Corolla Generasi Ke-3

The 3rd Generation COROLLA

Vehicle code "three-zero." Pulling through headwinds and emerging as world class car.

"The ultimate family car born after an uphill battle."



Shirou Sasaki,
Development Leader of the 3rd Generation COROLLA


Production Period (1974 - 1979)
*Production period in Japan. The period of introduction for this generation model may vary by region.





"This COROLLA is the ultimate family car." As stated by Shirou Sasaki, Development leader, the 3rd generation COROLLA was introduced with safety and comfort features equivalent to that of higher grade vehicles, while maintaining the most important aspect of family cars ― a high level of economic efficiency. This new model cleared the strict emission standards for environmental pollution, which had become a social problem on a global scale, and became a COROLLA that made the world acknowledge its high level technical strength. This 3rd generation COROLLA earned the status as the best selling car domestically and globally with its superior overall performance, high level quality, and reliability. Its popularity overseas was especially high, and the number of vehicles exported increased rapidly, exceeding 300,000 units annually. Living up to its reputation in name and substance, this new model grew to become an international product representative of Japan.

Shirou Sasaki, Development leader of the 3rd generation COROLLA, took direct command of developments of the 2nd generation COROLLA under the direction of Tatsuo Hasegawa and took charge as the Chief Engineer beginning with the 3rd generation model. As he kicked off the development concept for this 3rd generation, Sasaki studied the 3rd shogun (warlord), Iemitsu Tokugawa, of the Tokugawa Shogunate (feudal government), which governed Japan back in the Edo Period (1603–1867). From these studies, Sasaki found that it was Iemitsu who soundly solidified the foundation for the Tokugawas, who established a long history of 300 years. With this information, Sasaki decided to make the 3rd generation COROLLA "the Iemitsu of COROLLAs" that would firmly solidify COROLLA's foundation, rather than merely adopting a showy concept.

To create a model that perfects the strengths of its predecessors and to further increase COROLLA loyalty, Sasaki proposed a concept called "3rd generation fulfillment."

First, the team focused on improving not only driving performance but on performance and function including interior comfort and quietness. Next, the vehicle width was increased to express a style with a sense of newness, and the sense of interior quality was improved. The team then endeavored to improve the areas that primarily appeal to the senses and implemented developments with focus on feelings that passengers actually experience.

However, from the time of initial developments, the team faced strict conditions due to regulations on emissions, which had rapidly become a social problem. The Muskie Act was enacted in the US, and strict regulations equivalent to those in the Muskie Act were also adopted in Japan, and as a result, vehicles that did not clear these regulations could not be sold. To handle this problem, a company wide project was started, and the Higashi-Fuji Technical Center was established as a specialized research organization for exhaust gas countermeasures. The engineers, primarily from the Engine Department, continued their efforts night and day, and eventually perfected the catalyst based exhaust gas purification system that remains the mainstream even today. In addition, regulations that became stricter year after year were cleared by amassing technology original to Toyota such as a lean combustion and TGP combustion methods. With this, the inevitable decrease in output was gradually restored.

As company-wide attention focused on exhaust gas countermeasures, the members of the Design Department adopted a somewhat angular, sharp design for the 3rd generation COROLLA. The new design portrayed a somewhat robust image compared to the soft lines of the 2nd generation, and the COROLLA's individual flare was emphasized. Also, wind tunnel equipment was introduced around this time, making it possible to tweak the design based on drag coefficient figures. Results from these wind tunnel studies were incorporated into the exterior design for the first time in the history of COROLLA.

In addition to the sedan and van that were available with the previous models, a center pillar-less hardtop body type was newly adopted for the 3rd generation COROLLA. This marked the first time that a hardtop design, which was a trend in higher grade models at that time, was adopted on a family car, and this feature became a major characteristic of the 3rd generation model. When the new model was first released, the coupe model was temporarily discontinued in order to clearly define the new COROLLA from other vehicle segments, but was later added due to market demands. Also, a liftback model was added to the lineup as a "sporty wagon for multipurpose use". The liftback gained popularity overseas, more so than in the domestic market, and the production volume greatly exceeded the initial plan.

