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Top Greatest 10 Old Toyota Cars
December 17, 2024
Toyota has a long, vivid history brimming with cars that have truly made their mark. That’s why we’ve pulled together a top-5 list of the best Toyota cars ever created.
Founded back in 1937, Toyota Motor Corporation has spent over 80 years developing and perfecting vehicles of all shapes and sizes—from those early days turning out Toyota old cars to the sleek new models we see rolling off the line today. Lately, you can really tell the company is back to building exciting machines, a shift highlighted by the revival of iconic nameplates like the Toyota 86 and, more recently, the 2020 Supra.
They’re not slowing down, either: the Toyota 86, for instance, has been rumored to transition onto Toyota’s innovative GA-B platform, signaling big performance potential in the near future. For fans who still adore the magic of an old Toyota, this return to fun, “non-boring” cars is definitely something to cheer about.
With Toyota’s new GA-B platform on the horizon, now seems like the perfect moment to reminisce about the five greatest vehicles Toyota has ever produced. Over the decades, these legendary models have kicked off new trends and captured the hearts of automotive fans all across the globe.
Quick heads-up though: our list is bound to feature a few old Toyota icons—some Toyota old cars that weren’t even sold locally but still played a massive role in shaping Toyota’s story. With that in mind, let’s dive right into the top five greatest Toyota cars of all time, in no particular order.
1. Toyota Supra Mark IV A80 1993
Arguably Toyota’s most iconic performance badge, the Supra—particularly the fourth-generation Mark IV—perfectly showcases the brand’s engineering genius. Under the hood, this legendary sports car boasts the famed 2JZ engine, which in its prime embarrassed far pricier machines like the Porsche 911 Turbo 993.
Today, Mark IV Supras are either stashed away by collectors who know they’ll appreciate in value, or turned into monstrous builds that can pump out staggering amounts of power. Thanks to that seemingly indestructible 2JZ straight-six, this star of Toyota old vehicles can handle 500 to 600 horsepower with turbos, superchargers, or both—while still being practical enough for daily driving. Pretty wild, especially when you consider how many times it still pops up in used cars listings, just waiting for the right buyer to snap it up.
2. Old Toyota: Toyota Hilux 1988
Even by today’s standards, the Toyota Hilux is a sought-after utility truck, thanks to its all-around capability, toughness, and level of comfort. But if you look back to a 1988 model—one of those Toyota old vehicles—its legendary durability becomes even more jaw-dropping.
On a well-known motoring TV show, they tried everything under the sun to destroy a 1988 Hilux: drowning it in the ocean, banging it down a flight of stairs, crashing it into trees, even dropping a mobile home on top of it, before finally parking it atop a building rigged for demolition. After all that, this old Toyota needed only a few minor tweaks and was soon purring again.
Such feats cemented the ’88 Hilux’s status among Toyota old cars as the “Immortal.” Even today, when you go hunting through used cars listings, people talk about that legendary reliability and the Hilux’s uncanny knack for defying destruction.
3. Toyota AE86 Sprinter Trueno
Boiled down to its roots, the legendary Toyota AE86 is basically a spruced-up Corolla—a humble runabout that once graced dealership lots as a simple, everyday car. Even top-tier versions like the GT and Trueno Apex only packed about 128 horsepower at most. Why, then, has this old Toyota become such a powerhouse in the eyes of enthusiasts?
Part of its fame comes from being the poster child in that beloved motorsport manga and anime series, Initial D. It showed everyone that raw horsepower isn’t the sole ingredient for success in certain racing disciplines; handling and balance can matter more. Being lightweight (under a ton) and rear-wheel-drive gave it the playful agility to break the rear tires loose and drift at will. Add in that high-revving 4AGE engine—capable of climbing to 10,000 RPM with the right mods—and you had a recipe for a genuine giant-slayer. It’s no wonder that folks still chase down Toyota old cars like the AE86, either for weekend track fun or as collectible used cars that bring classic JDM vibes to modern roads.
And if all that isn’t impressive enough, the AE86 even managed a few triumphs in Europe’s Touring Car Championship between 1984 and 1988, beating out big-name luxury rides on their home turf. That’s how a modest Toyota old vehicle snuck past the likes of BMW and Mercedes, leaving them in utter shock.
