Toyota Century First generation
Toyota Century (First generation) was built from 1967 to 1997. Powertrain: Petrol: 2981 cc 3V V8 (VG20; 1967–1973); 3376 cc 4V V8 (VG21/30/35; 1973–1982); 3994 cc 5V V8 (VG40/45; 1982–1997). Size: 5,120 x 1,890 mm (L x W). Weight: 1760 - 1830 kg.
Composed from the specifications below, so it states nothing the specs do not. Photograph: Mytho88, CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons), from this generation's own encyclopedia entry.
Overview
The original Century was based on the 1964 Crown Eight, which featured the 2.6 L V8 Toyota V engine, and appeared almost two years after the October 1965 introduction of the 4-litre Nissan President. Apart from minor cosmetic changes and engine upgrades, the design remained largely untouched during its 30-year production run. This appearance has also inspired the designs of subsequent versions, as it remains desired by its clientele. The Century used an electromagnetic door latch that integrated a door lock, and the interior and exterior door handles were electrically operated.
Source: the English Wikipedia article on this model, CC BY-SA 4.0. Text may be shortened; read the full article for the complete text.
Not yet sourced for this model. Used prices swing with year, mileage, grade and country, so we publish a market range only when it comes with a named source and a date, and never an estimate. For a live figure, use the landed-cost tool with the price on the auction sheet.
Check before you buy
- Inspect for corrosion at sills, floor, subframes and suspension mounts, and replace perishable rubber (hoses, bushes, boots) at import.
- Read the auction sheet grade and notes, and verify the odometer against service and inspection records. How to read an auction sheet
- Run a history check (accidents, flood, mileage) before you bid. History check guide
- Import age rules: this generation already qualifies in United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia. Confirm the rule for your exact vehicle with customs before buying. Landed-cost calculator
General guidance for this type of vehicle, worked out from its body, powertrain and age. It is not a finding about this particular model; use an inspection and the auction sheet for the car you are actually buying.
Worked out from this generation's production years and each country's age rule. Rules also depend on vehicle type and the month of manufacture, so confirm with customs before you buy.
Other generations of the Century
- Second generation · 1997 - 2017
- Toyota Century Royal · 2006-2008; 3 sedans; 1 hearse
- Third generation · 2018 - present
- SUV · 2023 - present
More from Toyota · all Toyota models
- Crown (Sixteenth generation; Estate/Signia) · 2024 - present
- Alphard (Fourth generation) · 2023 - present
- Land Cruiser Prado (Fifth generation) · 2023 - present
- Sequoia (Third generation) · 2022 - present
- Land Cruiser (J300) · 2021 - present
- Harrier (Fourth generation) · 2020 - present
Can I import a Toyota Century (First generation) from Japan?
By production year alone, Toyota Century (First generation) is inside the age window for United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia. Rules depend on vehicle type and the month of manufacture, so confirm with customs before you buy.
What powers the Toyota Century (First generation)?
Per its encyclopedia infobox, engine: Petrol: 2981 cc 3V V8 (VG20; 1967–1973); 3376 cc 4V V8 (VG21/30/35; 1973–1982); 3994 cc 5V V8 (VG40/45; 1982–1997).
How big is the Toyota Century (First generation)?
5,120 mm long and 1,890 mm wide, on a 2,860 mm wheelbase. For container loading, use the container packer.
Answered from this page's own data, not from outside claims. See the sources below.
- en.wikipedia.org (retrieved 2026-10-19)
Confidence: single-source (Wikipedia infobox). Specifications differ by market, trim and model year; the auction sheet or the vehicle's registration document is the final word on a particular car.
- Complete guide · 12 minHow to Import a Used Luxury Car from Japan: Auction Grades, Paperwork and Country Rules (2026)How to import a used luxury car from Japan: what an auction grade means, how to check mileage and history, which export papers Japan asks for, and the age rules in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Kenya.
- General import guide · 9 minHow Much Does It Cost to Import a Car from Japan? (2026)Shipping is only part of it. The real cost of importing a car from Japan stacks purchase, freight, duty, fees, and US-side costs. Here's the full breakdown for 2026, with a worked example.
- General import guide · 9 minThe 25-Year Import Rule, Explained (2026)The 25-year rule is the single most important law in car importing — and the most misunderstood. Here's how it actually works, by month of manufacture, with the EPA and NHTSA thresholds untangled.
- General import guide · 8 min7 Common Car Import Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)Most import horror stories come down to a handful of avoidable mistakes. Here are the seven that cost first-time importers the most money and stress — and exactly how to avoid each one.
- General import guide · 8 minHow to Check a Used Car's History Before ImportingA clean photo and a low mileage number prove nothing on their own. Here's how to verify a Japanese car's real history — mileage, accidents, grade — before you commit a single yen.
- General import guide · 7 minContainer vs RoRo Shipping: Which to ChooseRoRo is cheaper; container is safer. The choice between the two main ways to ship a car from Japan comes down to your car's value and what you're willing to risk. Here's how to decide.