October 31: Toyota arrives in the United States on this date in 1957

On this day 56 years ago, in an old Rambler dealership in Hollywood, Calif., a Japanese company with two blocky sedans shipped across the Pacific opened for business. Toyota didn't sell any Crown sedans in 1957, but a year later it had 45 dealers and sales of 287 cars, along with a few Land Cruisers. But it wouldn't be until 1965, when Toyota began importing the Corona designed with American tastes in mind, that the company gained more than a passing notice from many consumers. This year, once again the Toyota Camry will keep its crown as the best-selling car in the United States, and no automaker sells more cars and trucks in California — although it took several years to catch the hang of American car advertising: