Toyota may have appeared to be a latecomer to the hatchback trend as the automotive giant tended to cater for their conservative customer base. The company did release a hatchback Corona as early as 1965 but the brand was still treading water in Europe at the time and the few that did make it into Europe were eclipsed by the likes of the R16 and the BL Maxi.
However, Toyota Europe saw the market potential in a family hatchback and imported the T130 model into the UK in 1979 as a stand-alone model to complement the Cressida saloon and estate. Badged as a liftback, the Corona was fitted with a light and precise 5-speed gearbox mated to a 1.8-litre RWD set-up. Still short on talent in terms of handling and steering, it was at least styled with a touch of contemporary style.
Its undemanding character must have appealed to those who wandered into the dealership looking for a well-built and dependable family car. Success was somewhat stifled, resulting in just around 1,500 imports. Captured at the Silverstone Classic events ‘UK rarest cars’ stand curated by the magnificent Andrew Roberts, the owner bought the car as his father owned one but understandably had to be ultra patient in finding one as this is believed to be the only surviving automatic version registered on the roads.
This was the last Corona badged car to be imported by Toyota into the UK, as the Carina name was probably better known – both model names were closely aligned. The replacement T150 series fared better and Toyota established a decent market presence with the FWD Carina II, which arrived in 1984. This was the last Corona badged car to be imported by Toyota into the UK, as the Carina name was probably better known – both model names were closely aligned. The replacement T150 series fared better and Toyota established a decent market presence with the FWD Carina II, which arrived in 1984.