The E100-generation Toyota Corolla is a vintage workhorse, or a dependable and cheap runabout for new aspiring drivers in Malaysia.
Think of one car and one shape that defined the 1990s. Few really have that ooze – that aura, in modern lingo – that match the likes of the world’s bestselling car.
The Toyota Corolla is a nameplate that is seventy years old since its inception domestically in 1966, long reaching this title of a global bestseller in 1997, a few years after the inception of the E110-generation Corolla. Before it, the E100-generation seen here, was one generation that kept that steady growth.
This here is one 1994-and-up 1.3-litre variant in SE trim, finished in the same color that they all practically came in.
Like, old folks call it gold, middle-aged gents say its champagne, and young guys tout it as beige. In the states, this color is supposedly called “Light Beige Metallic”, which probably sings a chore for old buyers than young, yet it works for those old fellows who were looking for dependable transport.
It is, and the SE and its 1.3-litre 2E four-cylinder is just gutless, good lord. With 12-valve and carbureted aspiration, the Corolla is fit for 74 horsepower at 6,200RPM and 103 Nm of torque at 4,200RPM. 0-100 kilometres per hour is in sometime soon, likely around the 12-second mark or more – I only found the figures for the EE80-generation Corolla with a similar 1.3, which is quoted at 12.4 seconds. Beats walking, I guess.
The facelifted local market variants of E100 Corolla had body-colored window frames, side mirrors, door handles, mudflaps and wheel covers. The 1.3 SE would also be offered exclusively with a 5-speed manual, where the 1.6 SE-G would have both 5-speed manual and 4-speed automatic gearboxes.
As per a local period magazine, the 1994 facelift is a revised front grille, bumpers and rear fascia. Aside from the minor cosmetic update and changed air-conditioning gas, the E100 Corolla remained… a Corolla.
Outside of specs, these Corollas have stood the test of time in Penang. While the island sees extremely rapid modernization in its privately-owned vehicles, the population of oldies have remained still, with both original owners and fresh faces still boarding them every day for leisure, or pressure of work.
It is not obvious if UMW Toyota had ever brought in the spicy GT trim. The conversions are super plentiful in the 2000s and especially so these days – which replaces the standard engine with the high-revver that is the Silvertop or Blacktop variant of 4A-GE.
Though one factoid is that UMW Toyota did bring in the sporty AE86 hatchback. Those would set you back around the ballpark of RM50,000, which said ball would be rolling freely should their owners decide to sell at quadruple the price now! Those would all be sunroof-equipped without a limited-slip differential.
Back to these E100-generation Corollas. The appeal for these remain embedded in their global notoriety for being everywhere at a time, and for the possible modifications one could do. The spicy Japanese-exclusive GT with the 4A-GE engine made the Corolla cool, and at a time where customization was deep for many 1990s models, say intakes to body kits, the love of this generation of Corolla and similar have held, even if the cars are hitting the 35-year old mark.
Rusty and crash-damaged they may be, these are still a seemingly dependable car whether or not you cared to maintain them. Pair the bulletproof reliability, old school charm, new-school appeal, analogue experience and modern-enough liveability, its no wonder there’s still plenty of them still around – be it in superb condition for its age or expected of it.
~Efini
Read more: MY Archives: Mitsubishi Lancer MX Touring
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