A time-warp-condition 1972 Toyota Crown 2600 Automatic De Luxe saloon (MS65 chassis code) with less than 60,000 miles on the odometer has recently been recommissioned after languishing for more than 25 years in storage.
This is the whistle-stop story of an incredibly rare UK car, as documented through its paperwork and relayed by the grandson of the original owner.
1972 Toyota Crown: a trip down memory lane
The last time Nick Garrick (below) sat in the back of this 1972 Toyota Crown he was 12 years old and his grandparents, Percy and Ethel Cole, were in the front seats. Clearly moved by the opportunity to relive a past he thought was consigned to history, his eyes dart across various features of the dark vinyl interior. Memories of shapes and textures, buttons he wasn’t allowed to touch, the sights and sounds of day trips away – all come flooding back.
Nick recalls that the Toyota was something of a spontaneous purchase for his grandfather. Dissatisfied with a similar model from a British manufacturer, Mr. Cole saw the futuristic-looking Crown in the window of his local Toyota dealer in Ewhurst, Surrey, and immediately arranged a part-exchange deal.
The exotic new fourth-generation Toyota Crown was delivered on 1 February 1972 and went on to enjoy the life of a pampered royal. Always dry-stored when not in use, it rarely ventured far from the family farm in nearby Dunsfold and was rarely pushed beyond a leisurely 30mph. Indeed, Mr. Cole kept the dealership’s running-in sticker in the rear window as a visible excuse for driving slowly.
Particular he may have been but Mr. Cole had an infectious enthusiasm for his Crown, a feeling no doubt inherited from his father who owned the previous generation model. With both father and grandfather acting as ambassadors for Toyota’s flagship saloon, when it came time for Percy’s son to choose a car, he followed the family tradition and purchased a fifth-generation Crown coupe from the same Surrey dealership. Three generations of Cole family and three generations of Crown family must have made for an extraordinary convoy.
Percy Junior stored and maintained this Crown for more than a decade after his father’s death. Not long after the turn of the century, however, the car was left in the family’s storage facility and remained there untouched until October 2016.
1972 Toyota Crown: the reappearance
After it had spent more than 25 years in a sedentary state, the Cole family finally decided to try and recommission the Crown in preparation for sale. Perhaps assuming that all it needed was a fresh MoT certificate, the Toyota was resuscitated and taken to a nearby garage. It failed the test on a handful of minor notes, none of which the family was keen to spend too much money rectifying. So the Crown was parked in the garage lot while they decided how to proceed.
Fortunately, a solution was not long in forthcoming. Classic vehicle enthusiast Robin Shepherd (above) was on his usual commute when he spotted the Crown within a stone’s throw of his workplace. Stunned by its looks and recognising that it’s not every day you see one of these models, he stopped off to learn more. After ascertaining that the Crown was potentially for sale, Robin snapped it up for a fair price and became its proud new owner.
Minor issues such as blown bulbs, binding rear drum brakes and a small hole in the original exhaust system were promptly fixed. The Crown was now road legal again; ready to cruise serenely around the Surrey Hills – with the running-in sticker still displayed as an excuse for driving slowly.
In a fascinating turn of events, Robin later learned that Nick Garrick, close friend and fellow classic motorcycle enthusiast, is the grandson of the car’s original owner. Our photoshoot also took place on the 45th anniversary of the Crown’s first registration.
Learn more: History of the Toyota Crown
1972 Toyota Crown 2600 De Luxe: specifications
| Engine | 4M, six-cylinder, single overhead camshaft, with aluminium alloy crossflow cylinder head; bore 80mm, stroke 85mm, capacity 2,563cc, compression ratio 8.5:1. Maximum power 140bhp at 5,200rpm; 164 lb/ft torque at 3,800rpm. Two-barrel downdraught carburettor with automatic choke |
| Transmission | Toyoglide three-speed automatic gearbox |
| Steering | Recirculating ball type; collapsible steering column |
| Brakes | Servo-assisted, discs-front, drums-rear. Dual-acting master cylinders |
| Suspension | Front, independent with coil springs, wishbones, double-acting shock absorbers and anti-roll bar. Rear, live axle, trailing arms and coil springs, double-acting shock absorbers. Pressed-steel wheels with 175/80 R14 radial-ply tyres |
| Weights and measures | Overall length, 4,680mm; width, 1,690mm; height, 1,440mm; wheelbase, 2,690mm; track, front 1,392mm; rear 1,382mm; turning circle, 11m; kerb weight, 1,311kg; fuel tank capacity, 70 litres |
Lovely looking Crown. This has always been my favourite Toyota. I’d buy it if it were for sale here in Seattle Washington U.S.A.
