1965 Toyota Crown Deluxe RS41 Sedan

Description

The Toyota Crown has been produced in Japan since 1955 aimed primarily at the domestic and select Asian markets.  Introduced in 1955 as the Toyopet Crown, it has served as the mainstream sedan from Toyota in the Japanese market throughout its existence and holds the distinction of being the longest-running passenger-car nameplate affixed to any Toyota model, along with being the first Toyota vehicle to be exported to the United States in 1958.  The Crown has long been popular for official use in Japan as government cars and police cars, and for taxis.  Australia was at one time an important export market for the Crown, to the extent that it was manufactured here from the mid-1960s until the late 1980s using many local components.  Introduced in 1962, the second-generation Crown (known as the S40) was a larger car than the long-running original model, positioned as a more upmarket car than the recently announced Corona.  Initially powered by a four-cylinder engine, Toyota added a 2-litre in-line six in 1965.  The S40 became the first Toyota Crown assembled in Australia, built-up from CKD (Completely Knocked Down) kits by Australian Motor Industries in Port Melbourne alongside the Tiara and its’ successor - badged the Corona - with significant local content.  Australian Crowns all featured the same 1900cc motor developing 95 horsepower at 5000rpm with a choice of either three-speed column-shift manual or two-speed ‘Toyoglide’ transmissions.  The Crown’s suspension could soak up the worst country roads in Australia and the chassis proved remarkably competent when it came to cornering, helped by coil springs all round and independent front suspension.  The S40 Crown’s handsome styling was clearly influenced by contemporary American car design, while the nicely-appointed interior was well-equipped for the price.  Toyota ultimately took a controlling interest in AMI in 1968 and the company was eventually re-branded as AMI Toyota Ltd in 1985, becoming the heart of Toyota’s local operation for many years.