Developing Royal Legacy: Transmitting Expertise to Future Rulers (Part 7)

In the spring of 2022, a unique restoration project began at the Motomachi Plant. The first-generation Toyota Crown, a classic symbol of automotive history, was brought back to life, not just mechanically, but in terms of its decorative parts and lamps as well.

The Raw Material Development Division, known for its ability to create things from raw materials, played a pivotal role in this restoration. Their mission was to develop and supply the precise materials needed to restore these period-correct parts, maintaining the vehicle's historical integrity while meeting modern quality standards.

One of the significant challenges was sourcing materials that exactly matched the original specifications from the 1950s. Many raw materials and coatings used in the original production are now obsolete or no longer available. To overcome this, the team delved into historical documents and samples, painstakingly researching to find suitable alternatives.

Balancing traditional craftsmanship with modern production techniques was another hurdle. Artisans had to recreate hand-finished appearances and textures while leveraging current material technologies. For instance, Shinji Tanaka, a project member, worked tirelessly to restore and fabricate the car's tail lamps and other lights, with assistance from the Raw Material Development Division. Tanaka succeeded in reproducing the original tail lamp and turn signal hues by tweaking the amount of coloring material mixed into the resin in 0.1-gram increments.

Ensuring functional restoration without compromising authenticity was another key concern. For example, the lamps needed to operate safely according to today’s standards but look as they did in the first-generation Crown. The Raw Material Development Division’s expertise in materials science, combined with the craftsmanship of sheet metal and finish masters, was vital in overcoming these challenges.

The project also aimed to transfer skills from veterans to younger generations. Shuji Shudo, materials team leader, oversaw the interior and exterior parts production and credits the division's junior staff for their cooperation. Nagato and her peers refined the plan for pouring metal into the sand mold and the cooling method, with Motoki's guidance.

For some components, surviving blueprints were used to create 3D design data, while for others, 2D drawings were translated into 3D design data. The Raw Material Development Division used its latest casting mold 3D printers to create molds for the components. Zinc alloy casting was a challenge due to its low melting point and the fact that the technology and expertise for producing sand-cast zinc alloy parts was becoming a lost art within Toyota. However, Shudo and the Raw Material Development Division staff found a solution to fill surface pores on zinc alloy parts by stretching out welding rods made from antimony and laser-welding part surfaces.

The restoration of the first-generation Toyota Crown’s decorative parts and lamps involved intricate craftsmanship and advanced material development, resulting in a faithful restoration that preserved the heritage and artistry of the original Crown while subtly enhancing performance and durability with modern techniques.

[1] Toyota Motor Corporation. (2022). Restoration of First-Generation Toyota Crown Begins. Retrieved from https://global.toyota/en/newsroom/corporate/30636319.html

[3] Toyota Motor Corporation. (2022). Restoration of First-Generation Toyota Crown: A Blend of Tradition and Modernity. Retrieved from https://global.toyota/en/newsroom/corporate/30636319.html

The Raw Material Development Division, a division within Toyota Motor Corporation, utilized their expertise in technology and finance to source and develop the specific materials needed for the restoration of the first-generation Toyota Crown, ensuring the preservation of the vehicle's historical integrity while meeting modern quality standards.
In the transportation industry, the first-generation Toyota Crown's restoration project involved overcoming challenges in the manufacturing of period-correct parts, including the production of obsolete raw materials and coatings, a task that required collaboration between craftsmen, artisans, and technology specialists.
As part of the first-generation Toyota Crown's restoration project, the Raw Material Development Division employed modern production techniques alongside traditional craftsmanship to recreate hand-finished appearances and textures, bridging the gap between automotive history and contemporary manufacturing in the industry.