1977 Toyota Celica - My Stories

My name is Rob and I am the proud owner of a 1977 Toyota Celica.

This puts my Celica in the First Generation of the SWEET sports cars from Toyota.

Quick Celica History

The Celica was originally designed for motorists who love fun and style, and more than just a simple means of transportation.

The name is derived from the Latin word célico meaning "from the heavens" or "celestial".

The first generation Celica was released in 1970 at the 1970 Tokyo Motor Show in October. It was a "cut-down" version of Toyota’s supercar, the 2000GT, so it was a relatively affordable sports car.

Its styling was quite revolutionary for the day. The Celica was Toyota’s version of the successful Ford Mustang.
The very first issuing of the Celica was the LT and ST. The lower-end LT was equipped with a 2T carburated four-cylinder engine displacing 1600 cc, while the ST came with a twin Solex-carburetor 2T-B engine.
The Celica did well from the day it hit the Toyota showroom floors. The first major change took place in 1974 with the addition of the GT model. The 2T-G (115 HP) that powered this new high-end GT model was a DOHC twin-Solex carburetor 1600 cc engine.
The GT model had many upgrades including underbody spoilers, tinted windows, hood flutes, power windows, air conditioning, "GT" emblem front grill. It shared thea full-length center console and oil pressure/ammeter gauges with the ST rather than the LT’s warning lights.
The GTV version also had the 2T-G engine, with a slightly cut-down interior, and did not come with things like power windows, but they were optional. The GTV has firmer suspension.
In 1974, 1976 and 1977 Celica wins Motor Trend "Import Car of the Year."
In 1976, the Celica line grew with the addition of the liftback (LB) model, available only in GT trim. The liftback was introduced for Japanese market in April 1973, but not until 1976 for North America.
The GT package included the larger engine (20R), offered sportier handling and a higher-grade trim. This model was marketed as a sport-touring type automobile, offering greater comfort and luggage capacity than the standard models.

The very first Celica for North America was the 1971 ST that was powered by 1.9 liter 8R engine. The 1972, 1973 and 1974 models have 2.0 liter 18R engine. For 1975, 1976 and 1977, engine for the North American Celica is 2.2 liter 20R.
The Celica GT and LT models were introduced in the U.S. for the 1974 model year.
The top-line GT included a 5-speed manual transmission, rocker panel GT stripes, and styled steel wheels with chrome trim rings.
The LT was marketed as an economy model. Mid-1974 saw minor changes in the Celica’s trim and badges.
In June 1977, the Toyota Celica reached one million models produced.