Introduced in 1966, the Corolla has gone on to be the best selling car range in the world. This, the 7th generation E100 was released in 1991, and replaced in 1995 making this a very late example.
It was redesigned to be larger and all the edges rounded and be far more aerodynamic, while under the skin carburettors were retired in favour of electronic fuel injection across the range.
Bought new in February 1996 from Bentley’s of Warrington in Cheshire, and around the time the new model was released, the three door Corolla stayed local for most of its life, heading back to the main dealer regularly until 2001 by which time it had only clocked up 22,000 miles and incredibly stayed with the same owner its entire life, covering just another 5000 miles in the last 20 years, the MOT history showing just 15 miles a year between tests, literally driving to and from the garage!
This particular vehicle has only been in the ownership of one family (mother and daughter) before being purchased by the vendor who is a Toyota enthusiast.
It has just been serviced and MOT’d in the last few Months and is ready to drive away.
The Toyota comes with its full dealer book pack and folder, including the owners manual and service book as well as the usual booklets that come with a new car and one about the then new and exciting airbag safety system.
The service book shows regular main dealer maintenance for almost all of the cars life, stopping only when the regular usage fell so low.
Open the doors and you could almost be stepping into a nearly new car. The cloth seats have no wear either to the fabric, bolsters or padding. Aside from a little shoe dirt in the drivers foot well, the carpets are excellent, again with no wear and tear and the pedals back up the mileage on the odometer. The only sign of use is the plastic drivers door pull which has scratched somewhat.
The dashboard is like new with no marks, cracks or scratches and the controls are like new. It still has the original radio cassette although the LCD has gone a little squiffy over time.
Being a GS it has decent spec with electric windows and sunroof fitted.
The panels of the Toyota are stunning. The metalwork has no dings or dents and there's no corrosion visible around the exterior and looking underneath the car looks incredibly original and solid, the factory paint is still clear to see under the car.
The seller tells us it has been garaged for all of its 25 years and therefore the red paint has no discolouration or fading and to find one in bright red colour is a rarity. There are a couple of marks on the bumpers and a couple of chips here and there, and scratches on the plastic door mirrors but a can of touch up paint is included!
The car has steel wheels with the original hubcaps, which aside from a couple of marks on the edges are in great shape, and the Michelin MXT tyres have very good tread on them.jsTK3dqY16CcYceEBnXj7xC6fzxw5BcWh7QC23SF.jpeg2.33 MB
Mechanics
Unsurprisingly being a Toyota, the 4E-FE EFi motor fires instantly, runs smoothly and whilst manoeuvring for photography easily selected gears and the clutch felt good and a brand new battery fitted.
Under the bonnet it all looks undisturbed from the factory, there are no signs of leaks, just a reassuring film of road dirt showing nothing has dribbled or been cleaned up.
The slam panels and inner wings up front, and boot floor in the rear show no signs of accident damage or repair.
Totally original low mileage everyday cars like this are rare and special finds. A car that has been well cared for through its early life but little used, and then the owner has continued to look after it as the years go by until eventually it receives the recognition that it is no longer one of thousands on the road but one of the few survivors.
The condition of this car make it all the more desirable, the body is straight and solid, the paint virtually unblemished and the interior almost like new. With affection for ordinary 80s and 90s cars at an all time high, this Corolla has never looked better
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