When TLV released these Toyota Crowns, I initially ordered this "Crown Custom". While I've been referring to them as Crown wagons, reading what's on the box, these things are still called "vans". lol
Until recently, I thought all three Crown vans were same casting with different colors? Well, the Crown Custom in the link is a '71, and according to the notes inside the Taiyo ni Hoero box, this Crown is 73/74, and indeed there are minor changes(I recommend checking out the Crown Custom first).
I still prefer the '71 Crown Custom, but very glad to add this to my collection as well. Nice design. :)
May I ask, what are the differences between the "Taiyo Ni Hoero" Crown Custom and the '71 Crown Custom, design-wise? The detailing looks good either way, but the way you put makes it seem like the '71 would be the go-to model if you're into car collecting...
ReplyDeleteI haven't taken a close look, but right off the bat, front end grille/lights & rear end around the taillights are totally different.
DeleteIf you compare the very last shot from this post that shows front/rear with the last shot from the following link, you'll be able to see the design change: http://minicarpics.blogspot.com/2015/10/tomica-limited-vintage-neo-lv-n108b.html
Thanks for clarifying, I can see it better now; the front grille on the older model is rounder and lacks the divided grille of the Taiyo model. The rear is indeed different as well, with a simpler taillight cluster on the Taiyo model, compared to the one-piece design on the 1971 model. In essence, the overall design of the 1971 is more complex in the rear but simpler in the front, but at the same time it looks slightly better as a result...
Delete'71 looks perfect to me. Beautiful design. Has French look to it? I bet she had a European designer.
DeleteI can agree, the older Custom Wagon does stand out more with its lavish design details. From what I've read about it, there doesn't seem to be any sort of French involvement in the Crown's designing process... it would seem that it's a 100% Japanese effort, which is rather nice in all due honesty.
DeleteAnd people can create some very interesting things out of it; I just found this modified example which features a Toyota 1UZ-FE V8 engine! http://www.speedhunters.com/2015/09/the-japanese-muscle-wagon/
Very original & clean looking design. I'm glad to hear that it was a domestic design!
DeleteWell, Japan can create some very good designs with the right inspirations; after all, there is a reason why the Toyota Century still maintains such a elegant image after all these years of production...
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