Toyota recently made its first appearance at the 1000 Miglia, often called the world's most beautiful race. Five cars, led by the first-generation Crown, took on the challenge of a race spanning more than 1,000 miles.
There’s a race known as “the most beautiful race in the world”—the 1000 Miglia (Mille Miglia).
Held every year in Italy, it earns that name as classic cars from around the world wind through historic streets past landmarks such as the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Colosseum.
This event traces its roots to a public road race held nearly 100 years ago. Until this year, only the cars that competed then, or their equivalent models, were allowed to enter.
But the 2026 event, held in early June, opened a new category, born from a wish to welcome a wider range of celebrated cars.
Toyota entered that category with five vehicles, including the first-generation Crown.
It marked the first time a Japanese automaker had ever entered the 1000 Miglia.
The race covers more than 1,600 km over five days.
For all its beauty, the race was brutal on classic cars as mountain roads with punishing elevation changes and uneven cobblestones took their toll.
Even the first-generation Crown, first launched more than 70 years ago in 1955, wasn’t spared. Overheating and other troubles left it battered.
Driven by Toyota’s commitment to “ever-better carmaking rooted in motorsports,” and by a wish to share Toyota’s journey and Japan’s car culture with the world, the team set out to complete the race with five cars led by the Crown.
Would they make it to the end?