The Toyota Corolla KE70 Was Never a Pickup – Until a Polish Workshop Decided Otherwise
The Toyota Corolla KE70 is one of the most recognisable small cars of the early 1980s. Millions were built, and countless examples survived rust, neglect, and decades of daily abuse. But here’s the thing: Toyota never made a KE70 pickup. Not in Japan, not in Australia, and certainly not for the European market. So when a workshop in Poland decided to chop the roof off one and turn it into a ute, the internet took notice.
For UK enthusiasts, this kind of build raises a few interesting questions. Could you register something like this in Britain? What would it cost to import? And why would anyone bother converting a humble Corolla into a pickup in the first place?
The KE70: A Brief History of Toyota’s Ubiquitous Small Car
The KE70 was part of the seventh generation of Toyota Corolla, produced between 1979 and 1987. It was the last Corolla to feature rear-wheel drive, a solid rear axle, and a leaf-sprung rear end – a recipe that made it tough, simple, and endlessly customisable.
Power came from the 1.3-litre 4K engine, producing around 55-65 bhp depending on the market. That doesn’t sound like much, but the KE70 weighed barely 850 kg. It was slow, but it was also practically indestructible. In Australia, the KE70 was sold as a sedan, a wagon, and even a coupe – but never as a pickup. Toyota’s commercial offerings at the time were the Hilux and the LiteAce, and the Corolla stayed firmly in the passenger car camp.
So when a Polish builder presented a KE70 with a proper pickup bed, it wasn’t a factory special. It was a custom fabrication job – and a rather good one at that.
The Polish KE70 Ute Conversion: What We Know
The car in question appeared on social media and automotive forums in 2023, and it’s a textbook example of how a simple idea can be executed brilliantly. The builder took a standard KE70 sedan, cut the roof off behind the front seats, and fabricated a pickup bed from scratch.
Key features of the build include:
- A shortened wheelbase or modified rear section to accommodate the bed
- A custom rear window and bulkhead, similar to what you’d find on a factory ute
- The original 4K engine retained, keeping the car’s mechanical simplicity
- Steel wheels and period-correct styling, giving it a factory look
What makes this conversion particularly impressive is the finish. Many home-built utes look rough around the edges, but this one looks like it could have rolled off a Toyota production line in 1982. The panel gaps are tight, the bed lines are straight, and the proportions are convincing.
Could You Build or Import a KE70 Pickup in the UK?
Here’s where things get interesting for British buyers. The KE70 was never officially sold in the UK in huge numbers, but a decent number of examples were imported over the years, mainly from Japan and Australia. A KE70 pickup, however, is a different story altogether.
Importing a KE70 Pickup to the UK
If you wanted to import a KE70 pickup – whether a Polish conversion or a genuine Australian-market ute – you’d need to consider the following:
- Age and Duty: Vehicles over 10 years old qualify for reduced import duty under the UK’s used vehicle rules. A KE70 from the 1980s would attract 0% duty and 0% VAT under the historic vehicle exemption, provided it meets the criteria.
- IVA Testing: If the vehicle is substantially modified – and a sedan-to-pickup conversion definitely counts – it may require an Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA) test before it can be registered. This is a thorough inspection covering safety, emissions, and construction standards.
- Registration: Once IVA is passed, the vehicle can be registered with a Q plate (for kit-built or radically altered vehicles) or an age-related plate if it meets the criteria for an original vehicle.
- Insurance: Modified vehicles often require specialist insurance. A KE70 pickup with a custom body would likely fall into the “modified classic” category, which means agreed-value policies are available but premiums will be higher than a standard Corolla.
Right-Hand Drive Considerations
The KE70 was sold in right-hand drive in Japan, Australia, and New Zealand, so sourcing a correct RHD example is straightforward. However, the Polish conversion we’re discussing is almost certainly left-hand drive, as Poland is a LHD market.
For UK buyers, this matters. A LHD KE70 pickup can be registered and driven in the UK, but it will be less practical for daily use. RHD examples from Japan or Australia would be more user-friendly, but they’re rarer – and the conversion work would need to be done from scratch, as no factory RHD pickup ever existed.
Key Takeaway: If you’re serious about owning a KE70 pickup in the UK, the most practical route is to import a RHD sedan from Japan or Australia and have the conversion done locally. That way, you get the correct steering position and the build quality can be verified before you commit.
How Much Would a KE70 Pickup Cost in the UK?
