Toyopet Crown with M-type engine
The “Crown” is Toyota’s well-known signature car, but Mr. Hisao Akakura owns the last generation called “Toyopet Crown,” which now retains its name only as a dealer. Although he has applied for an officially approved modified car, he has an extraordinary passion for the engine. We asked him to introduce his beloved car, which he has owned for about 36 years since he got it.
He insists on chain drive
The 19th Classic Car Meeting held on May 3, 2024, in Itoigawa City, Niigata Prefecture, featured a well-balanced display of 360cc era mini cars, as well as popular cars and sedans rarely seen elsewhere, making the venue feel a bit like an automobile museum. One of the domestic cars on display was this “Crown.
The Crown is a well-known signature model of Toyota. The current model is the talk of the town for its aggressive design that transcends conventional theories, and this is the third generation Crown, MS50 series, which was produced from 1967 to 1971. It is also the last generation to be called “Toyopet Crown,” a name that remains only as a dealer today.
“My car is a 1970 Super Deluxe. I got it in 1988, so I’ve had it for about 36 years now,”
said the owner, Mr. Hisao Akakura.
“The current mileage is about 288,000 km. The distance I have driven since it came to me is about 170,000 km.”
So, even considering the time frame in which he has owned the car, it has been running quite well. He has been a regular participant in this event since its inception.
“I participated once with a TE37 Levin, but the rest of the time I’ve been with this Crown. I also own another Crown, an early model in a different color.
So, he is truly living a life of a hobby car filled with love for Toyota. You have increased the mileage a lot, and your life with this Crown is going well, isn’t it?
“No, the car itself is in a lot of pain. The transmission has been overhauled twice, and I am currently driving it with a transplanted 4-speed A/T from a 105 (= 5th generation Crown). It has been in an accident. Even so, I have managed to repair it each time, hoping to keep it in dynamic preservation. As a result of various modifications, it is now an “officially approved modified car.”
Some owners convert the engine to a later 1G or JZ if they want to apply for the same certified modification, but Mr. Akakura wants to stick to the M-type engine family, which continued from the 2nd generation to the 8th generation.
“I would like to keep the M-type engine only until the end. I like chain drive, not timing belt drive.”