BOMADERRY man Andrew McIntosh loves Toyotas – the older, the better.
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The proud owner of a 1971 Toyota Crown and a Mark II 1973 Corona said he was sad to hear the news of the brand’s decision to stop making cars in Australia in 2017.
“It’s a sad day, I hope they keep sending them into the country,” he said.
“But I’m really into the older cars, so it doesn’t affect me.
“I like the old Toyotas – they are the good ones.”
And that is borne out by the fact that his pride and joy, his ’71 Crown, known as Ruby, is his daily drive.
“It has to be a financial reason for Toyota to pull out, if they were making money they would be staying here,” he said.
“I feel sorry for all the people who build the cars and also supply the parts for them.”
His love of Toyotas stretches back to when he was a youngster and his father owned a 1968 Crown.
“We were in Kangaroo Valley and it was the only car that was really good on the dirt roads,” he said.
“It held together well. The Crown was lovely, based on a Mercedes Benz and one of the last vehicles made with a full chassis.”
A member of the Shoalhaven Historic Vehicle Club and the Toymods Car Club for modified Toyotas, he has owned the Corona for 24 years and the Crown for 10.
“I purchased the Mark II after it was advertised in the paper, and it was such a good car,” he said.
“When it reached 30 years of age I put historical rego on it and restored it.
“The Crown is also a local car, purchased in North Nowra, and has been fully restored.”
Mr McIntosh is only the second registered owner, having bought the car in a pub for just $500.
After it sat in his carport for nine years, he restored it and re-registered it in 2007 with just 53,200 original miles on the clock.
“I have never seen another one like it at any of the Toyota shows,” he said.
“We took it to the Australia Day competition this year and from 647 Toyotas, it was the only ’71 Crown there.”