55 President What's it worth?

[rkapteyn]

Toyota started selling cars in the US the same year the "classic' 1957 STUDEBAKER Golden Hawk was sold and continued showing American car manufacturers how to build cars.

http://www.toyota-global.com/company/history_of_toyota/

[studeclunker]

From post #9
"Thankfully, for your buyer, '55 had the option of a twelve-volt system and the wiring harness is available for a reasonable cost."

Never heard that before, anyone else?

Read about it in Turning Wheels. They did a piece about the twelve volt system or something. In that article the author mentioned that the twelve-volt system was an option in '55 and standard in '56. I would peruse my own copies except they are in Fawn Lodge, 65 miles away. So, dig your own out (it would be in '05 or '06). You like perusing old TWs, admit it.

[Hallabutt]

Bob,

Don't get me wrong I'm the guy that put 275K miles on a 1974 Toyota Corolla. The car came with the now X-wife or I probably wouldn't have bought it, but the car's quality and longevity made me a believer! I'm just not into what I consider a grocery getter cars, so I was really amazed that my X had traded in a 1969 Mach I Mustang on the Toy. I'm well aware of the 2000GT, but I'm sure that Summer was not talking about that when she mentioned her "classic Toyota" business.

[r1lark]

Bob,

Don't get me wrong I'm the guy that put 275K miles on a 1974 Toyota Corolla. The car came with the now X-wife or I probably wouldn't have bought it, but the car's quality and longevity made me a believer! I'm just not into what I consider a grocery getter cars, so I was really amazed that my X had traded in a 1969 Mach I Mustang on the Toy. I'm well aware of the 2000GT, but I'm sure that Summer was not talking about that when she mentioned her "classic Toyota" business.

Just about all brands of cars have devotees. Yes, there is actually a fair amount of interest in vintage Toyotas in the US and abroad - the Land Cruisers, the '50s/'60s Crowns, 2000GTs, early Coronas, Stout trucks, Celicas, etc. Remember, some people look at our Studebakers and consider most of them as grocery getters too.

[SN-60]

Read about it in Turning Wheels. They did a piece about the twelve volt system or something. In that article the author mentioned that the twelve-volt system was an option in '55 and standard in '56. I would peruse my own copies except they are in Fawn Lodge, 65 miles away. So, dig your own out (it would be in '05 or '06). You like perusing old TWs, admit it.[ATTACH=CONFIG]47503[/ATTACH]

It's possible your thinking of the '8 volt' battery conversion offered by Studebaker dealers as a band aid to help remedy the hot (and cold) starting problems that many owners of new 1955 V8 Studebakers experienced.....These cars, with the larger engine introduced in the '55 models, just did not do well with 6 volt systems UNLESS those systems were maintained fastidiously. (Which most owners didn't do)

Studebaker, along with the rest of the domestic auto industry, realized the only REAL cure was to switch over from the antiquated 6 Volt system to a modern 12 Volt electrical system....They did just that in '56... and NEVER LOOKED BACK!!

[jnfweber]

What do you guys think?
I don't want to rip anyone off or ask a ridiculous amount and never sell it but I'd also hate to find out I sold an $8k car for $2k.

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1314983835&sk=photos&collection_token=1314983835%3A2305272732%3A69&set=a.10207624331469080.1073741830.1314983835&type=3&uploaded=1

I think $2,000 is just about right, considering that probably all 4 quarter and rocker panels and should be replaced, with some new flat glass and repairs to the interior, including carpets. Massive grill, bumpers, and headlamp rims look good from a distance, so don't know about re-chroming them. May need a new wiring harness, 6 or 12 volts would be okay, total conversion to 12 volts is not that difficult. Another $15,000 should make this a very desirable and solid coupe, much more stable than the hardtop models and with an economical, low-wear 259. I did not see an overdrive handle, that option would be a plus. Or you could just fill the rust-out areas with bondo, take it to Earl Schieb for a cheap paint job, and see if you could get $4,000. Or just put it on ebay as it is, with a "buy it now price" and see what happens

[dean pearson]

Not everyone has a Facebook account

Yup and glad. Wish I could look at the car tho.

Dean.

[yoshimitsuspeed]

Summer,
I like your 55, but I have several of my own and really need to move one myself. What are the floors and trunk floor like?

Don't misunderstand I'm not trying to be sarcastic, but what is a classic Toyota? Sorry but some of the old guys on the forum would have a hard time putting classic and Toyota together in the same sentence. I note from your web page the MR2, is there anything else that is collected? There used to be a club out of California that focused on Toyotas but the last time I looked it seems to have been disbanded. The reason I'm asking, I have a 1974 Corolla that I rung up 275K miles on before the valve seats went away and I couldn't hold a valve adjustment any more. It's been sitting outside for twenty years and I would virtually give it away but I've been unable to find anyone interested, other then a scrapper.

