It is believed that the car is one of two remaining roadworthy examples in the United Kingdom.
Robin Shepherd spotted the 1972 Toyota Crown 2600 De Luxe in the UK countryside around Dunsfold. He stopped by a shop to inquire about purchasing it. Shepherd didn’t know that Nick Garrick, his close friend, was the grandson of Percy Cole and Ethel Cole, the original owners of this Crown.
Some of you may be asking what a Toyota Crown 2600 De Luxe actually is. This is a valid question because Toyota stopped shipping these cars to the U.S. and the U.K. in 1974. The Toyota Crown is the most popular nameplate in Toyota’s stable. It was introduced in 1955 and is still serving the Japanese market . Outside Japan, the current Crown’s foundations can be found in the Lexus GS.
The fourth-generation Crown is so fascinating because it was far ahead of its time. Electronically controlled automatic transmissions and anti-lock brakes were definitely cutting-edge features for 1972. The Crown was unique because it featured integrated front and back bumpers, a design trend that would not become commonplace for many years.
Unfortunately, Toyota’s early 1970s buyers weren’t ready to buy such cars. The U.K. sales were slow and the U.S. sales were worse. This is why the Crown was eventually pulled from these markets. According to Toyota, this Crown 2600 De Luxe may be the only one in the U.K. still roadworthy.
The car was bought new in 1972 at PS2,303 (roughly $2,000.00) and lived a comfortable, well-kept existence under the care of Percy & Ethel. According to the dealer-supplied “running-in” sticker, the car was kept in a garage and only traveled 30 mph when it was being paraded around the Surrey Hills. It has a 2.6-liter Inline Six that produces 140 horsepower and has done just over 65,000 miles.
Percy Cole Jr. eventually took ownership of the car and kept it in storage for another ten years. It sat in total disrepair until October 2016, when it was finally sold by the family. Enter Shepherd. He bought the car and took care of some minor maintenance issues. The old Toyota was then road-legal.
This car isn’t just unique because of its rarity. Every old car has a unique story, but these stories often get lost with the passing of time. Nick Garrick, Shepherd ‘s friend, was the one who rode in this exact car back when it was brand new. Shepherd and Garrick were both present at a photo shoot for Toyota’s blog. It featured the vintage Crown as it celebrated its 45th anniversary.
Although we don’t know the price Robin Shepherd paid for this Toyota rare car, many people find it to be a valuable resource.