1975 Toyota Corolla SE 1.3L 4K-C

Summary:

Great little powerhouse

Faults:

In the 12 months I have had the car I had to replace the flange gasket on the exhaust,

I also had to replace the brake booster, but that's about it.

Clutch and Gearbox are perfect.

General Comments:

It's a great first car as they are good on fuel, but rust does eventually get the better of them.

They don't go too bad as the will rev out and push the little car along.

You still see heaps of other mint ones out there today so it just goes to show how reliable Toyota's are.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 5th September, 2004

1975 Toyota Corolla SE 1.3 petrol 4K

Summary:

A very reliable bus

Faults:

Nothing at all has gone wrong with this car in the 4 months I have had it.

I have changed the oil, oil filter and spark plugs.

General Comments:

This car is very reliable and get's me where I want to go.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 24th January, 2004

22nd Jul 2004, 05:50

Don't crash it, they fold up quite nicely.

1975 Toyota Corolla 1.6 Fuel Injected

Summary:

You can't beat a Toyota

Faults:

Nothing at all, seeing I only drove the car to a garage where I would be working on it for 3 months.

However in those 20 Kilometers to the garage I noticed the exhaust wasn't all that flash.

General Comments:

My Dad and his friend are old racers and know a lot about cars, so they helped me out considering I'm only 16.

First of all we got the new exhaust for around $400, then started with the electrics. we got rid of the tachometer (waste of space) and fiddled around with the dash a bit.

We got a lot of our goods from the wreckers and scraps, for instance we got headlights from new corollas and the rubber bumper I found on another corolla. I wanted the rubber bumper because the sharp scrap metal on there before wasn't good.

We then got new shockers and suspension and lowered it.

Then onto tires. I picked out a set of alloys (6 1/2") and we got the tires for a good $800.

We were finished in 3months and now onto the really fun part.

It really hits the spot and I enjoy maxing it a lot.

I can't exactly tell what the RPM would be, but I suspect the 1.6 would pull around 7500RPM.

Most of the guys getting 1st, 2nd cars now usually go for old Commodores, but true cars guys know. You can't beat a Toyota.

Handles good too.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 21st January, 2004

11th May 2004, 11:45

I completely agree. You can never beat a TOYOTA. I, myself own a KE20 corolla built in 1975 and I am pretty satisfied of this car. Under the hood is an 3K engine of 1200cc and I intend to put an 4K engine of 1600cc.

3rd Jun 2004, 11:13

I agree on the Part about never beating a TOYOTA. But I do have to say that you spent way too much money on yours. I have a '75 Corolla SR5, I got it free. I spent $400 on the title and legality fix. Then I spent $400 more and shoved a Chevy 350ci motor into the tiny body. I used a 5 speed and a narrowed 9 inch ford rear. All together I spent $1600 and I run high 8 seconds. That is the way to go. Also I race a 81' Corolla on a dirt oval track with a 1.8 motor. Its fast too.

22nd Jul 2004, 05:48

Reliable compared to most other makes, but they are ugly and a death trap.

17th Jan 2005, 20:58

Yep no beating a corolla for reliability.

I have a 1976 ke 30 that has only just turned 200000 k's.

Except for the odd bit of trouble with a dodgy battery, it's been a blast.

Not a very fast one (two speed auto), but a good time had by all.

26th Jan 2009, 06:33

I'm picking up a little 75 Corolla Wagon for 900.00. Runs great and comes with a parts car (already torn down) Cute little retro bomb. Bright yellow (enamel!) It'll keep the rust away til I get it straightened out. I'm looking for someone who would like to buy parts from me. Excited to get my first Toyota as a spare car and future car for my daughter.

In reply to 26th Jan 2009, 06:33

22nd Aug 2023, 05:42

I see one of these for sale here in Seattle and I'm thinking of getting her. She is 5 grand. Exterior and interior look almost new.

In reply to 3rd Jun 2004, 11:13

26th Aug 2023, 02:30

You must have spent more than that on traction control. I once hired a standard KE20 2-door with 1.2-litre engine / 4-speed manual (good tires) and parked it on a dirt carpark in front of a parking stop log, on a slight incline in dry weather.

When the four-of-us returned to the car, I couldn't reverse it out due to poor traction, no matter how hard I tried. Eventually, I came up with the idea of sitting the 6ft 3'-plus guy in the open trunk. That worked!

1975 Toyota Corolla CS Deluxe Hardtop KE35 3K-H

Summary:

Fun project car

Faults:

Rust in boot sills, roof sills, chassis rail. Total fixing cost about $600.

Blows the dash fuse several times a month, but this is quickly and cheaply fixed. I suspect the dodgy aftermarket brake light is causing this.

I've been thru 2 fuel pumps, but I think that's just bad luck.

The original carburettor is quite pathetic, no idle mixture adjustment and repair kits are difficult to find and expensive when you do. I have since replaced it with a Weber.

PVC Leather back seat hasn't taken too well to 27 years of sunlight.

Steering box has a lot of play. Suspension in general is getting old and worn and bouncy.

Only once has left me stranded, when the ignition coil resistor blew. Easily fixed by bypassing it.

General Comments:

I bought this car, not running, for $250 and have done all of the work on it myself. It's dead easy to maintain, repair and upgrade.

It's surprising the amount of oomph you can get from these little old engines with a decent exhaust and fuel system.

I think it's quite a good looking little car too, I intend to continue doing it up and will hopefully keep it for a while.

I've seen a lot of these cars still around, the engine will easily outlast the body.

The old saying is true, you just can't can't kill a Toyota!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 16th August, 2002