Tercel at the Toyota Museum in Torrance, CA.

[bryanthompson]

Some photos from my visit to the Toyota Museum today. It was so neat to see a Tercel in pristine condition.

Enjoy!

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?fbid= ... a8c97a7a41

[ARCHINSTL]

Wow - Thanks, Bryan! Great pix!
Was that T4WD (and other vehicles) rotisserie-restored or just "saved" from the initial launch of the model and is "showroom fresh?"
Only in CA could you find a mobile Citroën DS/ID to follow down the highway...
Tom M.

[Petros]

I have never seen the blue trim before, with the roof rack looks like some kind of "skier" package based on the trim. I have seen a "rough neck" version, and some others, but never a ski wagon with blue trim. Especially that blue 4wd emblem on the grill. Dearler option perhaps, or something done up for a car show to introduce the new car?

Look at how skinny the factory tires area on that thing. Totota were real idiots when it comes to marketing performance.

[bryanthompson]

If I understand correctly, this is a special edition "skier package" car that was used for marketing purposes in 1983. I don't know if it was actually sold with the blue detail graphics on the grill logo, wheels and body side. This particular car only had about 230 miles on it, so it is factory fresh.

So much about this car took me back to the day from my childhood when my parents bought ours new off the showroom floor. Seeing it in person was a very sensory experience; The tinny metallic sound of the door handles, the off-gassing plastic smell of the interior, even the way the black polyurethane bumpers feel soft when they are in new condition.

I really enjoyed seeing this car up close and personal.

BT

[dlb]

wow, i love the blut highlights and shiny wheels but...

Look at how skinny the factory tires area on that thing. Totota were real idiots when it comes to marketing performance.

petros is right! whenever i see a terc wagon with stock tires, i remember why i always hated them as a youngster. it looks like an awkward space ship with such a big, blocky body on tiny little tires. doesn't look capable at all, but as soon as i saw one with bigger tires i thought it looked formidable. that skier graphic in the blue highlight is goofy. may as well put a sticker of an electric guitar on there, like "i'm a rocker!"

great pics bryan, i'm envious! my wife, though, is glad that i got to see it without dragging her along in real life.

[ARCHINSTL]

I just noticed - 230 miles!
Well - at least one of our little guys is in the Toy Museum, so all will marvel for years to come. And - forever?
Tom M.

[Petros]

yup, and when woody allen gets out of that time machine 1000 years in the future, he can make his get away in the Tercel by just turning the key.