The nameplate Toyota Corona brings a rich and varied history. Back in the 1960s and ’70s, the mid-size family car made a move from basic durability to being a bit of a sleeper at the robots. In other words, the genre added a touch of sportiness. Dads were thrilled.
By the early ’70s, the Mk2 Corona had become a respected model worldwide, blending Toyota’s famed reliability with a some go-fast stripes. South African enthusiasts, in particular, took to it as a solid alternative to the Datsun 1600 and Mazda Capella.
Jackie Cruz, in particular, remembers the 1970s Corona Mk2 – a two-door ride with a two-litre engine and those signature stripes. A great car all round.
So when Jacobus Jacobs from Richards Bay rocked up at an event in his 1972 Mk2 Corona bakkie, Jackie had to check it out.
Now, where many car builders might take this shell and turn it into something completely different, like replacing the engine, Jacobus chose to keep it as true to the marque as possible. He says: “We wanted to keep it original and add some extras.” As such, the powerplant remains the stock 12R engine, a 1.6-litre pushrod four-cylinder known for its bulletproof reliability. Introduced in 1969, the 12R was a staple in Toyota’s lineup, offering a balance of efficiency and longevity.
Focusing on the bodywork, 20-year-old Jacobus fitted genuine 17-inch Volk Racing Drift Kings rims and worked on the suspension, lowering the car in a serious nod to the stance aesthetic that has taken the car world by storm.
Jacobus adds: “Of course, it was necessary to give the engine bay a full clean-up. It was in this aspect of the project that, says Jacobus, his early hands-on experience of growing up with a father that worked on cars came to the fore. As he puts it: “A makeover like this took discipline. Especially the polish work to get the paint job shining, discipline and elbow grease as they say. It wasn’t easy but was well worth it in the end.”
Inside, the interior needed a refresh. The bench seat and door cards were reupholstered in leather, replacing the worn-out material. Jacobus fitted two JBL mids and a Rockford Fosgate P300 10-inch sub with a built-in amp for that proper Sunday cruise soundtrack.
As expected, this Corona turns heads, especially when it comes to the old-school car fans. Jacobus says he particularly enjoys this aspect of owning a classic, in that it starts conversations.
He’s particularly drawn to this era of Japanese cars, having also owned a Mazda Capella at one point. “I really like the Mazda RX3 shape,” he says.
And Jackie gets it, the Capella, Corona, and RX3 all have that same compact, cheeky energy. They’ve got enough power to throw down at the robots when needed. Speaking of which, the Mazda Capella, introduced in 1970, was Mazda’s response to the Corona and Datsun 1600, offering both conventional piston engines and a rotary-powered version known as the RX2.
The Capella was slightly sportier than the Corona, especially in rotary form, where it developed a reputation for being nimble and quick off the line. In contrast, the Corona was built with Toyota’s usual emphasis on reliability, making it a more practical choice.
Both cars were strong contenders in the 1970s sedan market, but while the Corona gained a reputation as an indestructible workhorse, the Capella – particularly the rotary models – became cult classics in the tuning scene. In South Africa, both models were popular with enthusiasts who appreciated their mix of affordability and performance.
When asked about his dream drive, Jacobus doesn’t hesitate: “One car I would really like to drive is a Mazda RX7. My dad actually used to have one.”
A love for old-school JDM runs in the family, and this Corona, a piece of Toyota’s storied past, is in good hands.