I'm bored. Here's a heritage thread.
In 1965, Toyota Produced their First sports car, the Sports 800.
Weighing a mere 1,200 pounds, this cute little thing had 45HP, 45 miles to the Gallon, and a top speed near 100mph. It was a very popular sports car at the time, and nearly 3,200 models were built and sold. Less than 10% of them are alive today.
In the efforts to build a faster, better looking model to keep up with booming automotive technology and speed, Toyota went into planning one of the, if not the best, classic Japanese sports cars to date. The 2000GT.
The 2000GT, in my opinion, is one of the best looking cars on this Earth. As a high ranked collectors item, this car sells close to $400k USD. Produced from 1967-1970 it set many records on the track and on the street, the car became a rare sensation. The Aston Martin 1.77's of the day. Fittingly so, it was also used in James Bond movies.
Known as the first Japanese supercar, it featured a 2.0l straight 6, producing 150hp, with a top speed of 135.
Later models included appearance changes, yet the purpose of the car remained the same: however, the 2000GT was never meant to be a production car. Merely a concept car for sale. Because of this, Toyota made very little profit off of the 300-so models produced.
The solution to this, was the Toyota Celica.
Starting production in 1970, the Celica was a cheap, fast, sports car. The first Gen ended production in 1977. Powered by a 2.0l 2000cc motor, it was more than enough for a lightweight sports car. Sometimes called "The Mustang of Japan", the car took popularity quickly. In 1978, the Celica was a big part of 2 of the most successful cars to ever come from Toyota. The lovingly simple Toyota Camry, and the monster we know today, the Toyota Supra.
The 2nd gen Celica featured a 2.6L 110hp inline 6. The 2nd Gen Celica also was the first Celica to take to the dirt as a Rally Fit sports car. Also the first Toyota to use electronic fuel injection.
As of 1978, along with the Celica was the Celica XX, or better known, as the Toyota Celica Supra.
The Celica XX was the highest trim level, and became popular as a monster of the road.
As for the Camry, it was born as the Celica Camry, in 1980.
The 3rd Gen Celica, starting in 1981, featured the largest engine a Celica has ever seen, a 2.6L 4cyclinder 170hp engine. This Generation was the first to feature the GT-S. While following with performance in mind, the Celica had many types of trims through all generations. This one featured the GT, LS, GT-S, GT-Turbo, GT-R, and GT-RTurbo. Nearly no changes occurred to the 3rd Gen model through the ages.
The 4th Gen was the first of the Celica's to have front wheel drive. It was also the Gen to spawn one of the most famous Celica's, the Toyota Celica GT-FOUR. The GT-FOUR was renowned for it's performance in rally racing and as an AWD Turbo, street machine. Featuring a 2.0l 190hp motor, it was truly a formidable car for the price. Continuing the Celica legacy, staying true to the original motivations.
It was also the last Gen where the Celica and Supra shared a name.
The 5th Gen started in 1990. Carrying on the GT-FOUR, it was buffed up with a twin turbo AWD 220hp motor. For the standard model, like all the ones before it, changed looks completely. Featuring a few trim models, including the GT, GT-S, and the GT-Four (All track). This model took the Celica more fiercely into rally competition, as it saw more wins, and gained more respect, as the GT-FOUR All Track started making a name for itself.
The 6th Gen Celica, still many on the road today, was the last model to see the GT-Four. This last model GT-FOUR was again an all wheel drive rally based car, producing 250hp. This Celica saw more wins than the previous. This Gen produced the GT, GT-S, ST, and GT-FOUR. The last ST's and GT-FOUR's to ever see the streets. Not much more change to this model. The 6th Gen received a new look aswell, though, similar to the 5th noticeably.
The 7th Generation Celica was the last Celica ever produced. Lasting in America 2000 through 2004, Japan 2000 through 2006, and Australia and Europe 2000 through 2005. The GT featuring a 140hp, 4cylinder Engine, and the GT-S, same, cept 180hp. The GT featured a VVT-i motor, while the GT-S had a VVTL-i. The GT-S revved considerably high, not red lining until 8,600RPM, making it very quick. This Celica was aimed at younger buyers. As with previous Celica's, the look was changed entirely. Throughout it's sales, the Celica went through small modifications. The GT and GT-S featured a trim option through TRD, which included a suspension and brake upgrade, new front and rear bumper, and a larger spoiler.
At this point, the Celica had been alive for 35 years.
Sadly this was the last sports car Toyota was to produce as of yet. However, much speculation is set on the new line of Toyota Sports Cars. The FT-HS. Not certain to be in production, this car is certainly the man-child of the Celica legacy.
We can only hope and wait to see Toyota get back on what made it. A true, good, reliable, production. With reliable, cheap, fast, and great looking sports cars.
This has made me sad. Toyota has really let me down getting off the Sports car area. Yes, there are the cars such as the Scion Tc, but that's not a sports car. Not reeeeeeally. As far as Lexus goes, the LF-A, IS-F, and others, may carry on the legacy. But it wont reeeeeally keep true to Toyota.
These are sad days.
