77 Toyota Corolla liftback

Hey guys,

I have the opportunity to buy a nice 77 Toyota Corolla liftback from a friend at work. It is in good shape from what I remember the last time I saw it. The problem is I know almost nothing about these cars. I did like it the last time I saw it about 7-8 months ago while it was a rolling restoration. The seller has done tons of work to it, and was offering it to me at $2500 a year or so ago which had me interested, but with the deposit I had on the 73 RX-3 wagon I didn't want to move on anything. Now the seller of the liftback called me out of the blue on Monday, and said give me a whole lot less than he was asking before, and it was mine. Turns out he is liquidating everything automotive, and just wants it done. I just need to get it off of Nantucket now as I think it is a great deal, but what do you guys think?

For the record it is an SR5 with the five speed, and 2TC engine.

Here is a pic or two:

If it's as solid as it looks I'd buy it for $2500 in a second and sort it out later. If it's less than that, you can make a few bucks pedaling it to people on here. Like me.

Check for rust - that's the biggest issue with the old Corollas. Everything else is easily fixable.

I always liked that style of Corolla... and car in general

Yeah, at that price (or less, like he said) if you decide you don't want it, one of us would take it off your hands in a heartbeat.

FGC, how about a Corona instead? http://fayar.craigslist.org/cto/3542137599.html

I would buy the E36 M3 out of that car.

needless to say... at least as far as the photos you've shown us... $2500 or, much less, is likely a sound investment.

The "T" engine series is a hemi based 1600. There are still rebuild parts, and performance parts available

I could see myself owning that car.

Dr. Hess wrote: FGC, how about a Corona instead? http://fayar.craigslist.org/cto/3542137599.html

Way cool. I wonder what it would take to put a manual transmission in it..I've heard the 20R is a really common engine (I don't know much Toyota, most of my Japanese experience is Datsun/Honda), but finding the 3-ppedal bracket & interior trim seems like it'd be difficult. Of course, you could always just polish it up and cruise. How does one say, "..all my friends know the Low Rider.." in Japanese?

How do you guys think this car would compare with a 77 Datsun 510? I owned one for a while a few years back, and liked it, but was less than enthused by the non-cross flow head and SU carbs I swapped on.

Chris

If you want a performance car, buy an Elise.

That 2TC Rolla is a good car for what it is and the era. The T block motor is capable of crazy HP if you have crazy $.

Not asking for performance. Just a comparison between it and the Datsun of the same year.

Your Datsun probably would have been happier with webber carbs, I know mine was

I had a corolla with a 3TC as my first car, it had 200k miles on it and still ran strong.

So close... that's the rolla I want, just not a hatch/liftback.

Dude, you need to get this...that thing is awesome!

HEY-O! That's purty. Like a Toyota version of those Volvo Flying Brake Things. Man, my tastes have changed after the big4-0. Buyit, buyit, buyit.

I'm with wheelsmithy. Buy the hell out of it!

Believe it ot not, I'd rock that just the way it is! What a cool car. If you don't buy that you are hereby banished to a Model T forum.

Add me to the list of buyers if you pass.

wheelsmithy wrote: HEY-O! That's purty. Like a Toyota version of those Volvo Flying Brake Things. Man, my tastes have changed after the big4-0. Buyit, buyit, buyit.

+1. Especially since I happen to own one of those "Volvo Flying Brake Things" (1973 1800ES).

If I didn't already have way more cars than time/space, I'd be all over that Toyota. Looks awesome!

Buy it.

If you don't buy it then for the love of god pass the source on to someone here. I at least want to read about its adventures in a build thread.

What is involved in getting off on Nantucket? Is it just a ferry ride, or more involved? I've never been there. It is a neat little car, and worth the effort.

In reply to pinchvalve:

According to Google maps, there is a ferry that runs out of Hyannis, MA.

Wow, how do you keep finding all these cars on the islands?

That Corolla is really cool, and I can safely say that I've never seen one before. And I agree, it looks like a P1800es, which is a good thing. Buy it now and add it to your fleet of awesome Japanese insanity.