Toyota Carina A60

TLV-N68 Toyota Carina 1500SG

This is the third generation Carina, it followed the fashion of the time with a still more angular and four-square design. The car followed its predecessors in retaining a front-engine rear-wheel-drive configuration even though by then competitor manufacturers were following a trend of switching to front-wheel drive in this class. In addition to the petrol-engined versions, the Carina was later offered with the option of an 1,839 cc 1C diesel engine, for which a power output of 65 PS (48 kW) at 4,500 rpm was claimed - in markets where fuel pricing and availability rendered this model appropriate.

The third generation was first released in September 1981. This was the last Carina to use rear-wheel drive. The RWD Corona shared its chassis with this vehicle, with the Corona being updated the succeeding year. The 1800SE had power windows, and an 1800SE "Extra Edition" trim level was added. The Carina was famously used by private teams racing for Japan in the Dakar Rally in the two-wheel-drive class for both 1981 and 1982. The Carina managed to achieve four championships in the marathon class divisions.

In February 1982, a five-door wagon series based on the Van was added, marketed as the "Carina Surf" (SA60G). The 1C, 1,800 cc OHC diesel engine was also added to the lineup. In May 1982, the better equipped 1500 SE trim level was added.

In October 1982, the Turbo DOHC engine (3T-GTEU, 1,770 cc and 160 PS (118 kW) in the Touring Super Coupé trim level) with the "GT-TR" trim level was added. Celica and Corona were released with the same powerplant simultaneously. Conversely, the 18R-GEU-engined 2000GT hardtop coupe was no longer available, and was replaced by the next-generation Carina ED four-door hardtop in 1985.

In May 1983, minor changes were done to the whole range, excepting the vans. Power mirrors were added, while the front grille and the taillights were redesigned. The 1600GT sports model replaced the 2T-GEU engine with the all new 4A-GEU engine, also a 1,600 cc DOHC unit, but now with 16 valves. The 3T-EU engine was no longer offered.

In August 1983, a series of minor changes to the van took place. The 12T-J 1,600 cc OHV engine was replaced with the lighter and more economical 1.5-liter 5K-J type. In May 1984, the front-wheel-drive four-door sedan "Carina FF" (T150 chassis) was introduced in addition to the rear-wheel-drive sedan range. Coupé, Surf (Wagon), and vans were sold continuously. Minor changes also took place, including body-coloured bumpers for higher grade models. In August 1985, the trim levels were changed to shift the Sports models (1600GT, 1600GT-R, 1800GT-T, 1800GT-TR) into the front-wheel-drive range. Rear-wheel-drive coupé sales were terminated. The sedan lineup was now reduced to 1500 standard, DX, SG, and 1800 SG trim levels. Surf and van sales continued as heretofore. Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive Carinas continued to be produced alongside the new T150 series until May 1988 in Surf, Van, and sedan models. The Carina Van ended production in April 1987.

(from wikipedia.org)