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Whereas there are many JDM automobiles roaming the roads of the US (I drive one every day myself), they don't usually seem within the giant self-service automotive graveyards I frequent whereas researching this collection. Up to now, I've discovered an deserted 1979 Nissan Fairlady Z that was initially introduced in by an airman and that's about it. Then I bought phrase from a few of my native junkyard tipsters {that a} last-generation Cresta had proven up in a yard close to Denver, and I headed over there instantly.
U-Pull-and-Pay's stock system doesn’t have entries for automobiles by no means offered in the US, however no matter worker did the data-entry work for this automotive is aware of that a lot about JDM Toyotas. This was in order that this automotive might be listed beneath the identify closest to it. US-market associated: Cressida. The Cressida was offered right here through the 1992 mannequin yr, and was primarily based on the Cresta-sibling Toyota Mark II.
For many years, Japanese Toyota patrons may select between three trim ranges of the identical mid-size rear-wheel-drive (or all-wheel-drive, on the finish of the sport) sedan: the entry-level Mark II, the hot-rod Chaser And the luxurious Cresta. The final era of those vehicles had been constructed for the 1996 to 2001 mannequin years; After that, the Cresta was changed by the Verosa. These vehicles could have outsold Lexus LS in our Pacific area and Toyota was doubling SUV gross sales right here anyway, in order that they weren't offered in the US.
There's the G package deal, which features a bunch of consolation and comfort upgrades.
This automotive is right here as a result of it crashed, troublesome, Usually I wouldn't doc a automobile that’s bent past recognition, however you don't see JDM iron in American junkyards daily.
The airbags functioned accurately and the cabin remained primarily intact, whereas the physique construction did its job of absorbing the crash vitality. We hope all passengers are sporting their seat belts.
The engine is a 2.5-liter 1JZ straight-six, rated at 197 horsepower.
It seems that this era of Cresta could be purchased with a handbook transmission, however solely with the bottom 2.0-litre engine.
Its final proprietor swapped out some 18″ Lexus wheels for low-profile rubber ones.
The automotive doesn't share a lot with US-market Toyotas and Lexus, though it's doable a few of its unmashed mechanical parts might be discovered on a Lexus SC or late Cressida. A lot of the material inside seems fairly good, so maybe one other native Cresta proprietor will put it aside.
This era of Cresta was featured prominently within the “Nice Instructor Onizuka” anime collection 1 / 4 century in the past.
Within the late Nineties Toyota status pyramid the Cresta was under the Crown and Celsior, however above the Corona and Camry.
Makes you an unbeatable baseball pitcher.