He came second in 1979 before winning the Danish Championship in 1980. The Toyota Celica (Japanese: トヨタ セリカ) / ˈ s ɛ l ɪ k ə / or / s ɛ ˈ l iː k ə / is an automobile produced by Toyota from 1970 to 2006. [6] However, some magazines thought it was based on the Corona due to some shared mechanical parts.[5]. shortened shift lever throw and clutch pedal travel. The Celica (usually the first through third-generation rear-wheel drive models powered by R series engines) was sometimes raced privately in stock car racing, usually in four-cylinder classes at the grassroots level. The Liftback was often called the "Japanese Mustang" or the "Mustang Celica. The GT-Four was available as a model year 1988, 2 years after the release in Japan. ST205 won 1 full WRC series, and 2 overall winner in the W2L series. Displayed at the October 1970 Tokyo Motor Show[8] together with the Toyota Carina[9] and marketed from December of the same year, the Celica was a two-door hardtop coupé that emphasized styling and driving enjoyment based on a platform shared with the Carina sedan[6] which is one size above the Toyota Corolla, and a shared size with the Toyota Corona. The SS-III came with standard Super Strut Suspension and side aerodynamic rocker panels. The E150F with 4.285 final gear ratio was installed in the Japanese market and All-Trac. The SS-II has climate control AC with digital display. Super Live Sound System with 10 speakers became standard on the GT-Four A. ", "This Toyota Celica Liftback GT Beautifully Couples Japanese And American Design", "Collectible Classic: 1976-1977 Toyota Celica GT Liftback", "75 Years of TOYOTA | Part2 Chapter1 Section3 | Item 4. With its sport-style interior, power-operated driver's seat, auto tilt-away steering wheel, SRS Airbag, and cruise control as standard equipment, the ST185 All-Trac Turbo was the most expensive Celica yet. Standard features in addition to the GT trim included an 8-way adjustable sports bucket seats with power lumbar and side bolsters, automatic climate control, side mirror defogger, wrap-around spoiler, telescopic steering wheel, and speed-rated 205/60-14 tires on 14"x6" alloy wheels. Japanese market models were now S-R, Z-R, GT-R, Active Sports (first Toyota with Toyota Active Control Suspension), and GT-Four. [5], This car was aimed at the North American market and was Toyota's response to the 1964½ Ford Mustang (Pony car) which also was a standard sedan (Ford Falcon) with stylized 2+2 bodywork.[10][5]. Later in 1973 Japanese GTVs had a roof console "OK" monitor with a map light and a cluster of trouble indicators which detected blown brake bulbs, brake fluid level, main fuse & a floor console engine oil temperature gauge. Unlike the two AMI GTs, very little is known about this car. The facelift model front end was not only featured square headlights, but also came with new grille, and revised hood and fenders which were not interchangeable with the parts of pre-facelift model. For 1997, the only change in the North American Celica was the discontinuation of the GT coupe. In August 1978, the GTV was replaced by the GT-Rally, a limited edition model that had a 1.6-liter 2T-GEU or 2.0-liter 18R-GEU engine, special grill, special bumpers, black interior (against the norm of coloured interiors of the time) and was only available in white or lime green paint. Power steering and power brakes were standard, with ventilated discs in the front and drum brakes in the rear to go along with a 4x100 bolt pattern. Production of the GT-Four (or previously known as All-Trac in the US), continued for the Japanese, Australian, European, and British markets. The Celica GT-Four came in three generations; ST165, based on the fourth generation Celica, and manufactured between October 1986 and August 1989; the Super Round shape ST185 produced from September 1989 to September 1993; and ST205 was built from February 1994 to June 1999. [citation needed]. Toyota has always claimed that they knew nothing of the fix â but opponents say it was one very cleverly engineered device. The ST was the lightest T160 chassis at 2455 lbs. Other changes included changes to the front and rear badges, the relocation of the towing hooks, changes to the colour of the wing mirrors (on cars equipped with sports type mirrors) and changes to the centre console on ST and GT models.[12]. Taillights redesign (with smoke red frame). The 'A' was dropped from the 'GT-Four A' and the wide-body turbo model was simply known as the GT-Four. [39] It was entered into GT300 class of the Japanese Grand Touring Championship(and later Super GT) until 2008, which they switched their car to Lexus IS350 in race 3 that season. The Celica name derives from the Latin word coelica meaning "heavenly" or "celestial". [citation needed] The Celica received facelift for 2003 model year. Toyota took time to lighten the car and lower cost wherever possible. "[13] It had fastback styling similarities to the 1968 Ford Mustang, as seen in the film Bullitt, including C-pillar louvers and the vertical bar tail lights that are a signature Mustang styling cue and pay overall homages to the muscle-car era.