1971 Toyota Celica - Jay Leno's Garage

[NWFRS]

Oh my.

This brings back memories.

[ame]http://youtu.be/KqzhfjbnXg0[/ame]


I love every line of those little cars.

They're truly "pretty" from every angle-I feel like that's something that can't be said for most Japanese cars. There was a time after high school when I had four of them. Only two were any good-a little blue '71 st coupe and a restored '74 GT coupe, black on black with a built 20/22r engine. My daily driver was a white '77 st coupe. I finally managed to give away the engineless '77 Liftback about a year ago-just in time, as it would have fallen victim to the recent Chelan fire like my Uncle's little 914.

I know there are a few members here who still maintain and drive them. Would any owners care to share some stories and photos...?

[ajaxthebetter]

There is a guy who lives in my area who drives one most every day--at leasr during the summer. Really good shape.

I have an affinity for these vehicles as well even though Ive never been around one. My mother's first purchased vehicle was a liftback Celica. She sold it when she had me. Ironically, she encouraged me to by the BRZ so I too could have my sports car. Much like her, my first real modifications where wheels--needless to say, she gets it, haha.

[Turdinator]

I have to wait till I'm home to watch the vid as my work blocks youtube but I love the 1st gen Celicas. They are brilliant cars. Beautiful lines and for their age they have all the right gear. I still have my 1974 model, it is an Australian delivered one with a number of JDM parts including the twin cam 2TG motor. It is so much fun to drive.

[Packofcrows]

so fkn jelly. Mine was a yellowish 77 and was totalled by a van.... sniff sniff

[roddy]

I really like the 1st gen Celica...definitely on my car "bucket list", along with an early Datsun 240Z and 510.

[joe strummer]

Oh yeah. Beautiful.

[mx5 2nr]

Damn... I love these cars so much. When my parents moved to America, one of the first things my dad purchased was a new silver '75 (iirc) coupe straight off the showroom floor. It came with the louvered panels in the back & I thought it was the most awesomest car in the world, next to the Trans Am in Smokey in the Bandit, and the General Lee. We had it until I was about 13 & he sold it to buy a Toyota truck when we bought acreage in the "country".


I've off & on searched around for one, but couldn't find one when I had adequate means to pick one up... One day...

[Tcoat]

I had a 74 GT in 80. Was only 6 years old had holes already rotted through the wheel wells, most of the back seat floor was missing, the steel belts were exposed in the tires and it burned so much oil that not a single mosquito could be found within a mile of it.
I still miss that car sometimes and would buy another in a heartbeat if I came across a nice one.

[NemesisPrime909]

If Toyota were to ever bring back the Celica name this or the fastback should be their no.1 influence

[malave7567]

My father still shows me pictures of his old 70s Celica's. The earliest I got to drive was a '83 GT-S with the 22R-E engine. Loved that car. Still wish I can find one just like my father had.

Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk

[Wraith]

I had one ... sold it back to the original owner after I resto it ... He then turns around sold it to the Toyota Museum in Torrance. She's in a good home now...