$22,000 Crown Finds Home in Tupelo, Miss.

Posted August 27, 200816 yr

08-26-2008 10:37 PM

A couple of months ago we told you about a 1958 Toyopet Crown with a very unique history, having served as one of the cars of the Japanese Consulate in San Francisco. It’s one of the first Japanese cars imported to the US and its sudden appearance in the marketplace caught many by surprise. The winning bidder has now been revealed.

The car’s new home will be the Tupelo Automobile Museum in Tupelo, Mississippi. On its way there, the engine was dropped off with Frenchy Dehoux, whose own restored ‘58 Toyopet won Best in Show at ToyotaFest 2008. The restoration process is expected to be completed in mid-2009.

Why Tupelo? Because in 2007 the city was chosen as the site for a new Toyota factory, where the company will soon begin to manufacture the 2010 Prius. As a show of support and testament to the city’s partnership with Toyota, Tupelo community organizers banded together to purchase this unique piece of the company’s US history. You can follow the progress on the Tupelo Toyopet website.

Thanks to the Classic Toyota Town Yahoo Group for the tip!

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