Pricing for KE70 pickups is all over the place, mainly because they’re so rare. Here’s a rough breakdown of what you might expect to pay:
| Option | Estimated Cost (GBP) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard KE70 sedan (UK) | £2,000 – £5,000 | Depends on condition, rust, and MOT status |
| Japanese import KE70 sedan | £3,000 – £7,000 | RHD, often lower mileage, may need rust treatment |
| Polish KE70 pickup conversion | £8,000 – £15,000 | LHD, custom bodywork, unique but impractical for UK daily use |
| UK-built KE70 pickup conversion | £10,000 – £20,000 | RHD, bespoke fabrication, includes IVA and registration costs |
These figures assume the car is in good mechanical condition. Rust is the biggest enemy of the KE70, and any serious corrosion in the sills, floor pans, or chassis rails will add thousands to the restoration bill.
Why Build a KE70 Pickup at All?
The obvious question is: why bother? There are plenty of small pickups on the market, from the Ford Ranger to the Toyota Hilux. But the KE70 pickup appeals to a specific kind of enthusiast – someone who values simplicity, character, and the sheer joy of driving something nobody else has.
Here’s what makes the KE70 pickup special:
- Lightweight and Simple: No electronics, no turbochargers, no complex 4WD systems. Just a basic engine, a manual gearbox, and a chassis that’s easy to work on.
- RWD Fun: The KE70’s rear-wheel drive layout makes it a hoot to drive, especially on tight B-roads. The leaf-sprung rear end isn’t the most refined, but it’s honest and predictable.
- Practicality: A pickup bed adds genuine utility. Whether you’re hauling garden waste, moving furniture, or carrying track-day tyres, the KE70 pickup can do it – slowly, but it’ll do it.
- Conversation Starter: You won’t see another one at a car meet. That alone is worth the effort for many owners.
The Legal Side: What UK Owners Need to Know
If you’re tempted to build or import a KE70 pickup, there are a few legal considerations to keep in mind:
- MOT: Vehicles over 40 years old are exempt from MOT testing in the UK, but they must still be roadworthy. A KE70 from 1983 or earlier would qualify for this exemption.
- Tax: Historic vehicles (over 40 years old) are exempt from Vehicle Excise Duty. Again, a KE70 from the early 1980s would qualify.
- Emissions: Vehicles over 40 years old are also exempt from ULEZ charges in London, provided they meet the historic vehicle criteria. This is a significant advantage for owners who want to drive in the capital.
- Insurance: As mentioned, modified vehicles need specialist cover. Companies like Adrian Flux and Lancaster Insurance handle classic and modified vehicles, and they’re familiar with unusual builds like this.
Key Takeaway: A KE70 pickup registered as a historic vehicle in the UK is exempt from MOT, road tax, and ULEZ charges. That makes it an incredibly cheap car to run – even with the higher insurance premiums for a modified classic.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Toyota Corolla KE70 pickup a factory model?
No. Toyota never produced a factory KE70 pickup. The car was sold as a sedan, wagon, and coupe, with commercial duties handled by the Hilux and LiteAce. The pickup conversions you see are all aftermarket or custom builds.
Can I import a KE70 pickup to the UK?
Yes, but it’s not straightforward. If the vehicle is over 10 years old, it qualifies for reduced import duty. Vehicles over 40 years old may be exempt from duty and VAT entirely. However, a modified vehicle like a pickup conversion may require an IVA test before it can be registered.
How much does a KE70 pickup cost in the UK?
Prices vary widely depending on the build quality, steering position, and condition. Expect to pay anywhere from £8,000 for a basic LHD conversion to £20,000 or more for a high-quality RHD build with fresh paint and mechanicals.
Is a KE70 pickup exempt from ULEZ charges?
Vehicles over 40 years old that meet the historic vehicle criteria are exempt from ULEZ charges in London. A KE70 from the early 1980s would qualify, provided it’s registered as a historic vehicle.
Final Thoughts: Should You Build One?
The Polish KE70 pickup is proof that you don’t need a six-figure budget or a warehouse full of exotic machinery to create something genuinely special. With a decent donor car, a welder, and a bit of patience, you can build a vehicle that turns heads, starts conversations, and puts a smile on your face every time you drive it.
For UK enthusiasts, the path is clear: source a RHD KE70 sedan from Japan or Australia, find a fabricator who knows their way around a roll cage and a sheet metal brake, and budget for the IVA process. It won’t be cheap, and it won’t be quick, but the result will be a one-of-one machine that’s perfectly suited to British roads – and exempt from the charges that plague modern motoring.
The KE70 was never meant to be a pickup. But sometimes, the best cars are the ones that shouldn’t exist. If you’ve got the skills, the budget, and the patience, this could be the most rewarding project you’ll ever take on.
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