29/04/2026
“Celica,” derived from the Latin word Coelica, meaning celestial or heavenly.
Originally unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show in October of 1970, the model was aimed at the North American market, largely in response to the Ford Mustang (Pony Car segment). The influence is easy to spot in the initial models, particularly with the RA28 liftback, which arrived in Australia in 1977. The first model was ahead of its time, being the first Toyota that utilized robots during its assembly.
Spanning seven generations, Toyota’s four-cylinder sports car was quite successful in various forms until its demise in 2006. There were highlights throughout, including the success in Group A rally. This saw the introduction of the GT-Four edition, which was a homologation special as per the regulations. This spanned three generations and along with the first gen cars, are highly desirable today.
The TA22 Celica featured here is the result of a two-year restoration, with much of the work completed by the owners in their shed at home. Built in April of 1972, it is what’s known as the earlier “flat light” variation. Largely in its factory form, there have been some subtle changes and modifications made. The most obvious are the cosmetic, such as the Rota “Shakotan” wheels, front spoiler, LED Halo headlights, and “Snapper Rocks Blue” (BMW) paintwork.
Our objective on this occasion was to give the mildly worked 2T engine a retune. With any newly running vehicle, some adjustments and finesse can be required. Mark spent some time working through the fuel and ignition system before making the necessary adjustments. We also gave the car a bit of an inspection, with only minor items found that needed looking into.
Overall, the re-tune greatly improved the car’s manners, response and smoothness, with the road test being a very enjoyable experience. It is a credit to the owners and everyone involved in the project. Shortly after its visit, the Celica passed its inspection on its first attempt and is now registered. It was then treated to an extensive detail by Glossworks, which we will post a link to in the comments section.
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