In 1970 Japan’s car industry was booming and Toyota’s line-up stretched from economy town cars to sportier and work-focused models, reflecting changing tastes at home and abroad. That year’s models helped define how Toyota positioned itself across different markets.
There are 18 1970 Toyota Car Models, ranging from the 2000GT to the Stout; for each model I list Body styles,Engine (cc / hp),Markets — details you’ll find below.
Which 1970 Toyota models are most sought after by collectors?
The 2000GT is the headline grabber due to rarity and sporty pedigree, with limited-production sports and early performance variants next in demand; commercial models like the Stout attract buyers more for originality and utility than auction prices, so condition and provenance drive collector interest.
How varied were the engines across Toyota’s 1970 lineup?
Engine choices spanned small economical fours to higher-performance twin-cam units, with displacement and output often adjusted for local tax and emissions rules; the Engine (cc / hp) column below makes it easy to compare powertrains by model and market.
1970 Toyota Car Models
| Model | Body styles | Engine (cc / hp) | Markets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Corolla | Sedan,coupe,wagon,pickup | 1,166 cc / 60 hp | Japan,US,Europe,other |
| Sprinter | Sedan,coupe,fastback | 1,166 cc / 60 hp | Japan,Asia,Europe |
| Corona | Sedan,coupe,wagon,van | 1,587 cc / 88 hp | Japan,US,Europe,other |
| Crown | Large sedan,wagon | 1,991 cc / 97 hp | Japan,Asia,Europe |
| Mark II | Sedan,hardtop | 1,988 cc / 95 hp | Japan,Asia |
| Carina | Sedan,coupe,wagon | 1,588 cc / 85 hp | Japan,Europe,Asia |
| Celica | Coupe,hardtop | 1,600 cc / 105 hp | Japan,US,Europe,other |
| 2000GT | Coupe | 1,982 cc / 150 hp | Japan,Europe,US (limited) |
| Publica | Compact sedan,van | 700 cc / 36 hp | Japan,Asia |
| HiAce | Van,light truck,minibus | 1,500 cc / 60 hp | Japan,Asia,Europe,other |
| LiteAce | Van,panel van,truck | 1,160 cc / 63 hp | Japan,Asia |
| Hilux (Pickup) | Pickup,truck | 1,575 cc / 85 hp | Japan,US,Europe,other |
| Stout | Pickup,light truck | 1,900 cc / 88 hp | Japan,Asia,Europe |
| Land Cruiser (FJ40) | Off-road wagon,utility | 3,880 cc / 125 hp | Japan,US,Europe,other |
| Coaster | minibus,van | 2,000 cc / 90 hp | Japan,Asia,other |
| Corona Mark II (early)/RT | Sedan,wagon | 1,588 cc / 85 hp | Japan,Asia |
| Corolla Van/Pickup | Van,pickup,wagon | 1,166 cc / 60 hp | Japan,Europe,Asia |
| Celica GT/1600 GT (market spec) | Coupe,hardtop | 1,600 cc / 115 hp | Japan,US,Europe |
Images and Descriptions
Corolla
Compact, reliable family car; 1970 saw the new-generation Corolla arrive in many markets, tightening build quality and economy. It mattered as Toyota’s global volume seller and a backbone of their export push.
Sprinter
Corolla’s sportier sibling sold mostly in Japan and Asia; in 1970 the Sprinter shared Corolla mechanicals but offered sharper tuning and sportier trims, appealing to younger buyers seeking value performance.
Corona
Mid-size family car popular worldwide; the 1970 Corona delivered practical space with a 1.6L engine and received minor updates to trim and emissions for export markets, keeping it competitive against European rivals.
Crown
Toyota’s upmarket saloon for executives and fleets; in 1970 the Crown combined smooth 2.0L power with roomy interiors, reinforcing Toyota’s presence in the premium segment at home and in select export markets.
Mark II
Mid-size upscale sedan positioned between Corona and Crown; the 1970 Mark II offered comfortable ambition with refined engines and conservative styling that appealed to Japanese buyers and company fleets.
Carina
Introduced in 1970, the Carina was a compact-to-mid-size newcomer aimed at buyers wanting Corona comfort in a smaller package. It quickly became notable for solid build quality and export potential to Europe and Asia.
Celica
Launched in 1970 as Toyota’s sporty, affordable coupe, the Celica mixed sharp styling with a 1.6L engine. It marked Toyota’s serious entry into the sporty coupe market and became an instant youth favorite.
2000GT
Handbuilt flagship sports car with Yamaha-tuned DOHC 2.0L engine; production ended in 1970. The 2000GT remains iconic for its design and demonstrated Toyota’s engineering potential on the world stage.
Publica
Tiny, economical city car focused on low running costs; in 1970 the Publica remained Toyota’s entry-level model in Japan, offering simple transport and helping broaden Toyota’s domestic market reach.
HiAce
Practical van and light commercial people carrier; the first-generation HiAce was well established by 1970 and valued for reliability and adaptable bodies used by businesses and small fleets.
LiteAce
Introduced in late 1970, the compact LiteAce targeted urban deliveries and small businesses with compact dimensions and flexible load space, marking Toyota’s entry into the microvan/compact commercial segment.
Hilux (Pickup)
Toyota’s rugged compact pickup, the Hilux was a global workhorse in 1970 known for durability. Offered with simple, torquey engines, it built Toyota’s reputation in export truck markets.
Stout
Larger light-duty truck and pickup sold in Japan and exports; the Stout in 1970 provided heavier payload capacity than the Hilux and served trades needing a sturdier chassis.
Land Cruiser (FJ40)
Legendary rugged 4×4 used for both work and recreation; the FJ40 was a popular export in 1970, prized for its off-road ability and simplicity in remote markets worldwide.
Coaster
Small bus/minibus for passenger shuttles and light commercial use; by 1970 the Coaster was a familiar sight in Asia and other regions, valued for carrying capacity and reliability in service fleets.
Corona Mark II (early)/RT
A market-specific Corona/Mark II variant available in 1970, offering mid-size comfort with economical engines; it bridged Corona and Mark II buyers with practical interiors and broad dealer support.
Corolla Van/Pickup
Utility derivatives of the Corolla platform widely sold in 1970; these commercial-bodied variants offered affordability and proven mechanicals for small business and rural use.
Celica GT/1600 GT (market spec)
Higher-performance Celica GT introduced alongside the base coupe in 1970, offering twin-cam-like tune and sportier handling. It helped establish the Celica’s sporting credentials internationally.