4. Toyota Old Cars: Toyota Land Cruiser BJ 1950
Here’s a story that might surprise you: the iconic Land Cruiser got its start thanks to a captured American Willys Jeep during wartime. After examining and reverse-engineering that durable little machine, Toyota built a “Jeep” prototype known as the BJ Land Cruiser. By the 1950s, Toyota was mass-producing these robust off-roaders for the U.S. military, proving the brand could make a workhorse that handled just about anything.
Once the conflict ended, the Land Cruiser evolved into a civilian model and found its way into global markets. That gave Toyota a solid footing for its reputation as a builder of rugged, reliable rigs. This old Toyota 4x4 opened the floodgates for Toyota old vehicles to become known worldwide for toughness and unwavering dependability. Many Land Cruisers from that era still pop up in used cars listings today—and they’re still sought after by folks who crave no-frills capability.
5. Old Toyota: Toyota Celica 2000 GT (1973)
Imagine you’re a big American car manufacturer in the ’70s, confident that no foreign brand could steal the thunder of your heavy-displacement, thirsty muscle coupes. Then along comes Toyota with the Celica 2000 GT, a light, efficient, and stylish liftback that borrowed design cues from American pony cars but offered a seriously competitive power-to-weight ratio and better fuel economy. It took the fight straight to the Yanks on their home field.
Nowadays, this Toyota old vehicle is a legitimate classic. With its timeless looks, straightforward mechanicals, and crowd-pleasing performance, the Celica 2000 GT carved out its place in history. It was also part of Toyota’s grand entry into global markets and set the tone for what the company would become in the years to follow.
So there you have it—our pick of the top five Toyota old cars that left an indelible mark on automotive culture. Every one of these used cars, from the immortal AE86 to the trusty Land Cruiser, helped shape Toyota’s legacy as a brand that loves pushing boundaries.
Going Deeper: Another Top 5 List of Legendary Old Toyota Cars
If the first five models showcased Toyota's shift to performance and global toughness, this next tier of classic Toyota cars proves the breadth and depth of the manufacturer’s engineering genius. When searching for the definitive list of old Toyota cars, many more old Toyota models beyond the popular Supra and Land Cruiser deserve recognition. These five classic Toyota cars represent key milestones in the brand's journey, from its first sports car to its defining luxury sedan.
6. Toyota Century (First Generation, 1967)
- The Definitive Luxury Toyota Vintage Cars Name: The Century stands alone as Japan’s ultimate flagship luxury sedan, essentially the Japanese Rolls-Royce. It was named to commemorate the 100th birthday of Sakichi Toyoda, the founder of Toyota Industries.
- Legacy: Reserved almost exclusively for the Japanese Imperial Family, top-tier executives, and government officials, this old Toyota model represented prestige and conservative, stately elegance. The first generation was the only Japanese passenger car of the era to be equipped with air suspension. This unique Toyota vintage cars name showcases a side of the company focused on absolute, uncompromising comfort and quiet power.
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7. Toyota Celica GT-Four (ST185/ST205, 1989-1999)
- WRC Legend: While the standard Celica was on the first list, the Celica GT-Four is a beast in its own right and a highly collectible classic Toyota car. Built for World Rally Championship (WRC) homologation, these turbocharged, all-wheel-drive models dominated the rally stage in the early 1990s.
- Legacy: The GT-Four lineage, especially the ST185, brought Toyota its first WRC constructor's titles. This old Toyota car featured advanced technology for its time, including water-to-air intercoolers, cementing its place as an iconic JDM (Japanese Domestic Market) performance hero and one of the most exciting old Toyota cars of the 90s.
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8. Toyota Corolla (First Generation, E10 - 1966)
- The Global Bestseller: The Corolla nameplate is the highest-selling car nameplate of all time, and it all began with this modest early Toyota model. Launched in 1966, the E10 was designed to be an affordable, reliable "people's car" for the Japanese middle class.
- Legacy: It proved the critical formula for Toyota’s worldwide success: quality, durability, and reliability (QDR). Its immediate success in exports turned Toyota into a global volume player, making this simple sedan one of the most historically significant old Toyota models ever produced.
