1978 TOYOTA CARINA 1600 TA40 - ONE REGISTERED KEEPER, 22K MILES FROM NEW

This 1978 Toyota Carina 1600 TA40 is a remarkable survivor, having covered just 22,600 miles from new in the hands of just one recorded keeper. Having never been restored or had paintwork, it is an exceptionally original car and represents a rare opportunity to acquire an untouched example of this scarce model.

Supplied new in 1978, the Carina has been used sparingly throughout its life, spending much of the past forty years in dry storage, emerging periodically for MOT testing before returning to storage. The benefits of careful preservation and Waxoyl treatment are evident in its condition, which is particularly impressive for a Japanese car of this period.

Remarkably, the car still retains its original tyres, dated 1978, further illustrating its limited use and originality. Its overall condition is a testament both to the care it has received and to the quality of Japanese engineering during the 1970s.

The accompanying history file includes the original Toyota service book, containing three main dealer stamps, the last recorded at just 2,448 miles, together with a handwritten record of additional maintenance. A selection of previous MOT certificates further supports the exceptionally low mileage, while the original sales receipt and other sundry paperwork add to the car’s provenance.

More recently, the Carina has benefited from a programme of light, sympathetic mechanical recommissioning, undertaken with the intention of preserving its originality while returning it to usable condition. Work has included stripping and cleaning the braking system, replacing the rear wheel cylinders, brake hoses and fluid, re-coring the original radiator, fitting several new old stock water hoses and installing a replacement battery.

With unrestored examples of everyday Japanese cars from the 1970s becoming increasingly difficult to find, this exceptionally well-preserved Carina offers a rare opportunity to acquire a genuine time-warp survivor. Its low mileage, single recorded keeper, supporting history and remarkable originality make it a particularly interesting example of a once-familiar model that has all but disappeared from British roads.

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