Hard to Find Longroof: 1991 Toyota Camry DX Wagon – SOLD!
May 18, 2021 Update – we confirmed the seller of this rare Toyota Camry Wagon “Classifind” deleted their listing after only one week, so we’re now able to call this one “SOLD!” While this one got away, please reach out either by email or call Rudy directly if you’d like to be informed when we come across something similar.
Many of us know all too well that the supply of wagons for sale in the U.S. has slipped to near-extinct levels, with relatively few still available to buy new. When you consider how many wagon derivatives previously roamed the streets of our fine country, it’s a depressing reality check to see how many models have been lost. Take this 1991 Toyota Camry wagon listed here on Craigslist in Worcester, Massachusetts in slightly tatty but rust-free condition with 172,500 miles and an asking price of $4,900. Comparing this price against the NADA Price Guide tells us very little, as NADA and Hagerty have apparently seen so few of these cars that they have no metrics to measure against.
The demise of the wagon isn’t entirely surprising, especially when you consider how Hollywood helped hasten its extinction. I realize that sounds somewhat tin-foil-hat-ish, but seemingly every movie from 1985 on up made a point of ridiculing the dad driving the long roof model with woodgrain running down the sides. While different styles cycle in and out as styles change, I haven’t seen nearly the same level of disdain for cross-over vehicles, despite this genre of vehicles being the equivalent of a lifted station wagon. The V20 series Camry, like this one here, was a high watermark for the company in terms of build quality and features, so if the kiddos were embarrassed, tough luck: dad made a smart decision buying one of the best-built cars on the market for 1991. Now, many of these V20s have succumbed to rust issues after years of performing dutifully as daily drivers, which makes it even more surprising to see one that isn’t rusty and apparently still being used around Central Massachusetts.
We came across this vintage V20 Camry commercial from the car’s 1987 launch year:
This example sports the standard four-cylinder mill, otherwise known as the 3S-FE. This was hardly an exotic engine, but like the 22R before it, it got the job done. Toyota did offer a V6, and that’s the stuff of hen’s teeth these days: a Camry wagon with the optional V6. Throw in All-Trac four-wheel drive and you have a car that belongs in a museum. While you can’t do anything about the engine in this example, I would absolutely find the V6 wheels from a local salvage yard to give the wagon a more upscale appearance. But, to be fair, it still looks fairly high-grade inside: the dash is covered with tasteful stitching, and the door panels feature a mix of cloth and vinyl. The Camry retains its original factory steering wheel and cassette radio head unit, and the interior is loaded with power features. Underbody photos confirm this wagon is as rust-free as the seller claims. The bumpers are rough, but respray those and buff out the rest and you’ve got an entirely useful hobby car that will only go up in value from here. Good luck with your purchase if you decide to bring this driver-quality Camry wagon home.
Here’s the seller’s description:
“Hard to find these cars nowadays…
Power windows, cruise control, 4 matching tires
I just did the oil change for whoever buys it.
Clean title, I drive this everyday, inspected, drives amazing!
as you can see…car kept in a really good shape
Comes with maintenance records, 1991 camry documents (see pictures)
Overall, in amazing shape!”
Do you have a Toyota Camry story you’d like to share? Comment below and let us know!
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