At the time that the 3rd generation COROLLA was released, Japan was experiencing a social environment that was not very conducive to cars, and sales did not grow like anticipated. However, overseas sales significantly exceeded the initial plan, and record-setting figures were achieved in annual exports. This was clearly the result of developments that pursued international quality standards and firmly grasping the needs of overseas markets. For instance, when Sasaki, the Chief Engineer, conducted a market research trip in Germany, a lack of cargo capacity was pointed out. An actual demonstration was made in front of Sasaki's eyes to show that a standard load of cargo simply wouldn't fit in the trunk. Sasaki immediately studied vehicles that served as the standard for ease of trunk use in overseas markets and reflected those findings in developments.
In addition, the expansion of an ambitious product lineup that matched the needs of the era including a hardtop and liftback model led to favorable results overseas. In the end, this model achieved a total production volume of 3,755,029 units.

A total of three body types were available when the 3rd generation COROLLA was first released, including the traditional sedan (2-door and 4-door), van, and the newly added hardtop. Later liftback and coupe models were added to the lineup for a total of five body types.

At the time of its initial release, four types of engine variations were available including the 1.2-liter 3K-H engine, the 1.4-liter T engine, the 1.6-liter 2T engine, and the 2T-G DOHC engine for the COROLLA Levin.

However, these engines were temporarily deleted from the lineup due to emissions regulations, leaving only the 1.6-liter 2T-U engine and the 1.4-liter T-U engine. After that, the lineup was gradually enhanced with the 1.2-liter 3K-U engine, the 1.6-liter 12T and 12T-U engines, the 1.3-liter 4K-U engine, and the 2T-GEU DOHC engine for the COROLLA Levin.

The major characteristics of the 3rd generation COROLLA include the discontinuation of the previously established coupe model and the establishment of a hardtop model. The hardtop adopted a somewhat notched "semi-fastback" style, while the sedan incorporated a short deck, "semi-fastback” style with an air outlet louver on the bonnet for accent. In addition, a characteristic design was implemented for the side ventilation as well. Clear differentiation between the sedan and the hardtop was achieved by establishing streamlined side ventilation on the rear quarter panel for the sedan, and likewise, vertical side ventilation on the back end of the rear quarter panel for the hardtop.

Also, the 3rd generation COROLLA incorporated new techniques in order to strive for positive diversification through the front mask. Differences were established in not only the radiator grille but in the bonnet shape as well, depending on the displacement of the engine mounted in the vehicle. A clearly different personality was advocated for the liftback and coupe models established later, by creating front masks that were entirely different from the sedan and hardtop. For the interior, thorough motion studies were implemented based on ergonomics, and ease of use was pursued. Beginning with the instrument panel covered with a thick padding, an advanced layout was adopted, including the center console with its centralized operation switches.

The 3rd generation COROLLA engines needed to clear the major technical issue of emissions. First, the 1.4-liter T-U and the 1.6-liter 2T-U engines were equipped with catalytic converters to meet the regulations. Next, the 1.6-liter 12T engine that incorporated a lean combustion method was added. From there, the lineup expanded to the 12T-U engine that combined an oxidation catalyst with the 12T engine to restore the power that was lost due to these regulations. The 12T-U engine generated a maximum output of 88ps / 5600rpm and a maximum torque of 13.3 kg-m / 3400rpm.

Production of the 2T-G DOHC engine for the COROLLA Levin was temporarily halted when emission countermeasures could not be implemented in time. However, an oxidation catalyst was adopted and the EFI (Electronic Fuel Injection) replaced the Solex carburetors, and the engine evolved to become the 2T-GEU engine, generating a maximum output of 110ps / 6000rpm and a maximum torque of 14.5kg-m / 4800rpm. With this engine, both fuel economy and torque were improved, and the model was masterfully reinstated. Later on with the minor model change, a 3-way catalytic converter, perfected through original Toyota technology, was adopted to enhance power to a maximum output of 115ps / 6000rpm and maximum torque of 15.0kg-m / 4800rpm. With this, the 2T-GEU high performance engine successfully surpassed the former 2T-G DOHC engine equipped with Solex carburetors.

