Toyota Corolla 1100
A small family car with a big idea: make everyday driving feel a little more special.
1966 Toyota Corolla KE10 at the Toyota Automobile Museum. · Iwao from Tokyo, Japan · CC BY 2.0
Research pending
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More than a set of wheels.
The first Corolla reached Japanese customers in November 1966. Toyota wanted a useful family car with comfort and a touch of sportiness. The launch model was a two-door sedan with separate front seats and a floor-mounted gear lever. Four-door and van versions followed in 1967. This profile uses the original Deluxe specification, before the larger 1,200 cc engine arrived.
Look a little closer.
A corolla is the ring of petals in a flower. Toyota chose a name that suggested beauty.
Photos show an example of the model or generation. The pictured vehicle’s year, equipment, or modifications can differ from the specification described here.
An extra hundred cubic centimetres
Toyota chose an engine just above the popular one-litre class. The extra capacity became part of the Corolla’s appeal, but chief engineer Tatsuo Hasegawa also pushed for balanced quality across the whole car. A family needed useful space, comfort and easy operation as well as power.
Source: Toyota · developing the first Corolla ↗Making a new suspension work
The front wheels use strut suspension. Toyota’s development account describes the effort needed to refine this relatively new arrangement for the company. It is a reminder that choosing a clever design is only the beginning: engineers must test and improve how its parts work together.
Source: Toyota · developing the first Corolla ↗Where these facts come from
- Toyota · first-generation Corolla specifications
- Toyota · developing the first Corolla
- Toyota Automobile Museum · 1966 Corolla KE10
Selected facts checked for this edition. Some source pages link to broader model families. Last reviewed September 29, 2026.