Toyota Crown Eight

Production	April 1964 to July 1967
Body style	4-door sedan
Engine	2.6L (2599cc) V OHV V8
Transmission	3-speed automatic column change
Wheelbase	107.87 in, 2,740 mm
Length	185.83 in, 4,720 mm,
Width	72.6 in 1,845 mm
Height	57 in 1,460 mm
Curb weight	3,043 1b, 1,380 kg

The Toyota Crown Eight was introduced in 1964 for the Japanese market, powered by a 2.6 L V8 engine.

History

Toyota built at the same time as the Second generation S4 type However, the Crown Eight was equipped with Japan's first V-type 8-cylinder engine by extending and widening the body of the regular model in all directions. it had a different model designation, VG10 The Crown Eight was assembled by Toyota's subcontracting company Kanto Auto Works. The car was first introduced at the 1963 Tokyo Motor Show and introduced for sale on April 20, 1964, nine days before Emperors birthday and the beginning of Golden Week in Japan.The Crown Eight represents the first Japanese mass-produced vehicle with an 8-cylinder engine.The distribution of weight was  51.4% to  front axle,and  48.6% at  rear axle ,The front suspension, independent, wishbones, coil springs, anti-roll bar with telescopic dampers the rear was rigid axle, coil springs, trailing radius arms, transverse linkage bar and telescopic dampers.

PERFORMANCE

• engine capacity: 158.59 cu in, 2,599 cu cm
• fuel consumption: 25.7 m/imp gal, 21.4 m/US gal, 11 1 X 100 km
• max speed: 93 mph, 149.7 km/h
• max speeds: 60 mph, 96.6 km/h in 1st gear; 93 mph, 149.7 km/h in 2nd gear
• max power (SAE): 115 hp at 5,000 rpm
• max torque (SAE): 145 1b ft, 20 kg m at 3,000 rpm
• max number of engine rpm: 6,000
• specific power: 44.2 hp/l
• power-weight ratio: 26.5 lb/hp, 12 kg/hp
• acceleration: standing 1/4 mile 20.8 sec, O 50 mph (O 80 km/h) 11.2 sec

The Crown Eight was considered as a possible submission for use by the Japanese Imperial Household Agency as a car to be used by the Royal Family, but it lost out to the Nissan Prince Royal. The Crown Eight was replaced in 1967 by the first Century with the model code VG20. Approx 3,800 Crown Eights were produced.

Some of the items that were exclusive to the Crown Eight were electrically powered windows, cruise control, a three-speed "Toyoglide" automatic transmission with manual option, and electromagnetic door latches, which were also installed on the Crown Eight successor, the Century.The main rivals at the time were the Prince Gloria Super, Mitsubishi Debonair, and Nissan Cedric Special, all equipped with a six-cylinder engine. It was the first Crown to exceed vehicle size classification regulations in length, width and engine displacement capacity. The width at 1,845 mm (72.6 in) compares to the Century at 1,890 mm (74 in), and as such no Crown before or since, including the Crown Majesta, has matched the width dimension of the Crown Eight until the year 2008 for Crown and 2009 for Majesta.