That's right - 1996. What was your first guess? 1941? 1933? Ah, so

　　close - Toyota was hoping you saw this Pre-War-ish profile and

　　thought, "Why, of course! That's the 1936 Toyoda Model AA. I'd

　　recognize that waterfall grille anywhere." Frankly, we'd be shocked

　　if that was your first reaction, as despite holding court as one of

　　the most powerful and recognizable automakers in history, there is

　　but a single example of the original Model AA sedan known to exist.

　　And, as part of the famed Louwman Museum collection, that rusty,

　　derelict AA that was first re-discovered in 2008 isn't even owned

　　by the automaker as of today. As part of its 50th anniversary

　　celebrations in 1986, the entire might of the Toyota Motor Company

　　was unable to coax any original AA out of a barn, necessitating the

　　creation of a handful of AA replicas for ceremony. As even

　　photographs and written records of the AA were scarce, each AA

　　replica was handcrafted as an approximation of what the AA most

　　likely presented as when Toyota was still "Toyoda." So, with a

　　small cluster of official replica AAs in the fleet, Toyota marked

　　its 60th anniversary in 1996 with the Toyota Classic seen here.

　　Retro was huge in Japan in the 1990s, with Nissan kicking off the

　　wave with its unexpectedly popular "Pike" cars like the Figaro,

　　Pao, and Be-1, and other manufacturers followed suit, including

　　Subaru with its Mini-aping Vivio Bistro kei-car. The Toyota Classic

　　took "retro" to the next level. Whereas the Pike cars and the itty

　　bitty Bistro presented as mostly modern cars with 1950s flavor, the

　　Classic was designed from the outset to fit Pre-War proportions

　　over modern bones. Fascinatingly, Toyota chose the then-new

　　N80-generation Hilux truck as the structural base, specifically the

　　112.2-inch wheelbase from the regular cab, long bed Hilux. Toyota

　　designed and positioned the Classic as quite a premium product from

　　the get-go, limiting total production to an even 100 units for the

　　Japanese market and priced from $75,000 when new. Toyota's

　　specialty Technocraft subsidiary handled assembly and development,

　　lavishing the exterior with bright chrome accents, whitewall tires,

　　and top-of-the-line lace wheels. Plush red leather wraps both

　　seating surfaces and the shift knob, complimented by extended

　　Bordeaux carpeting, extensive woodgrain trim throughout the cabin,

　　and an elegant and very classic Nardi Torino wood steering wheel.

　　As the Classic was designed entirely for show without any

　　consideration given to "go," a 2.0-liter 3Y-E SOHC four-cylinder is

　　the sole engine choice; 98 hp and 118 lb-ft are not quite a match

　　for the contemporary Supra Turbo, but it's a big bump up on the

　　original AA's 62-hp 3.4-liter inline-six. A four-speed automatic

　　transmission is standard, as is rear-wheel drive. Like most

　　neo-classics, the Classic is best used for easy, countryside

　　cruising. This is very likely the only Classic to ever receive the

　　prestigious National First Prize from the Antique Automobile Club

　　of America, having first claimed the Junior award and later Senior

　　plaque in 2022 in the popular Second Generation Collector Vehicle

　　category. As such, the car is in remarkable original condition,

　　wearing just over 36,000 km (22,000 miles) on the odometer at the

　　time of cataloging. The exterior paint is in wonderful condition,

　　although there is some minor deterioration of the white pinstripe.

　　Take note of the charming assortment of original Japanese stickers

　　and decals, including a parking permit and inspection roundel. The

　　cabin is as fresh as the exterior, with tight upholstery free of

　　any mars, tears, or wear. The carpet is similarly crisp, as is the

　　extended wood trim that displays no crazing or lacquer

　　deterioration endemic to so many cars of this era. All switchgear

　　presents as new, with only the leather on the automatic shift knob

　　showing minor wear from use. Even the documentation is complete,

　　with maintenance manual, sticker guide, and owners manual in-hand

　　along with spare key and tool kit. Existing at the intersection of

　　two distinct eras of automotive design, the 1996 Toyota Classic is

　　a fabulous choice for cruises and local Cars and Coffees, and would

　　be a showstopper at local-to-national level Japanese collector car

　　events. There is no tour or casual collector car rally too long or

　　taxing for the understressed Toyota, and it's easily one of the

　　most interesting entrants in any neoclassic category. Of course,

　　aiming for a Grand National First Prize and then Senior Grand

　　National AACA plaques would be a rewarding challenge, as would

　　trying not to smile when your (seemingly) 1936 Toyoda starts with

　　the twist of the key each time, every time. Offers welcome and

　　trades considered For additional details please view this listing

　　directly on our website

　　https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/7-toyota-classic-sedan/