So last weekend I partook in one of my favorite endeavors and prowled the local U-Pull lots. As usual, there was a butt-load of interesting iron on display, most in various stages of cannibalization, but the one that gave me the biggest frowny face for having discovered it there was this first generation Toyota Cressida wagon.
It just looked so dang sad.

Yeah, it’s not an uber exotic, nor particularly rare, but there was sometihng about it that called out to me, across row upon row of crumpled Kia and immolated Isuzu, I think it was the woodgrain. You know how they say they just don’t make ’em like that any more? Well, that’s totally the case here as the photo finish appliqué that is the field of faux forest bi-product is surrounded by a metal frame that’s also phoney baloney wood – held in place by a series of spring clips rather than the more modern convenience of glue.
The interior was surprisingly intact, and you have to admire the durability of those ’70s vinyl seats – testaments to petrochemical engineering overcoming lard-butts and who knows how many years of flatus. It was also surprisingly complete, although2 someone had already collected the center console as a trophy. Less surprising was finding the radio last set on AM.
The rest of the interior is also mostly plastic and the years and sun have not been kind to it, turning what was probably once a unified message of tan into a Rubic’s Cube of various shades of beige. The odd placement – to the left of the wheel – of the overdrive actuator is also perplexing.
The hoods are always raised on the cars at this lot – something to think about there on those long sleepless nights – and a glance under this one reveals a relatively new Fram air filter contrasting with the pine needles and spiderweb detritus of neglect. The end for this Cressida was slow, however one would hope however that it was not painful.
Cars don’t go to the pick a part to be reborn, they go there to die, and this Cressida, seemingly unloved in its last days here on Earth has had an ignominious end to a life probably full of taking kids to school, shopping for groceries, and being part of some family’s life. Somehow, it seems it should have reached a more noble destination than this.
Of course, I could be wrong – it is possible that this Toyota had been being used as a mobile meth lab and was impounded in a police raid after a sting brought down its owner. And if that’s the case, then I say good riddance.