Autoblog

click the pic above to see a gallery of 50 shots of past Toyotas

When Toyota's Toyopet Crown arrived in the United States in 1957, it was met with snickers from Detroit. General Motors was king, and Ford and Chrysler weren't in the dire straights they face today. Fifty years later, nobody's laughing. That first Toyopet Crown wasn't well regarded, but in 2007, Toyota is giving General Motors a noogie. In 1957, Japan was very much thought of like China is today. That first Toyopet Crown wasn't a great deal, and Toyota had to surmount a mountain of real and perceived shortcomings before it would be taken seriously. In fewer than ten years, though, the Japanese automaker had refined the Toyopet into the Corona, a far more luxurious and modern car than the import-icon VW Beetle. Toyota was gaining fast on other import makes, and aggressively improving its products.

The Corolla debuted in 1968, and the compact offering became the marque's best selling model. The basic recipe of inexpensive small cars and pickups with reliable, well-engineered running gear carried Toyota through the 1970s and into the 80s. Along with its cohorts from other Japanese brands and tightened emissions and safety regulations, the dominance of the VW Beetle was crushed by the time 1979 ended. The 1980s were banner years for Toyota. It'd taken thirty years of Corona, Corolla, Celica, Celica Supra, Tercel and HiLux for Toyota to get its due, but things really shifted in the 1980s. The Camry debuted in 1983, and it now occupies more garages nationwide than any other vehicle. The Lexus luxury division launched in 1989 for the 1990 model year and made the Germans rethink their luxury cars, too. Technological innovation has created Hybrid Synergy Drive, and the Truck-cum-HiLux went on to become the Tacoma. Toyota continues to push for world dominance, and they're not just nipping at GMs heels, they're a proverbial tiger on the back of a wounded gazelle at this point. Quite a trick for a company that opened its US branch on Halloween back in 1957. We'll see what treats the global auto wars have in store for us in the next 50 years.

hit the jump for Toyota's official passenger car chronology

[Source: CNN Money via Motor Authority]

If you've ever wondered what a Zagato-bodied Lexus RX might look like, you now have an answer.

To commemorate the 50th anniversary of Toyota's Toyopet dealerships, the automaker has worked with the legendary design studio to produce the Harrier Zagato for the Japanese market. It was unveiled today at the 2006 Tokyo Auto Gallery, a tuner/specialty car show now in its 6th year. Only 250 examples will be built.

A pure appearance package, the Zagato modifications take the sleek and sedate Harrier and give it the look of a rally car. The front fascia is overhauled with an open-look grille, new bumper, and a lip spoiler that houses round foglights. The changes continue as you walk around the car. Bulging, ventilated fender flares and lower body cladding carry the aggressive new profile to the rear, where you find revised bumper and a deeper roof spoiler. Gold five-spoke Zagato Design wheels complete the package.

The interior is left intact save for some new aluminum trim.

Based on on the Harrier 240G "L" (2.4L 4 cyl) and 350G "L" (3.5L V6), the Harrier Zagato can be ordered with either 2WD or 4WD powertrains for both engines. Prices, depending on drivetrain selection, range from ¥4,935,000 ($42,000 USD) to ¥5,712,000 ($48,800 USD). Colors are red mica metallic or white pearl crystal.

(Additional photos after the jump)

[Source: Toyota Japan]