No conversation about Japanese classic cars is complete without a mention of the Toyota Celica. The Celica nameplate, though retired since 2006, lived for seven generations and 36 years, making it one of the most widely recognized and historically significant cars from that era and part of the world.
The Pick of the Day is a remarkably original, unrestored 1983 Toyota Celica GT with only 48,000 miles on the odometer. It seems fitting that this Celica is shown in a shade of blue that nearly identically matches the sky in the photographs, since the word “Celica” is of Latin origin and means “heavenly” or “celestial.”
When the Celica launched in the early 1970s, it targeted the U.S. market by emphasizing styling and driving enjoyment in a similar fashion that the Ford Mustang had just a few years prior. The Celica was based on the Toyota Carina sedan, but it was configured as a hardtop coupe.
By the time the third generation rolled out at the end of 1981, the car’s design had evolved by giving it an aerodynamic wedge nose and either notchback or liftback rear ends. The more popular arrangement was the liftback, as shown in this nice-looking example. Over time, the Celica developed a reputation for being a sports car – eventually paving the way for the Supra in 1986, which initially was a Celica at its core.
The seller in NoHo Arts District, California, advertising the Celica on ClassicCars.com describes it as a “survivor class vehicle.” The originality is retained throughout, from the metallic blue paint to the matching blue-cloth interior. Its mechanical condition is in a similar preserved state, with new Toyo tires and a recent successful California smog check, the seller says.
The 2.4-liter “22R-E” 4-cylinder engine is one of Toyota’s most-ubiquitous powerplants, known for dependability and planted in a variety of different models, including the Toyota pickup, Corona and 4Runner. The seller notes that everything on the car works, including cold air conditioning which is an important necessity in some regions this time of year.
Worth noting is that this generation of Celica was the last to be rear-wheel-drive, as the subsequent body style went through a full redesign and platform change. Purists who prefer RWD handling dynamics definitely will want to give this one a closer look, as sub-50,000-mile third-generation Celicas are becoming rarer by the day.
The seller has an asking price of just $8,995.
To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.
I have a 1997 Toyota Celica convertible two owners a doctor and then myself I’ve been restoring it for the last five years… I love that car it’s simple it drives well great on gas… As soon as it’s complete paint done and extras on the interior once finished I will it take that out for a good long ride… Love this car.
Puke Blue!
9,000 Rubles maybe!
Pretty decent deal
Automatic, though
Had a mid 80’s Celica /Supra ,sun roof,fast ,ice cold AC, maybe one of the best cars,Looked identical to the one pictured. Never should have sold it.
Buy American vehicles!
Remind me of just how ugly most 80’s cars were.
Had an 84 Supra Red with grey with Recaro seats rear window louvers and a stick, still looking for one loved that car
I have a 91 celiac GT convertible I bought about 6 yrs ago from a doctor who bought it new. He put only 7500 miles on it. (Around the neighborhood once a month) it now has 8940 miles on it because i love to drive it a few times in the summer and autumn. I’ve upgraded to a killer CD stereo system and very nice wheels and new tires.
This was a sentimental purchase as my mom gave me her white one on my 50th bad. Unfortunately it just got destroyed in the weather because I had no garage. I since moved to a 3 car garage and began looking for another one. I found a white one and a red one after months of searching. The red one was the choice with only 7500 miles on it.
I would love to put a pic or 2 in here but not sure how to.
I bought this car from the Dealer in North Hollywood. It was not quite as it was represented but I spent some $ on it and made it ‘saleable’. I sold it at the McCormick Auction in Nov. and came out very well. It was the first time I ever bought a car ‘sight unseen’ and the last, and I’ve been in the Auto Business since 1955 !