Even though there have been speed versions of the Toyota Corolla since the beginning, it’s not the first brand that comes to mind when you want to buy an exciting car. This prototype resembles the Corolla Levin, which was only sold in Japan and featured a twin-cam engine based on small Alfa Romeos. It looks good, is fun to drive, and since it’s an honor, you don’t feel bad about putting miles on it. Despite its powerful triple-turbo engine and advanced all-wheel-drive system, the smallest Toyota model still appears bland and unremarkable. Most people didn’t know that there were always a few more exciting econobox models hidden in plain sight or sometimes stashed abroad in the 1990s and early 2000s because so many of them were sold. Early Corollas with twin cameras, which were only sold in Japan, were just as cool as any tuned-up Datsun 510. Today’s Pick on Bring a Trailer, which is owned by Hearst Autos, the parent company of invoice-pricing, is a tribute to these loved but little-known Corollas. The 1972 United States Corolla 1600 features two carburetors and a double overhead camshaft. This little scrapper, with the chassis code TE27, will still make you laugh a lot, even though it won’t be as collectible as its Japanese cousin, the Corolla Levin. The Corolla Levin was based on the Alfa Romeo Giulia Junior. It had rear-wheel drive, a five-speed manual gearbox from the Celica, twin side-draft Mikuni carburetors, and a 1600-cc engine with a high compression ratio, producing approximately 115 horsepower. Toyota enthusiasts across the Pacific are passionate about these cars, and it’s not uncommon to see a dedicated owner park one beside a million-dollar 2000GT. This American-made car, which began as a 1600 coupe, may have been able to get by with around 90 horsepower at the time. Instead, the engine has been upgraded with two Mikuni carbs, new pistons, bearings, and rings, and a Japanese dual-cam cylinder head that is slightly too large. The repair, which was completed about six years ago, included installing a Koyorad radiator to enhance cooling and replacing the head gaskets. The suspension has been replaced with Techno Toy Tuning coil-overs and changeable camber plates. The wheels are now 15 inches and have 195-series tires on them. It states that it has traveled 78,000 miles. The exterior has been updated with modern LED headlights, darkened side mirrors, and two-tone bucket seats inside. There is some rust, but since the car is from California, it shouldn’t be too bad. In California, this car won first place in its class as the best old-school Corolla at the 2022 Long Beach Japanese Classic Car Show. It comes with a trophy, which you can put on your shelf, and the car is usually great. While this small olive green car has a charming look, it’s still just a Corolla at heart. Toyota built it to last, so go out and drive.
