1979 Toyota Corona LE

Dependability and European car style made the Toyota Corona one of the company's best-selling front-engine, rear-wheel drive cars, and this unrestored 1979 LE sedan was among the first of the last generation sold in the U.S. before it was replaced by the front-wheel drive Camry in 1983. The four-door Corona sedan was sold in America alongside the five-door hatchback and station wagon, complete with town and country-style simulated wood-grain body side paneling.

The LE, in this case, stands for Luxury Edition. The top-of-the-line sedan came with a host of premium features including satin cloth upholstery, reclining front bucket seats with driver-side adjustable height and lumbar support, wall-to-wall carpeting, a Space Age digital quartz clock with time and date, an adjustable padded steering wheel and wood-grain accents. Optional air conditioning and an AM/FM pushbutton stereo radio offer an additional measure of four-season comfort and entertainment.

This unrestored collector example is powered by a 2.2L 20R 4-cylinder single overhead camshaft engine mated to an optional automatic transmission with center console floor shift. With transistorized ignition and hemispherical combustion chambers, the engine was factory rated for 90 HP. Recirculating ball power steering and MacPherson strut independent front suspension, along with a 4-link coil spring rear suspension and power assist front disc brakes, deliver a compliant ride and confident road control. The premium sedan comes with an owner's manual and warranty booklet, which enhance its collectability.