1967 Toyota Corona 1600 GT5 Coupe

Description

Marking a return to the American market for the first time in several years, Toyota’s third generation Corona was launched in September 1964 and was available in a wide variety of body styles including a sedan, hardtop, hatchback and station wagon plus a range of commercials.  The hero model of the range was the RT55 hardtop powered by a twin-cam 1600 motor using a modified version of the DOHC all-alloy cylinder head designed by Yamaha for the exotic 2000GT sports car.  Dubbed the 9R, the special little engine had 9:1 compression ratio, was fed by twin double-choke Solex-Mikuni 40mm carburettors and developed 110 horsepower at 6200rpm.  Mated to a floor-mounted four-speed gearbox (a  slick five-speed gearbox was optional and cars so-equipped are badged GT-5), Toyota also beefed up the Corona’s suspension with re-calibrated springs and shocks plus two torque rods to locate the back axle.  Available in a limited range of colours, buyers could choose from Pegasus White, Solar Red, Thunder Silver and Bellatrix Yellow and the exterior was enhanced by grilles on either front guard, while interiors were decked out in very period black vinyl dressed up with bucket seats and a woodgrain steering wheel.  Often referred to as the 2000GT’s little brother, the 1600 GT was a direct competitor for the Nissan Bluebird SSS, Prince Skyline 2000 and Isuzu Bellett GT and stacked up well against the best European sports saloon of the era such as Alfa’s Giulia Super, proving its mettle on the racetrack.  Just 2,222 RT55 Corona’s left Toyota’s factory and original survivors are few and far between, particularly here in Australia where the model was never officially marketed.