In addition to these emission countermeasures, advanced technologies were also adopted to meet diverse market needs, such as a 3-speed automatic transmission and variable ratio steering gears.

Enhanced equipment and an interior meticulously finished with high quality are the characteristic features of the 3rd generation COROLLA. One piece molded ceiling was adopted on all models to ensure insulation and ample head clearance. Front seats of 2-door models incorporated a foot operated walk-in device for easier access to the rear seats. Wiper and light controls were integrated into the combination switches on the steering column to improve operability. Boosted ventilators and bi-level heaters were adopted to enable switching between fresh and recirculated air for excellent cabin ventilation. And, in addition to all these features, enhanced comfort was ensured by implementing thorough noise and vibration countermeasures.


Passive safety features that would become the forerunner to safety countermeasures of recent years were widely adopted on the 3rd generation COROLLA. Impact absorption body structure with a crushable zone in the front to back direction was incorporated. Consideration was also given to side impact collisions, and the door thickness was increased. Ultimately, these led to approximately 40 kgs of increase in body weight, but international safety standards were ensured, including US safety standard FMVSS and various European safety standards. Furthermore, 3-point seatbelts were made standard on all models.

Other Technologies and Equipment

● Seatbelts with ELR (Emergency Locking Retractor) that activate the lock mechanism only in an emergency

● Front seats with a steel plate press frame structure to achieve both seating comfort and impact absorption performance● Bumpers with corner rubber

● Low fuel warning light

● Stop lamp bulb warning light

● Intermittent wipers

● Side defroster

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Major Specifications

*The specifications listed here are for the displayed vehicle (shown in the photo on the left) at the Corolla 40 year anniversary event held in August 2006 in Tokyo, Japan.



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Specifications of displayed vehicle : 3rd generation
Model code : TE30-KSBR
Grade : 30 series 4-door 1400SL sedan
Model year : 1974
Vehicle price (JPY) : 820,000
Vehicle weight (kg) : 890
Minimum turning radius (m) : 4.7
Overall length (mm) : 3995
Overall width (mm) : 1570
Overall height (mm) : 1375
Wheelbase (mm) : 2370
Min. ground clearance (mm) : 155

Interior dimensions:
length (mm) : 1665
width (mm) : 1335
height (mm) : 1140
Passengers : 5
Engine type : T-BR
No. of cyls & arrangement : Water cooled, inline 4-cylinder OHV
Fuel : Gasoline
Engine displacement (cc) : 1407
Fuel consumption (km/L) : -
60 km/h constant speed driving : 19.5
10 mode fuel efficiency : -
10.15 mode driving : -
Transmission type : 4-speed manual
Drive train : FR
Max. output : 91PS / 6000rpm


Vehicle Diagram and Dimensions


Secret of COROLLA

The Liftback and surfboards
In developing the new Liftback model to be added to the 3rd generation COROLLA lineup, with a concept of "sporty wagon for multi-purpose use", Chief Engineer Sasaki began by carefully considering the definition of "leisure." Sasaki personally took some time to experience what it is like to actually ride in a yacht and enjoy an afternoon of cycling and a barbecue. Just at that time, Sasaki visited a sporting goods store and was subtly measuring the length of a surfboard. A store clerk walked up to him and mentioned, "Shorter surfboards are the trend nowadays, so I should be able to give you a discount on those long ones." Sasaki imagined that if surfboards are getting shorter, that might be something that the Liftback customers will want to carry around in their cars. So, the length of this surfboard was used to determine the dimensions of the Liftback's cargo space.