When the “foreign invasion” of cars really kicked off in earnest, we all know what Detroit did. They ignored it. Eventually they simply gave up the ground of economy and compact cars before trying to rally in their own defense. They, after all had stuff like the truck market and the sedan market locked down hard enough that they didn’t have anything to worry about, right? For a while, yes but after the early 1980s, no.
This 1982 Toyota Cressida is proof. The first shot they fired at Detroit on the five passenger sedan side was not perfect but it was pretty damned good and served as a leaping off point for what would become one of the greatest selling single models in automotive history.
As we all know, cars like this are in short supply today. You simply do not see early 1980s Toyota Cressida models floating around. Why? Honestly they were not built that great or of the best materials. But as time went on those things all changed. Hell you’ll hear how rapidly they upgraded this car at the end of the video below. From the IRS, the Supra engine, and more, they did not sleep on their market.
Yes, this kind of awkward, slightly too small, not that inspired in styling sedan changed the game for Detroit, and perhaps not in the best way.
