You could argue that the smart money goes on the facelifted Toyota Corolla SR, rather than the bug-eyed Corolla G6R, but since when has Petrolblog done anything smart? Besides, with a face only a mother (and Petrolblog) could love, the pre-facelift E110 Corolla is the more Petrolbloggy of the two.
Which is why Petrolblog is kicking itself that it failed to spot the Toyota Corolla G6R at Hampson's recent classic, performance and supercar auction at Bolesworth Castle. At least it would be kicking itself if it had legs.
Launched in December 1998, the Corolla G6R paid homage to the Toyota Corolla WRC car that finished second in the hands of Carlos Sainz in the 1998 World Rally Championship. Just 420 cars were made available in the UK, but DVLA data suggests that 348 were sold. The price was £14,795 – the equivalent of £27,750 today.
For that, buyers were treated to Toyota's 1.6-litre 16-valve 4A-FE engine, a six-speed gearbox, aluminium bonnet, 15-inch alloy wheels, colour-coded skirts and front lip spoiler, disc brakes with ABS, air-con, electric sunroof, electric front windows, electric door mirrors, speed-sensitive power steering, red seatbelts and a 6-disc CD autochanger. It was all very 1990s, right down the front fog lights.
While the lukewarm Corolla G6 was powered by a 1.3-litre 16-valve engine producing 85hp, the 1.6-litre in the G6R developed 109bhp for a 0-62mph time of 10 seconds and a top speed of 121mph. Not quite Carlos Sainz levels of performance, but it was, to quote Toyota: ‘the nippiest Corolla in the range’.
There were two colours to choose from: Sunburst Red or Satin Black. While red G6Rs were almost certainly quicker than black ones, after 26 years of use, many of the survivors will be less Sunburst Red and more Sun-bleached Pink. Still, with just 14 left on the road, and 54 listed as SORN, beggars can't be choosers.
The auctioneers describe the bodywork, paintwork and interior as ‘average’, but there's better news about the engine and gearbox, which are rated as ‘good’. Hardly surprising given the recent recommissioning work, which extended to new brakes, clutch, a full service and battery. It required some welding to get through the last MOT, which is to be expected on a Japanese car of this era.
It sold for £2588, which seems fair for a forgotten hot hatch from the end of the ’90s, albeit with 150,000 miles on the clock. As the advertising cliché goes, try finding another one.
The Corolla G6R was Petrolblog's favourite car at Hampson's March sale, which included an officially licensed Gone in Sixty Seconds Ford Mustang ‘Eleanor’ formerly owned by Thierry ‘Va Va Voom’ Henry. It sold for £140,625, but Petrolblog isn't sure it was worth £138,000 more than a Japanese hot hatch with red seatbelts.
If you're the lucky owner of T949 OHE, do get in touch; Petrolblog would love to hear from you. In the meantime, enjoy your nippy Corolla.
Images © Hampson Auctions