[14][5]. Another minor change was given to Japanese market Celicas in December 1997. [24] The vehicle with the 2.0 litre engine was regarded as the top trim level package due to the increased annual road tax so the GT was fully equipped to justify the tax liability. Rack and pinion steering was offered for this generation Celica. All Australian models were taken from the 2,500 units homologation run and had black leather interior and a full size spare wheel. The 2000 model year Celica was an element of Toyota Project Genesis, an effort to bring younger buyers to the marque in the United States. Although TTE was banned for the 1996 World Rally Championship season, the Celica ST205 still competed in 1996 and 1997 World Rally Championship season ran by private teams, most notably HF Grifone from Italy and Toyota importers in certain countries. The Celica RA23, TA23, RA28, and TA28 had a more distinctive bulged hood which was lacking in the TA22 or RA20/21 coupé and in the TA27 and RA25 Liftback but was factory in 1975 on the North American RA22 Celica to accommodate the larger 20R motor. Unlike other Celicas, this Carina-derived model is a four-door sedan rather than a coupe or Liftback. The high WRC-style rear spoiler was not available for this facelift model, but returned on the second minor change in December 1997. In 1986, the chassis was designated as the ST161. In later models, the sunroof was made of glass, probably for cost reasons. The Japanese market convertible also has 4WS. Toyota ellipse emblems on the hood and trunk. The ST205 became a center of controversy when the works Toyota Team Europe was banned for 12 months from the WRC because of use of an illegal turbo air restrictor. Different hood, the emphasis of which is to get rid of heat as fast as possible (instead of scooping in air, as is the case with the standard ST185 hood). Sienna CE. Just like the TA22 GT, the RA25 GT model was never imported due to the power to weight ratio & higher insurance for the twin-cam motor all of which quickly halted any notion of the GTs becoming a staple in the Celica family in Australia. The coupe bodystyle in Japan was used only for the Corona coupe, sold only at Japanese Toyota dealerships Toyopet Store without the retractable headlights. Tacoma PreRunner. However, Australia was the country with the large numbers of ST185. Toyota Celica Turbo 4WD (Canada and some European countries), Toyota Celica Turbo 4WD (Canada and various European countries). The second series had a flat nose (square front corner light) and slightly longer wheelbase (98 in or 2,500 mm wheelbase). It was rated at 190 bhp (142 kW; 193 PS) and 190 lbâ
ft (258 Nâ
m). The Celica convertible was built by American Sunroof Corporation (ASC) in California. At ASC, the roof was removed and a three-layer insulated and power-operated top was installed, producing a vehicle that was virtually water and windproof. In most European countries these models were available instead: The convertible (better known as cabriolet) was based on the 2.0 GT. Instead of using the Super Strut Suspension as found in the production cars, the actual ST205 rally cars for WRC came with standard strut suspension as they found the wear rates too high from the rigors of rallying. A 5-speed manual was the only transmission available in 1986, with a 4-speed automatic being optional 1987 onwards, bringing the curb weight to 2522 lbs. This version was to be the most powerful Celica produced to date, producing between 242 PS (178 kW; 239 bhp) for the export model and 255 PS (188 kW; 252 bhp) for the Japanese market model from an updated 3S-GTE engine matched to the E154F gearbox. Early models didn't have ABS and fog lights which became standard few months after introduction. We have an excellent selection of Celica custom parts, like body kits, … [24] With full-time all-wheel drive, including an electronically controlled central locking differential, and a turbocharged version of the GT-S 2.0 L engine producing 190 hp (142 kW) (3S-GTE), it immediately took its place as the flagship of the Celica range and became the official Toyota rally car for all years of production. WRC Driver's Titles with Carlos Sainz in 1992. In some markets, the lower-end LT was equipped with the single carbureted four-cylinder 2T engine displacing 1600 cc, while the ST came with a twin Solex downdraft carburetor 2T-B engine.