History


The 60 series, introduced in 1978 was better known, being the first to be extensively sold outside Japan. It was offered with 993 (KP60 2K), 1,166 (KP62 3K) and 1,290 cc (KP61 4K) engines. Three- and five-door hatchbacks were offered in export markets, although a distinctive 5-door wagon variant was sold in Japan, Hong Kong and Germany. Trim levels were StandardDe Luxe (also known as DX in some markets), GLXLS, and SE.

In 1978 the first 60 series Starlet had the round lights nicknamed "Bugeye" or called Mark I from British and the commonwealth countries. 

Then in 1980 the car was facelifted to include square headlights  



and a second face-lift followed in 1983 to incorporate a slant nose front end, and lower hatch opening.


The KP61 was the only Starlet ever sold in the USA from 1981 to 1984, and the fwd Toyota Corolla FX replaced it in 1985. The 1981–1982 models came with standard 5-speed manual transmission and tachometer. It is an equivalent to other markets' S model. The 1983–1984 models were additionally offered with Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI) with the 4K engine, but with 4-speed manual transmission, and similar to other markets' XLi model. The 60 series Starlets are the last series that sport the rear wheel drive configuration.