Toyota Cressida selling for R1.1 million
IF YOU love the old school Toyota Cressida and have a million bucks to spare, here’s your chance to get one that is still in an “immaculate condition” according to a Joburg dealer.
An online advert for a 1986 Cressida, 2.4 GLE, with automatic transmission and priced at R1.1 million, caused a few jaws to drop this week.
The classic car became somewhat of a national treasure on 11 February 1990 when former president Nelson Mandela was released from Victor Verster Prison and arrived in style at the City Hall in a blue Toyota Cressida.
This time, High Select Auto, a dealership in Midrand, Gauteng, is responsible for ratcheting up the Cressida’s profile with a metallic green, “in mint condition” version.
Waseem Fareed, the dealership’s owner, said the Japanese car had just over 100,000km on the clock, and was one of its kind in the country.
Therefore, the price was justified.
He told the Sunday Tribune that it had its original black carpets and wheel caps, which were hardest to keep intact.
“The day-one rubber mats were usually the first things that wear out, the interior is original and makes the car look like it was delivered yesterday.”
“If you pop the hood, you will see the engine resembles the interior. It looks fresh from the factory.
“No repair work was done on this car. A slight twist of the key gets it started.”
Fareed said they got the car more than a month ago from a dealer network.
“The Cressida was not for a rush sale but meant for our museum. If there is a buyer who appreciates it enough and is prepared to pay the price then it would be sold.”
DAILY VOICE