| Production | |
|---|---|
| Model Year: | 1979 |
| Production Years: | 1979 - 1983 discontinued in 1983 |
The Toyota Crown Wagon (S1), produced between 1979 and 1983, represents the first generation of the Crown Wagon lineup, combining the classic Crown luxury sedan's robustness with the practicality of a station wagon. Launched in 1979, this model was aimed at buyers needing more cargo space without sacrificing comfort and the premium feel associated with the Crown name. This first-generation station wagon showcased a balanced design, featuring a spacious interior tailored to passengers and luggage alike, making it a versatile choice for families and business users during its production period. The Crown Wagon's exterior dimensions reflected the era's design trends for larger, more usable vehicles, although specific measurements for length, width, and height may vary slightly depending on the market and equipment. Typically, the Crown Wagon (S1) measured around 4800 mm (about 189 inches) in length, making it competitive in the mid-to-large station wagon segment. Its width was approximately 1700 mm (67 inches), providing ample cabin space while maintaining manageable maneuverability for urban and highway driving. The height of the vehicle was optimized for headroom and cargo capacity, roughly close to 1450 mm (57 inches). This model was built on a robust platform, which contributed to a reliable ride and durability, hallmarks of the Toyota Crown series. As a station wagon, it offered the practicality of extended rear cargo space accessible through a large rear hatch, making it ideal for hauling larger or bulkier items than traditional sedans could accommodate. The Crown Wagon (S1) combined traditional Japanese engineering excellence with practical design, delivering a vehicle that was both elegant and functional during its late 70s and early 80s production run. It stands today as a notable example of Toyota's commitment to quality and versatility in the station wagon segment.
Discover the standout features that make the 1979 Toyota Crown Wagon a leader in its class
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The Toyota Crown Wagon (S1) produced from 1979 to 1983 is a spacious station wagon characterized by its practical size. It measures approximately 4,695 mm (184.8 inches) in length, 1,695 mm (66.7 inches) in width, and stands about 1,430 mm (56.3 inches) tall. These dimensions provided a balance between ample interior space and manageable exterior size for urban driving. The length and width offered enough room for passengers and cargo while maintaining vehicle agility typical of wagons from that era.
The Toyota Crown Wagon (S1) from 1979 to 1983 has a curb weight of approximately 1,470 kg (3,241 lbs). This weight reflects the materials and construction typical of the late 1970s to early 1980s wagons, balancing robustness with fuel efficiency. Payload capacity generally ranged around 500 to 600 kg (1,102 to 1,323 lbs), enabling the Crown Wagon to handle family luggage, club sports equipment, or groceries comfortably, making it suitable for everyday use and longer trips with enhanced cargo-carrying capability.
The Crown Wagon (S1) was designed with passenger comfort and utility in mind. It typically seats five passengers with spacious headroom and legroom, particularly benefiting from the wagon body style that maximizes cabin space. The rear seats can often be folded down to increase cargo capacity significantly, offering flexibility for passenger and luggage configurations. The interior was designed to be comfortable for families or groups needing a reliable and roomy vehicle for longer journeys or daily activities.
Yes, the Toyota Crown Wagon (S1) fits comfortably into a standard residential garage. With its length of about 4.695 meters (184.8 inches) and width of 1.695 meters (66.7 inches), it is well within the size parameters of most typical garages, which usually measure around 6 meters (20 feet) in length and at least 2.4 meters (8 feet) in width. Additionally, the relatively modest height of 1.43 meters (56.3 inches) ensures it can fit under standard garage door heights without issue.
Compared to its predecessor, the earlier Toyota Crown wagons from the early to mid-1970s, the S1 generation shows incremental growth in dimensions that enhanced interior space and cargo room. Generally, the S1 was slightly longer and wider, improving comfort and utility without substantially increasing vehicle weight. These changes were part of Toyota's approach to modernize the Crown line by increasing practicality while maintaining traditional Crown qualities like smooth ride and reliability. Overall, the size improvements in the S1 generation made it more competitive in the station wagon market.
The Toyota Crown Wagon (S1) holds its own size-wise against other popular station wagons from the late 1970s and early 1980s, such as the Nissan Cedric wagon and the Mazda Luce wagon. With a length of approximately 4.695 meters (184.8 inches) and width of 1.695 meters (66.7 inches), it is similar in size to these competitors, which typically range around 4.5 to 4.8 meters long and 1.7 to 1.75 meters wide. The Crown Wagon’s vehicle height is modest, contributing to a lower center of gravity and better handling dynamics. Its size offered a good balance of passenger room, cargo capacity, and maneuverability.
The Toyota Crown Wagon (S1) featured a ground clearance of approximately 160 mm (6.3 inches), which was adequate for urban and light rural road conditions. This clearance reflected the vehicle's design focus on comfortable and stable driving rather than off-road capability. The suspension setup used a traditional front independent setup with coil springs and a rear live axle with leaf springs, a common configuration for station wagons of that era. This setup delivered a smooth ride and reliability, suitable for family and cargo transport.
During its production between 1979 and 1983, the Toyota Crown Wagon (S1) was commonly equipped with inline six-cylinder engines, typical of the Crown series which emphasized smoothness and power for comfortable cruising. Engine options around this time included the 2.0L and 2.4L inline-6 petrol engines. The drivetrain was rear-wheel drive, aligning with the classic Crown layout that provided balanced weight distribution and predictable handling characteristics, important for both passenger comfort and load carrying capability.
The fuel economy of the Toyota Crown Wagon (S1) was typical for late 1970s to early 1980s station wagons equipped with inline six-cylinder engines. On average, the Crown Wagon achieved around 9 to 12 liters per 100 kilometers (approximately 19.6 to 24.7 miles per gallon US). Performance-wise, the engines provided sufficient power for comfortable highway cruising and urban driving, with smooth acceleration rather than sporty speed. The focus was on reliability, comfort, and utility, making the Crown Wagon a practical choice for families or business use rather than a performance vehicle.
The Toyota Crown Wagon (S1) holds a notable place in Toyota’s history as part of the longstanding Crown series which has traditionally symbolized comfort, reliability, and advanced engineering. The S1 generation particularly reinforced the brand's reputation for dependable family and utility vehicles in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Known for its robust build quality and simple mechanicals, it remains a favored classic among vintage car enthusiasts who appreciate its durability and straightforward maintenance compared to more modern vehicles. The Crown Wagon’s enduring legacy contributes significantly to the Crown line’s premium reputation in the Japanese market and beyond.
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