X

Toyota celebrates 50 years of the world's most popular car

Toyota's humble Corolla is not only its best-selling car ever, it's the world's best-selling automotive nameplate of all time, with over 43 million sold. See how dramatically it's evolved over 50 years by scrolling through this gallery.

skype-headshot
skype-headshot
Chris Paukert
Historic images of Toyota's Corolla
1 of 22 Toyota

Produced from 1988 to 1992, the sixth-generation Corolla sprouted this sporty GTS notchback variant.

Historic images of Toyota's Corolla
2 of 22 Toyota

50 years of Toyota Corolla

Toyota's fourth-generation Corolla range included a rather rakish Liftback model. This was produced from 1979 to 1983.

Historic images of Toyota's Corolla
3 of 22 Toyota

This is the just-facelifted 2017 Toyota Corolla, in a 50th Anniversary special edition, no less.

Historic images of Toyota's Corolla
4 of 22 Toyota

The 10th-generation Corolla was also available in a sportier-looking model, complete with upsized alloy wheels and a mild body kit.

Historic images of Toyota's Corolla
5 of 22 Toyota

This is the second-generation Toyota Corolla, a 1973 fastback model.

Historic images of Toyota's Corolla
6 of 22 Toyota

The seventh-generation Corolla, seen here in 1993 four-door sedan trim, is still a common fixture on the world's roads.

Historic images of Toyota's Corolla
7 of 22 Toyota

The second-generation Corolla shown here served the masses between 1971 and 1974.

Historic images of Toyota's Corolla
8 of 22 Toyota

Here's an example of the third-generation Corolla "sport coupe," offered between 1975 and 1978. This example is a 1977 SR-5.

Historic images of Toyota's Corolla
9 of 22 Toyota

Built between 1984 and 1987, the fifth-generation Corolla spawned the now-legendary AE85 and AE86 rear-drive models.

Historic images of Toyota's Corolla
10 of 22 Toyota

Toyota CEO Akio Toyoda proudly mugs in the driver's seat of a right-hand-drive four-door Corolla GT.

Historic images of Toyota's Corolla
11 of 22 Toyota

This 2002 Toyota Corolla LE is an example of the eighth-generation model, which ran between 1998 and 2002.

Historic images of Toyota's Corolla
12 of 22 Toyota

The sixth-generation Corolla, built between 1988 and 1992, this is a midrange LE example.

Historic images of Toyota's Corolla
13 of 22 Toyota

This eighth-generation Corolla was available between 1998 and 2002.

Historic images of Toyota's Corolla
14 of 22 Toyota

Toyota produced the fifth-generation Corolla between 1984 and 1987 in this unusually stylish two-door coupe version.

Historic images of Toyota's Corolla
15 of 22 Toyota

Say "hello" to the third-generation Corolla, offered between 1975 and 1978. This is an SR5 Liftback.

Historic images of Toyota's Corolla
16 of 22 Toyota

The ninth-generation Corolla was produced between 2003 and 2008.

Historic images of Toyota's Corolla
17 of 22 Toyota

Here's an example of the second-generation Corolla, known as the E20 generation.

Historic images of Toyota's Corolla
18 of 22 Toyota

This two-door second-generation E20 Corolla ran from 1971 to 1974.

Historic images of Toyota's Corolla
19 of 22 Toyota

Here's a Corolla two-door notchback depicted in a typically American scene. This third-generation model was built between 1975 and 1978.

Historic images of Toyota's Corolla
20 of 22 Toyota

The first-generation Corolla, built between 1966 and 1970, is where it all started.

Historic images of Toyota's Corolla
21 of 22 Toyota

This 1600 Fastback is part of the Corolla's second generation.

Historic images of Toyota's Corolla
22 of 22 Toyota

The 11th-generation Toyota is still on sale today. First solid in the US from mid-2013, this is a pre-facelift example.

More Galleries

2024 Toyota Grand Highlander: Super Size Me
2024 Toyota Grand Highlander

2024 Toyota Grand Highlander: Super Size Me

28 Photos
Yamaha motorcycle and instrument designers trade jobs (pictures)
yamaha01.jpg

Yamaha motorcycle and instrument designers trade jobs (pictures)

16 Photos
CNET's 'Day of the Dead Devices' altar (pictures)
dia-de-los-muertos-3318-001.jpg

CNET's 'Day of the Dead Devices' altar (pictures)

9 Photos
2007 Los Angeles Auto Show: concept cars
conceptss01_440.jpg

2007 Los Angeles Auto Show: concept cars

14 Photos
Best sound bars under $300
polk-magnifi-mini-15.jpg

Best sound bars under $300

18 Photos
2018 Ford F-150 Power Stroke reports for diesel duty
2018 Ford F-150 diesel

2018 Ford F-150 Power Stroke reports for diesel duty

22 Photos
Music-friendly cell phone accessories

Music-friendly cell phone accessories

11 Photos