Toyota100: The Toyota Century Forum

A thread to compile information for the VG20 platform, please do not comment on this thread as I will update this

The Start of the Century

The VG10 Crown Eight, ( Word Eight Deriving from V8) was the first Japanese production car to have a 90 Degrees 2600CC V8. This car paved the way for the VG20 Century, In terms of technology the Crown Eight was way ahead of the time having automatic headlights, powered windows (including power quarter windows), and a power steering wheel just to name a few. In 1967 the Crown Eight nameplate was due for a model change, Toyota decided to cancel the Crown Eights Model Change in Favor of the new nameplate 'Century' to Celebrate the 100th birthday of the Sakichi Toyoda.

Let me clarify something about the VG generation, from 1967 to 1997 the wheelbase length never changed Until the VG45 (Which is the last of the VG Generation), its the same chassis but improved upon. With many changes along the way through the different decades of the platform existing they simply improved upon everything else. Body, engine, drivetrain etc. The VG series came out only as a V8, not to get confused with the infamous second generations (GZG50) 1GZFE V12.

These earlier Centuries, had different color backgrounds on their emblem to show the specification of the vehicle.

Comparison from Crown Eight to VG20 Century

Overall Length = +260mm
Overall Width = + 45mm
Overall Weight (VG20A) + 325KG
Overall Weight (VG20B) + 290KG
Overall Weight (VG20C) + 325KG
Overall Weight (VG20D) + 425KG

Dimensions & Other for VG20

Total Length – 4980mm
Overall Width – 1980mm
Overall Height – 1450mm
Minimum ground clearance – 175mm
Overhang excluding Front bumper – 755mm
Overhang excluding Rear bumper – 1255mm
Turning Radius – 5.7m
Vehicle Weight – 1700kg
Wheelbase – 2860mm
Tread Front – 1520mm
Tread Rear – 1540mm
Tire Size – 7.35 – 14 – 6PR

Engine
3V V8 (2981cc)
Inner Diameter X Stroke – 78 x 78
Total Displacement – 2.981cc
Compression Ratio – 9.8
Maximum output KW/PS/RPM – 110KW 150PS 5200RPM
Maximum torque NM/KG-M/RPM – 235NM 24 KG-M 3600RPM
Firing order – 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2
Fuel tank capacity is unknown for now

Steering type & Suspension type
Steering Type - Ball recirculating type
Steering gear ratio – 19.8
Front wheel suspension system – Independent suspension pneumatic
Rear wheel suspension system – Trailing arm link type
Coil Dimensions – Wire diameter x Center diameter x Free Length – 14.7 X 110.0 X 348.5
Stabilizer – Torsion bar

Changes In VG20 Life Span

November 1968
Front fender indicator added (they made them compulsory around this time)
Rear Muffler outlet has been moved to outside and the shape of the rear bumper was changed accordingly
A/C outlet shape was changed

1969
In an article in August showed the VG20 had an output of 150PS or 110KW with a cooling fan with 5 blades
In an article in October showed the VG20 Had an output of 170PS or 125KW with a cooling fan with 7 blades

October 1971
A Type was discontinued

May 1972
Regular Gasoline Specification added with a new motor (3V-R) Made to order same price as the standard car (high octane)
The cooling fan was also yet again changed to 8 Resin Blades

Below will be the relevant information about each grade of VG20 Century

VG20 A

Middle range specification

The emblem's background color is Aquamarine

Features

Centre console/Armrest
Black Leather seats although known as (Bucket seats) with headrests on the brochure
4 speed - Manual transmission on the floor
LSD Differential
Came with a Volt meter and Fuel gauge inside the center console
Power Windows

Transmission & Gear Ratios

Format – 4-stage synchromesh MT
Operation Method – Floor shift
1st Gear – 3.673
2nd Gear – 2.114
3rd Gear – 1.403
4th Gear – 1.000
Recession 4.183
Reduction ratio 3.545


Details
Capacity – 5 People (Separate Front Seats)
Weight - 1700 kg
170 kmh Top Speed

Same Price as the Toyota 2000GT in the 60s
2.380,000 Yen

A Specification colors include

Kamii Eternal Black (Kamii was spelt different in this time period)
Fuji Noble White
Heinan Gracious Maroon

