E70 4th Gen (1979 to 1987)

The Toyota Corolla, manufactured globally from 1979 until 1987 in its fourth-generation form, holds a prestigious place in automotive history as the final series to feature a rear-wheel-drive configuration across its entire core lineup. Known by the E70 chassis code, this generation was a monumental success in Australia, where it was locally assembled and praised for its simple, rugged engineering and a diverse range of body styles, including the iconic "quad-headlight" sedans and the rare, sporty T-18 liftback. In the 2026 Australian market, the E70 has transitioned from a common "paddock basher" into a highly sought-after classic, with its lightweight chassis and rear-drive layout making it a premier choice for the "retro-drift" and "touge" scenes. The local buyer pool is a high-energy mix of old-school Toyota purists and younger tuners who frequently campaign the 1.3-litre 4K and 1.6-litre 4A-C powered models at roll racing nights and local hill climbs, where their mechanical simplicity allows for easy performance upgrades. Desirability has reached a fever pitch in 2026, particularly for the late-run Corolla Spirit special editions and the versatile station wagons—which famously remained in production until late 1987—as they are now celebrated as "hero cars" of the 80s aesthetic. Consequently, the market value of the E70 in Australia has seen a significant upward surge; while high-kilometre examples still offer an entry-point for enthusiasts, pristine, rust-free survivors and "factory-original" T-18s have ascended into the realm of blue-chip investments, with collectors now paying premium prices to secure a piece of the last rear-wheel-drive Corolla era.

The Toyota Corolla, manufactured globally from 1979 until 1987 in its fourth-generation form, holds a prestigious place in automotive history as the final series to feature a rear-wheel-drive configuration across its entire core lineup. Known by the E70 chassis code, this generation was a monumental success in Australia, where it was locally assembled and praised for its simple, rugged engineering and a diverse range of body styles, including the iconic "quad-headlight" sedans and the rare, spor… Read more