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9. Toyota Starlet (First Generation, P40/P60 - 1973)
- The Original Hot Hatch Foundation: The Starlet began as a small, sporty subcompact car and evolved into a popular, lightweight platform. It was known for its playful, rear-wheel-drive dynamics (in earlier generations) and later for its turbocharged versions (like the EP71/82).
- Legacy: It built a massive following in both racing and rallying due to its reliability and low weight. The Starlet is beloved by enthusiasts looking for fun, accessible Toyota vintage cars, offering a true grassroots racing experience that laid the groundwork for future small performance models.
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10. Toyota Publica (First Generation, P10 - 1961)
- The True People's Car: The Publica represents a critical step in early Toyota models It was an ultra-basic, low-cost car created to comply with the Japanese government's "National Car" concept, making motoring accessible to the masses.
- Legacy: While extremely simple, it was the foundation upon which many later successful models were built, including the Sports 800 (which was based on the Publica platform). This old Toyota car proved Toyota’s ability to engineer highly economical and dependable transport, ensuring the company's place in the mass market.
Car Rookie Corner: Shopping for a New or Used Car in Canada
Car Rookie is a car shop in Canada that doesn’t just deal with one type of vehicle. From brand-new models hitting the market to that perfect used car you’ve been eyeing, their selection spans a wide variety of makes and models—including Toyota old vehicles for the classics-loving crowd. If you’re searching for something capable like a Land Cruiser for winter roads or an iconic Celica for weekend drives, Car Rookie is a great place to start your journey.
Before finalizing any purchase, it’s smart to research each vehicle’s history and get a thorough inspection—especially if you’re considering an older Toyota. But once you land on the right set of wheels, you’ll see why Toyotas, both old and new, have earned such a devoted following. With Car Rookie’s range of options, finding a car that fits your lifestyle is simpler than ever. Here’s to happy car hunting in Canada!
FAQs
Which old Toyota cars are considered the most iconic classic Toyota cars for collectors?
The most sought-after old Toyota models for collectors are typically the high-performance and extremely rugged models. These include the Toyota Supra Mark IV (A80), the Toyota 2000GT (often considered the Japanese supercar pioneer), the Toyota AE86 Sprinter Trueno (due to its drifting fame), and the early-generation Toyota Land Cruiser (like the FJ40/FJ60).
What is the most valuable and rare Toyota vintage cars name?
The most valuable and rare Toyota vintage cars name is the Toyota 2000GT (1967-1970). Only 351 units were produced globally. A 1967 Toyota-Shelby 2000GT holds the record as the most expensive Toyota ever sold at auction, exceeding $2.5 million, making it the ultimate classic Toyota car investment.
What were the very first early Toyota models produced?
The very first early Toyota models were developed in the mid-1930s when the company was still a division of Toyoda Automatic Loom Works. The first passenger car was the Toyoda Model AA sedan (1936), followed closely by the Model AB Phaeton. These models mark the absolute beginning of the old Toyota cars lineage.
Which old Toyota model is known for its extreme toughness and reliability?
The Toyota Land Cruiser (especially the BJ and FJ series from the 1950s and 60s) and the Toyota Hilux pickup truck (particularly the 1980s models) are globally legendary for their virtually indestructible durability. The Hilux earned its reputation for surviving extreme abuse, cementing its status among the toughest old Toyota cars.
Why do performance enthusiasts specifically search for the Toyota old cars name "AE86"?
Enthusiasts search for the Toyota old cars name "AE86" because it represents a pure, lightweight, and rear-wheel-drive sports coupe (a variant of the Corolla/Sprinter). Its fame was amplified by the Initial D anime/manga series, turning this specific classic Toyota car into a global icon for drifting and grassroots motorsport.
Are there any affordable classic Toyota cars or Toyota vintage cars for a beginner collector?
Yes, while models like the 2000GT are out of reach, more affordable classic Toyota cars include the first-generation Toyota MR2 (AW11), certain models of the Toyota Celica from the 1970s and 80s, and various generations of the Toyota Corolla. These old Toyota models offer great classic styling and renowned Toyota reliability without the supercar price tag.
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