Hi Jason …. I noticed your comment regarding a 1972 Toyota Crown back on Feb 17, 2017. I have a 1971 Crown with 32,000 miles on it and I live in Seattle WA. Interested in talking?
I’m from Gig Harbor. Just south of Seattle. Whereabouts in Seattle do you live? Do you still have the Crown?
I regret that I’m not in the market to buy a car. But assuming you still have the Toyota Crown, I’d be very much interested in at least having a look at the car. I’m in Gig Harbor, just south of Seattle. What do you say? 🙂
Thanks for the great write up Toyota UK, this certainly does seem a very rare car here in the United Kingdom.
DVLA records show only 2 cars of this vintage registered here and that doesn’t specify whether saloon, hardtop or estate so it would be interesting to hear from other owners of fourth generation pre-facelift models.
Whilst I am the proud new owner, the reality is that I will not be keeping the car for long. I already have a collection of classic Italian motorcycles and old Citroens so storage space and the time to use the Crown is going to be tight. Hopefully it`s rarity, condition and wonderful provenance will appeal to someone who lusts after a unique and potentially concourse piece of early Japanese automotive history to cherish, show and occasionally `cruise`.
Hello Robin, I have recently imported one from Australia . 40,000 miles ifn fine original condition. If you send me your email I will send some photos.
Geoff
Hi Geoff,
We’re very sorry, but unfortunately, we are unable to publish external email addresses on the blog.
I have inherited a Toyota Crown Estate 2600 1978 in excellent condition however it been the garage for 5 years and not been use with less the 70k mileage.
All is original on the vehicle down to the paint.
I’m looking to sell it any ideas how I would go about it?
Hi Richard,
Thanks for contacting us. Please could you send us some photos and further information on your vehicle via Facebook (https://www.messenger.com/t/toyotauk) or Twitter direct message (@ToyotaGB).
My Dad had one of these! Cream with a brown vinyl roof. TKP 961N was the registration. The kit that it came with was unbelievable for the time..self seeking radio, electric mirrors, air con, fridge, the list went on! At this time Fords were being offered with reversing light as an optional extra! It was mega reliable too. His friend had a K reg one in exactly the same colour as this one featured. Both based in Dartford, Kent in the mid 70s.
My father had the same 1972 Crown in white in Nigeria, reg LSA 3729 I distinctly remember it being very roomy and comfortable. We loved the oval tail lights, would love to own a piece of history
Good to know about 1972 Toyota Crown and some interesting fact.
Hi Moe,
Thank you for your kind words!
Hi Sajid,
Thank you for sharing this with us, what lovely memories you must have with your Toyota Crown!
Hi Jon,
This is lovely to hear and thank you for sharing your story with us.
This is the best model toyota crown ever made. My uncle bought one from uk in 1976. N imported it here in mauritius. It was so marvelous n roomy. The 6 cylinder torque is so good . Personally i still dream of owning one these days. The model is still fabulous n fashionable. Ours was green metallic , automatic , 2600 cc super saloon .
Hi Shailen,
Thanks for getting in touch. What lovely memories you must have with the Toyota Crown. Do you still own it?
Thanks.
Hi. Sorry for my late reply. It is unfortunately out of reach and may be offroad . It was sold in 1978 which i really regret. It was my uncle’s decision in those days. But if ever i come across one in uk or elsewhere, i may consider to buy one. No car of today can match this styling. Thanks
Hi Shailen,
Thanks for getting back in touch. We’re sorry to hear you miss it so much. We hope to see you back behind the wheel of one in the future. You can find out more about the history of the Toyota Crown here: https://mag.toyota.co.uk/history-of-the-toyota-crown
Thanks.