Quickride: 1976 Toyota Century

"Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW." (aya-yu)
09/06/2013 at 05:41 • Filed to: Quickride

So, my friend's garage that specialized on restoring old cars, got a special visitor today, a 1976 Toyota Century. And because I'm a big fans of a big saloon like this, i must pay a visit there.

So ya, the car is in bad shape, to be honest. But Still, it's a Century. For you that's wondering what is a Toyota Century, Century is a large four-door limo produced mainly for the Japanese market, serving as Toyota's flagship car. Production of the Century began in 1967 and the model received only minor changes until a redesign in 1997. The Century derived its name from the 100th anniversary of the birth of Sakichi Toyoda, the founder of Toyota Industries. The Century was available with only a V8 engine, the third Japanese built sedan post-war, at its introduction in 1967 until a major redesign in 1997, and is now only available with a Japanese built V12, an engine unique to the Century.

As you can see there, the interior was very neat for a Japanese car made in the 70's. Altough there's rust everywhere..

Here's da car's ass. There's a Mercedes back there, for a comparison. Looks like a cadillac, to be honest.

And this is the engine, 3L V8 producing 150hp+213lb-ft of torque back in it's heyday.

This is the front passenger cabin, feels like an American car. Especially with column mounted shifter..

All in all, the Century is very cool car. Especially it has the air suspension and vacuum operated doors before it was cool..

And just before i leave his garage, he show me another Century that waiting for his restoration.

I Wish my friend finish the car as soon as possible. I can't wait to ride it!

*Weird facts:
The road tax for this Century was 18 USD Per year in here..

DISCUSSION (6)

Babz > Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW.
09/06/2013 at 06:08

Really nice !

Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. > Babz
09/06/2013 at 06:13

Thank You!

505Turbeaux > Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW.
09/06/2013 at 07:32

So are both of those going to get saved? I sure hope so!

Since you are a fan of the big sedans I will post some pics of the 82 Maserati Quattroporte 3 I am picking up tomorrow! Got many of those in Indonesia?

Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. > 505Turbeaux
09/06/2013 at 07:37

The white one is yes.
The black one will be a sleeper, because there's so little components that changed, he's looking for a probability to swap a newer V12 to there.

Maserati is very rare in here, so I will be very interested in that!

505Turbeaux > Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW.
09/06/2013 at 07:39

such a great body profile on those, it will make a very good sleeper for sure!

Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. > 505Turbeaux
09/06/2013 at 07:45

Ya.
Coupled that with TRD's 5L V12 Biturbo producing 550hp.

But honestly I love how the century looks with a sagging air suspension :D