This classic 1970 Toyota Crown MS51 Coupe with only 112,285 kms showing on the odometer and in very original condition was inspected for a client at USS Nagoya auction on 27 May 2016. It is the type of collector car we specialise in.
Given the condition it was possibly a one owner car and also an older owner. The car had been repainted and the quality was not great. Not much prep work was evident with some cracks and blemishes which is fairly typical for Japan.
Chip on the right front edge of the bonnet where paint was bubbling with rust (pictured) but hadn’t rusted through yet and a relatively easy fix. Fairly free of rust other than that, minor surface rust underneath but nothing major for an old car.
Engine ran very smoothly and seemed very well cared for with clean engine bay. Original factory service stickers still on the car, hoses not perished, fluids appeared regularly changed.
All original inside, no cracks in the dash. Couple of spots on the roof lining were starting to come away and needed re-attachment. Power windows (yes, power windows in 1970 !) were not working.
If not for the paint, a very original and nice car, with believable kms.
It sold for 925,000 yen FOB. Total price in Australia at that time would have been from approx. $16,100 landed plus a compliance allowance of $1,000 to $1,200, tyres if needed and ORC’s (calculated at a rate of 79 yen to the dollar).
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We only source the best vehicles with clean and tidy interiors, and only vehicles we would be pleased to own ourselves. This is why we are constantly told by clients that the vehicles we source are well above the condition of most others on the local market.
Whether you’re looking for a classic 1970 Toyota Crown MS51 Coupe like this, or another year or model of Crown or another car entirely we can find it for you in nice condition.
The pictures are typical of the information we provide prior to auction for each vehicle of interest, with any faults shown so you can clearly see the condition before we discuss whether to bid, and your budget.
It is vital when sourcing your vehicle to use an agent that takes the time to physically check each vehicle and looks beyond the auction pictures and report to confirm condition. Some vehicles may have an unpleasant smoke or other odour, rust underneath, or other faults which are impossible to know without inspection.
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I would just like to give my unreserved recommendation to Geoff and his team at Prestige. Late last year I started the quest to look for a E51 Elgrand for the family. After my great experience some years back finding a Stagea RS FOUR with Geoff’s help it was a no brainer to rely on his expertise again. From beginning to end my interaction with Geoff was nothing short of professional. He was prompt, proactive and nothing seemed to phase him.
I knew enough about the import process to be dangerous. Like a typical guy I did not RTFM in the beginning and was making some really bone-headed picks. It would have saved everybody a lot of time if only I read through the material Geoff provided. If it had bothered him Geoff never showed and he patiently repeated the info I needed to make better picks.
There were many occasions when less than ideal vehicles showed up and being somewhat in a hurry to find a car it was tempting to lower my standard just to have something to bid on for the day. Against his best interest Geoff always talked me into walking away from a less than ideal pick. He could have easily taken advantage of my desperation for a vehicle but that never crossed his mind. He said more than once it’s about finding a car I am happy with and he really meant what he said.
The car we found was everything I set out to find, and then some. The right year, low Ks, had the right equipment and very very clean. The final price tag was right on budget and that’s including everything, tyres, on roads, the lot. The gentleman from the compliance shop could not stop remarking on how clean the car was. When my wife saw the car she could not believe it was 10 years old, it’s a stretch to say it feels brand new, but we could not be happier on how clean the car was. Like most imports the car came with many hidden goodies, we are still finding every little thing that came with the 2005 Elgrand. It was an exceptionally good score.
Geoff took care of everything up until the point the compliance shop receive the vehicle, and I mean everything. There was not a point in time I was lost for what to do and all the detail in the background, Geoff and his team took care of it. I know some people think twice about paying a fee to an agent but I can honestly say it’s worth every cent. Twice he chased down some extra savings – one over air con degassing the other over a reduction on customs. He saved me hundreds of dollars that a lesser agent would have probably deemed not worth their time and I probably would not have cared if I didn’t know. Geoff is the best in the business and he took the time to make sure I did get the savings I am entitled to. It’s these little things that makes Geoff’s service exemplary in the industry.
As long as Geoff is offering his service, I will not be buying a car any other way. If you can afford the lead time and a bit of patience, I whole heartily recommended importing your own car through Prestige Motorsport.