Random # 271: 1980 Celica Lift-Back

This lovely - and quite clearly original - 1980 LT Celica fastback joins two other Toyotas from the same year on the UMPH site. The first is an immaculate yellow Celica coupe (https://uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com/2018/11/random-251-1980-toyota-celica-lt.html), the second a Corona sedan (https://uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com/2018/11/random-252-1980-toyota-corona.html?q=corona).

The fact that three 1980 Toyotas are still on the road doing stirling service probably won't surprise anyone, given the manufacturer's reputation for building bullet-proof cars. However, it is sort of interesting that all three examples mentioned sport BK rego-prefixes and so presumably all rolled out of Co-Op Toyota's show rooms within months, if not weeks, of each other.

The liftback featured here was in amazingly good condition, especially considering the near forty years it's been around. The same's also true of the other two Toyotas I've just mentioned.

There is a lot to be said for the reliability and build quality of Toyotas. For my money, however, the marque has progressed to the point that they're now builders of appliances rather than cars, producing the blandest, most anaemic and boring conveyances that that you could never hope to own! Reliable, safe and easy to drive? Sure. Exciting (interesting, even)? Not even a little bit!

To be fair, this is almost certainly true of all mainstream car manufacturers. Sad. But true.

"Fabulous classic Toyota Camry," will say no one, ever, in all eternity! Kid yourself otherwise but you know I'm right!

U M P H

(uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com.au.)

All iPhone images.

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EJ or EH Holden? (Up-dated December, 2022)

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Random # 301: Nanna-Spec KE36 Corolla

Once upon a time - six or seven years ago, actually - there was a lovely pale yellow GC Galant station wagon getting around Hobart. It was totally nanna-spec; its paint was umarked, the chrome work and hubcaps were immaculate, and its very original interior was pristine. Then someone stuck feathers in its dashboard. Next, the windows were adorned with Tibetan prayer flags. And a hubcap went missing. And the the rear bumper was pushed in, mangling the bodywork behind it. And a mudguard got dented. And rust set in. I fear for this sweet, innocent KE36 Corolla. Somebody please save it before it's too late. Nanna needs you to do it. U M P H (uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com.au.) Photos by GlamRock.

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