When classic Toyotas garner attention, it’s mostly for sporty pony car clones like the first-generation Toyota Celica or eye-popping auction queens, such as the Toyota 2000 GT - opens in new window or tab.. There’s rarely a mention of the rest of the Japanese giant’s early North American efforts, such as the Toyota Corona Mark II, or the even more rare and gorgeous Corona Mark II wagon - opens in new window or tab. like the one currently listed on eBay Motors.
Much of Japanese product development traditionally centered around government efficiency regulations concerning size and engine displacement—with companies like Toyota, Nissan, and Mazda jostling for elbow room within the narrow confines of official rules. The Corona Mark II came out in 1968 as a way for Toyota to not only offer a larger car at home, but also to tap into international markets where the modestly proportioned original Corona—which sold alongside the top-tier Crown sedan—was not a legitimate option for Americans.
The Corona Mark II platform was versatile enough to spawn several variations, with this wagon serving as a perfect—and extremely rare—example. The second-to-last model year was 1971, a vintage with arguably the cleanest styling for this particular generation of the Mark II. The Corona was also the largest Toyota wagon offered to American buyers. (By the time the Mark II hit the export scene, the Toyota Crown wagon had been removed from showrooms.)
A 1.9-liter four-cylinder engine, dubbed the 18R, sits under the hood. The unit was offered exclusively in the Mark II, where it produced about 145 horsepower in US specifications. An automatic transmission feeds that output to the rear wheels, and the vehicle’s suspension is made up of a simple double-wishbone up front and leaf spring setup at the rear where you'll also find a live axle.
The particular Toyota Corona Mark II wagon now listed on eBay is an unusual find, because it was sitting for more than 30 years before a Toyota dealer purchased it from the family of the original owner so that it could be put on display. There’s a lot about the wagon that remains original—including all the factory trim options—with the interior having been reupholstered, and the exterior refinished. All manuals and tools that came stock with the Corona remain with the car, and the vehicle is entirely rust-free, according to the seller. That’s a big plus when dealing with early Japanese cars.
Very few of these Corona Mark II wagons were sold in the US, and not many survived past the first decade or so of North American winters. Buy this, and drive it to your next cruise night where you’ll never see another one like it. Or simply wrap it up in bubble tape and sell it for outrageous bucks at Barrett-Jackson 2035.
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