In the early 1980s, many car manufacturers offered station wagons to American car shoppers. Toyota was one of them, with the Cressida being one of its offerings. This particular 1982 Cressida wagon was found in a Northern California junkyard, a rare find indeed.
The Cressida was a rear-wheel-drive vehicle available in the US from 1978 to 1992, going through four generations. It was considered the most luxurious Toyota car until the arrival of the Lexus LS 400 in 1990. The 1982 Cressida wagon was closely related to the Celica Supras of the same era, sharing an M-series straight-six engine.
Powered by a 2.8-liter 5M-E engine with electronic fuel injection, the 1982 Cressida produced 116 horsepower and 145 pound-feet of torque. Despite its modest power, the Cressida’s curb weight of just 2,906 pounds made its performance decent for its time. It came standard with a four-speed automatic transmission with an overdrive top gear.
The 1982 Cressida wagon had an MSRP of $12,699, making it one of the more expensive Toyotas at the time. It was well-equipped with features such as air conditioning, cruise control, rear defroster, and an AM/FM four-speaker audio system. This particular car was originally sold in California, as indicated by its emissions sticker.
While the Cressida has garnered an enthusiast following over the years, this particular example met its end in a junkyard despite being rust-free. It only amassed just over 100,000 miles during its 42-year lifespan. The wagon version of the Cressida was available in the US from 1978 to 1987 before being replaced by the high-end trim levels of the Camry wagon.
It’s worth noting that the US market never received the turbocharged version of the Cressida. Despite its rarity and enthusiast appeal, this 1982 Toyota Cressida wagon ultimately met its demise in a California junkyard.