Japanese Cars That Changed the Game

Toyota brought its boxy, bland-looking Corolla to the United States two years after its overseas debut. It was equipped with a 1.1-liter four-cylinder engine that produced about 60 horsepower, a four-speed manual transmission, and rear-wheel drive, all for about $1,700. Toyota promised up to 30 mpg and a top speed of 87 mph. That first model may not have been built to thrill, but in time, the Corolla would become the bestselling nameplate of all time. In fact, after 55 years and 12 generations of this inescapable icon, Toyota recently announced that it sold its 50 millionth Corolla in July. 

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