Toyota Corolla (E20)

Toyota Corolla (E20)
The Corolla E20 was the second generation of cars sold by Toyota under the Corolla nameplate. Launched in May 1970, it featured "coke bottle styling" and had a longer wheelbase. The front suspension design was improved greatly, using a swaybar, however the rear remained relatively similar. The Corolla became the second-best selling car in the world that year. Grades for sedan were Standard, Deluxe, and Hi-Deluxe. The coupé was offered in Deluxe, SL, SR, and Levin ("levin" is Old English for "lightning") trim levels.
History
Minor changes were made in September 1971 with a new grille, turn signal lights, and tail lights, along with similar treatment to the Sprinter. A further facelift was done in August 1972. The E20 Corolla was also used as the basis for the 1974 Daihatsu Charmant. The E20 series was the first Corolla marketed in Indonesia, where it was sold between 1971 and 1975.
Japan (1970–1978)
Most models stopped production in July 1974 but the KE26 wagon and van were still marketed in Japan alongside the new 30-series, until production finally ended in May 1978.
Load carrying duties of the Corolla Van were lightened by the arrival of the all new Toyota TownAce in 1976, while its twin the Toyota LiteAce was sold at Toyota Auto Store locations next to the Sprinter, with both vehicles using the Corolla/Sprinter 1200 cc 3K-J, and 1600 cc 2T-J and 12T-U engines. Vehicles installed with the 1.6-litre engine were ranked as the top level trim package, as the engine displacement obligated Japanese owners to pay more annual road tax.
The sporting Levin was originally only available with the twin-cam engine; in late 1973 this was joined by the somewhat cheaper and less powerful "Levin J", with the SOHC 2T-B engine. Levin production levels were around 5000 per year. In addition to a variety of other performance upgrades, the Levin has fender extensions and a quicker steering rack than other Corollas, while the Twin Cam versions lack servo brakes so as to make for a sportier feel for the driver.
Japanese engines:
3K – 1.2 L (1166 cc) I4, 8-valve OHV, carb,
3K-D – 1.2 L (1166 cc) I4, 8-valve OHV, carb,
3K-B – 1.2 L (1166 cc) I4, 8-valve OHV, twin carb,
T – 1.4 L (1407 cc) I4, 8-valve OHV, carb,
T-D – 1.4 L (1407 cc) I4, 8-valve OHV, carb,
T-B – 1.4 L (1407 cc) I4, 8-valve OHV, twin carb,
2T-B – 1.6 L (1588 cc) I4, 8-valve OHV, twin carb,
2T-G – 1.6 L (1588 cc) I4, 8-valve DOHC, twin carb,
2T-GR – 1.6 L (1588 cc) I4, 8-valve DOHC, twin carb,
JPN-market chassis:
KE20 – 1,166 cc Sedan, 2-door/4-door (Std, DX, Hi-DX)
TE20 – 1,407 cc Sedan, 2-door/4-door (Std, DX, Hi-DX)
TE21 – 1,588 cc Sedan, 2-door/4-door
KE25 – 1,166 cc Coupé (DX, Hi-DX, SL)
TE25 – 1,407 cc Coupé (DX, Hi-DX, SL, SR)
TE27 – 1,588 cc Coupé (Levin)
KE26V – 1,166 cc Wagon/Van, 3-door/5-door (Std, DX)
TE28 – 1,588 cc Wagon, 5-door
Export engines:
3K – 1.2 L (1,166 cc) I4, 8-valve OHV, carb, (DIN) / (SAE)
3K-H – 1.2 L (1,166 cc) I4, 8-valve OHV, carb, (DIN) - desmogged version, introduced in fall of 1974
2T – 1.6 L (1,588 cc) I4, 8-valve OHV, carb, (DIN)
In some years and in some export markets, SAE outputs were used. In the UK, the standard 3K engine produced a claimed at 6,000 rpm, while the twin-carb 3K-B engine installed in the Coupé offered at 6,600 rpm.
North America (1970–1974)
In the United States, most body styles were available, although the 1.4-liter and twincam engines were never offered. An optional engine with an SAE gross output of was added in September 1970. Either a four-speed manual or a three-speed automatic were offered, until sporty five-speed coupés called the S-5 and SR-5 were introduced in 1972. In 1974, an SR-5 was entered by Car & Driver magazine's team in SCCA competition.
The E20 Corolla was also assembled in Sydney, Nova Scotia by Canadian Motor Industries (CMI). CMI only ever assembled small numbers of Toyotas, as the finished cars cost ten percent more than a fully built up import and their quality was inferior; in 1974 Atlantic Canadian dealerships refused delivery of Canadian-assembled Corollas as a result. CMI ended operations in November 1975, after nearly 8,000 cars had been built there. The production tools were transferred to Ireland, where local assembly of the E20 Corolla had begun in February 1973.
American engines (SAE norms):
3K-C – 1.2 L (1,166 cc) I4, 8-valve OHV, carb, gross / net at 6,000 rpm
2T-C – 1.6 L (1,588 cc) I4, 8-valve OHV, carb, gross / net at 6,000 rpm
US-market chassis:
KE20 - 2-door Sedan (Std.)
TE21 – 2-door/4-door Sedan
TE26 – Wagon
TE27 – Coupé (S-5, SR-5)
Gallery
References
0 20
Cars introduced in 1970
Cars discontinued in 1978