VG20 B

Base specification

The emblem's background color is Crimson

Features

Manual Windows
Fabric Seats
No Conlights
No Headrests
3 - Speed Manual Transmission

And not much else

Transmission & Gear Ratios

Format – 3-stage synchromesh MT
Operation Method – Column Shift
1st Gear – 3.059
2nd Gear – 1.645
3rd Gear – 1.000
Recession 4.079
Reduction ratio 3.545

Details
Capacity - 6 People (Bench seats front & back)
Weight - 1665kg
Top speed - 170kmh

Cheaper than the 2000GT in the 60's at the time
2,080,000 Yen

A Specification colors include

Kamii Eternal Black

Yes this is the only color available for this specification

VG20 C

Middle specification 'Luxury'

The emblem's background color is Aquamarine

Features

ToyoGlide Column Automatic Gearbox (3AT)
Auto Drive (It was basically cruise control back then)
Fabric Bench Seats
Power Windows

Details
Capacity - 5 People (Separate front seats)
Weight - 1700kg
Top speed - 160kmh

Still a lower price for the bench marked 2000GT of the 60's at
2,280,000Yen

C Specification colors include

Kamii Eternal Black
Mashu Calm Blue
Heinan Gracious Maroon
Unzen Misty Gray
Horai Lucid Green

VG20 D

Top specification

The emblem's background color is Violet

Features

Power Windows (Including Quarter Windows)
Air Conditioning as standard
Very Early Air purification system as standard ( I will research more how this functions)
ToyoGlide 3 - Speed automatic Column transmission
Auto Drive (Basically old school cruise control)

D Specification colors include

Kamii Eternal Black
Mashu Calm Blue
Unzen Misty Gray
Heinan Gracious Maroon
Horai Lucid Green

Details
Capacity - 5 People ( Separate front seats)
Weight - 1800kg
Top speed - 160kmh

This Specification was actually 300k yen over the 2000GT's price in the 60's at
2,680,000 Yen

VG20 Century Police Vehicle

VG20 Police Vehicle but inside

VG20 Limousine

Need to do more research on this, Not sure if it's a Legit Limousine or if it was a conversion, but it looks good either way

The GT45 was an experimental hybrid drivetrain test vehicle.

Displayed at the 1975 Tokyo Motor Show and was called the GT45 for experimental reasons. The VG20 had a gas turbine and an electric motor. However these components took up too much room, This specification of Century never achieved mass production.

The gas turbine acted as a source of power generation while the electric motor worked for regeneration.

According to Road & Track Magazine the Top speed is 160kmh

Eisaku Sato was the Prime Minister of Japan from 1964 - 1974. This was his official car before he passed away.

This particular Century VG20 D specification (Highest Specification)

It was ordered at private expense. After Sato passed It was bought by Sogo Security Agency where they used it to transport VIP clients . In 1993 the Century was yet again dismissed for service this time for good. Now the Century sits in the Motorcar Museum of Japan in the Ishikawa Prefecture.

Features:

The quarter windows have been sealed shut since the glass is bulletproof. The four main windows are still operational. The quarter window switches have been removed from the drivers side switch panel.

Added a Rear seat door assist grip. Probably because the door was too heavy to close without it. There are extra steel plating in the doors apparently. These door grips were later added on the VG35 Century

From what I can tell the center console has been widened for the extra accessories fitted to the Century. The outer front two seats actually have become narrower.

The Fender mirrors were retrofitted from a Toyota Crown in the 70s too. Original VG20 Century mirrors do not have this design. Both are powered so it makes no difference.

The front bumper was changed as well to a VG21 bumper some time in its life. Probably when it changed hands. It also has VG21 Climate & Radio Controls, the gauge cluster was changed to a VG21 cluster. (VG21 is basically the same vehicle but different engine & slightly different exterior wise).

I believe the vinyl roof was an option for these VG series vehicles. This one has one not very common for a Japanese vehicle in this time period.

One of the only VG20's I have ever seen with lace curtains. It would've costed a fortune back in the 70s to put them in.

The license plates changed during ownership in some time period.