Minneapolis Street Sighting: Toyota Celica

It is widely known to my readers that the Toyota Celica and Supra remain as my favorite Toyota nameplate. right along with the MR2. Up until its 2000 redesign, the Celica has been known for its relatively light weight, RWD, sportcar configuration. While it did compete with such stellar sportscars as the Datsun and Nissan Z cars, and the Mazda RX7, Toyota's sportscar had an advantage that the Z-Cars and the RX7 couldn't offer; it came in multiple configurations. Besides the two-door notchback you see here, this generation of Celica was also available in a proper notchback form, and later, a convertible. After the 1986 redesign, the Celica went on to become primarily a front-wheel-drive sports coupe, with more emphasis on sporty styling than actual sporty characteristics. A lone exception to that is the All-Trac( and GT-Four as they were known outside of the US), which is an all-wheel-drive Celica that mated sexy-good-looks to an amazingly capable powertrain. Unfortunately, after 1993, no all-wheel-drive Celica was available on our shores.










Available with either a lousy four-speed automatic, or a decent five-speed manual, this '82'85 car marks the third generation for Toyota's much-loved nameplate. And much-loved this one clearly is. As with a vast majority of Japanese cars in this state, this gray example is exhibiting first-hand the rust problems that older Japanese cars face. Aside from extensive rust both surface and non, this classic Celica appears to be in good shape. No accident damage, and all of the badges are present, and in rather good condition.
Unlike most older Toyotas, this Celica has not suffered from any ricer mods, and is completely stock. That's good, because the add-on bodykit likely would've been it rust a bit faster, trapping road grime in the crevices. The wheels are stock, too, and honestly these are some of my favorite Toyota wheels--ever. Optional both on the Toyota van, and on the Celica, these are too '80s not to like. Granted, modern wheels would probably look better, but these wheels do the job just fine. I wouldn't change them.
The first step I can see in the saving of this Celica is obviously the rust repair. Since it has a decent chunk of surface, I'd do a complete restoration, including the chassis and structural support of this thing. Once that's done, I'd repaint this in a factory color, probably the original charcoal color here, and I'd brush the wheels. Not too shiny, but a bit moreseo than they look now. Lastly, I'd restore the rubstrips and dedicate this car to strictly a nice-weather cruiser. It's not fast, and it wasn't when new. I would make sure that this Celica is a nice car, and restore it to almost-concours condition. I know it's a sin almost, but I love these things, and would love to see one in great shape again.