
A typical family car from the 1970s. The cars were relatively simple, conventionally built with rear-wheel drive and very reliable, which made the Toyota Cressida popular all over the world.
A world car
The Toyota Cressida was a world car that was sold on several continents under several names. When the model went on sale as a 1977 model, many thought it was a completely new model series from Toyota. In reality, it was the successor to the mid-range car Toyota Mark II. Toyota had problems continuing to use the model name "Mark" in the US, as it was linked to earlier Lincoln models. Therefore the name was changed to Cressida for the USA and other export markets.

Model history
Toyota Cressida was delivered in 3 variants – 4 door sedan (RX30), 2 door hardtop coupe (RX30L) and 5 door station wagon (RX35). A quick review of the car register shows that all variants were sold in Norway. Furthermore, it appears that all cars had a 2,0 liter 4-cylinder engine with 90hp (18R). The Cressida could also be supplied with straight sixes of 2,0 liters and 2,6 liters respectively, as well as a 2,2 liter diesel engine - but they probably went to other markets? 6-cylinder engines were important for the Toyota Cressida to succeed in the US.
As a hobby car
The line guidance is quite "funky" with its curved lines. The cars are reminiscent of American cars from the same era. The Toyota Cressida has started to appear in sales advertisements from businesses dealing in rare and exclusive cars. Who would have thought that? What speaks for the Toyota Cressida is that they are quite simple and conventional. The biggest problem is probably getting hold of a usable copy. It was not unusual to carry out rust repairs on Japanese cars after only 6-7 years. As good service cars, the Cressida's were driven to the last scrap and then delivered for scrapping. This applies not only in Norway, but throughout the world, which can make it difficult to find cars and parts for projects. There are exceptions - both as original "survivors" with Tectyl branding on the rear window and as modified hobby cars.



"The woman in my life"
The commercial from TRY 2017 is about a man who calls 1881 to get the address of his mother. The main character has, for unknown reasons, lived outside society for many years. Now he's in his old, well-maintained Toyota Cressida to reunite with his mother - whom he refers to as "the woman in my life". The client is Opplysningen 1881.
About the pictures
Both the car in the main picture - and the violet car with the nice rims - were photographed at a Campsite in Øyer then Old School Toyota's Norway had a gathering there in 2020. The purple car is currently for sale (See advertisement). The blue car took part in the Cars & Coffee at Øvrevoll gallop. It is this car that is used in the commercial for Opplysningen 1881 (Watch the Youtube clip). The catalog image is probably scanned from paper (source: FavCars.com). The image of the white hardtop coupe in profile is computer manipulated.
Catalog images
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Copyright notice
See



Toyota.no
Old School Toyotas Norway on Facebook
Cressida Nation (Facebook)