I haven't pulled the rear carpet or closely inspected the trunk but I did pull the front carpet to bleed the brakes and it looks really healthy. From underneath the back floors and trunk pan appear to be in great shape too.


There are a lot of classic Toyotas and as mentioned above it definitely comes down to finding the market or group who is into them. And for just about any Toyota you will find a small group devoted to them, even what we may consider a grocery getter. In fact it can be a lot of fun trying to do something unique. There are also some that are more unique or universally classic than others. My dad bought his FJ45 in the 70s. He gave it to me for a while in the 90s but I didn't have the money or time to care for it properly. I don't really talk to him anymore but some days I wish I still had the truck lol.
This isn't his, just one I pulled off Google.
Then like you mentioned the Infamous 2000GT.

Even Toyotas from the 70s and 80s are starting to take classic cult status.
I specialize in the 4AGE motor. This engine is pretty special and classic in it's self. It was pretty groundbreaking when it first came out and gave efficiency and hp/liter that very few motors could at the time. It then went on to be used in Formula Atlantic for a couple decades along with many other racing series like N2 and others.
These motors first came in the AW11 MR2 and AE86 Corolla so these are the two chassis I specialize in. Both have very devoted followings. The MR2 community is much smaller and naturally care more about handling and having a light quick car.
The AE86 Corolla has a much bigger following. Some of it originating in the racing scene like N2.

But even more than that it has a massive cult status in the drift scene. There is a movie called Initial D that probably has more than most would like to admit in influencing this status. And then there have been a few drifters very well known in the scene who drove Corollas and were often viewed as the underdog, running a much smaller much older car with less power.


Drifting partially aside many of the older Toyotas are a little more desirable being front engine rear wheel drive. This really separates them from the Japanese and or Economy car trend of front engine front wheel drive. Most would agree the latter is much less fun from a drivers perspective and if you do like hanging the back end out FF doesn't really do it well.

Oftentimes people will modify them to have a little more character. Sometimes building on the character of the era, sometimes implementing much more modern styles or trends.
Just another random pic I found online but I like it because it is just a simple old grocery getter with a little attention given to it and all of a sudden it's pretty cool and unique.


Then there are oddballs like me who don't really fit in anywhere.
This is my MK1 MR2. I call it the Japanarat. it sort of embodies my conflict of passions. I have always loved Japanese cars but I have always associated much more with the likes of the old Rat Rods and people like Ed Roth.
This is my Japanese Rat. With some small influences from things like Mad Max, Animes and Science Fiction books and movies hehe.





I suspect your 74 Corolla has a pretty solid value to the right person if it's healthy.
I actually really like the style. I might talk about partial trades but I think my fiancee might kill me if I take on another car.
You should email me your info and details on the car though. Maybe I can help you find someone who would really appreciate it.

http://matrixgarage.com/content/contact-us

- - - Updated - - -

Yup and glad. Wish I could look at the car tho.

Dean.

studeclunker posted most of the pics a little way up the page.

[yoshimitsuspeed]

Bob,

Don't get me wrong I'm the guy that put 275K miles on a 1974 Toyota Corolla. The car came with the now X-wife or I probably wouldn't have bought it, but the car's quality and longevity made me a believer! I'm just not into what I consider a grocery getter cars, so I was really amazed that my X had traded in a 1969 Mach I Mustang on the Toy. I'm well aware of the 2000GT, but I'm sure that Summer was not talking about that when she mentioned her "classic Toyota" business.

I'm actually a guy.
Don't feel bad though it happens all the time hehe. Hippy parents.
That's why I mostly stick with yoshi or yoshimitsuspeed online.

[yoshimitsuspeed]

I think $2,000 is just about right, considering that probably all 4 quarter and rocker panels and should be replaced, with some new flat glass and repairs to the interior, including carpets. Massive grill, bumpers, and headlamp rims look good from a distance, so don't know about re-chroming them. May need a new wiring harness, 6 or 12 volts would be okay, total conversion to 12 volts is not that difficult. Another $15,000 should make this a very desirable and solid coupe, much more stable than the hardtop models and with an economical, low-wear 259. I did not see an overdrive handle, that option would be a plus. Or you could just fill the rust-out areas with bondo, take it to Earl Schieb for a cheap paint job, and see if you could get $4,000. Or just put it on ebay as it is, with a "buy it now price" and see what happens

Thanks for the input.
I'll probably start high and see what happens.
Seriously thinking about Ebay. Maybe I'll throw it up with a decent reserve and see what comes back.

[Hallabutt]

Thanks for the information on where your car passion is focused. In the Seattle area have a drive-in, XXX in Issaquah, that has really become an international success as it caters to car groups about every weekend. There are several weekends that really stand out, but few are bigger then the import get together. It's an amazing conglomeration of mostly Japanese and German cars with a little of everything else sprinkled in. It's really exciting to see that young people still have a passion for the things that go fast and pollute just like so many generations that came before them!