The Celica is a sports car by Toyota released in 1971. This car, the name of which means "celestial", lasted for seven generations in total, up until 2006. Throughout that time, the Celica came with different engines and in various body types. These included a 2-door notchback coupé, a 2-door convertible, and a 3-door liftback, among others.
The Toyota Celica was produced in Japan, either at the Tsutsumi, Tahara, or Higashi-Fuji plant.
First Generation (1970-1977)
The general public had access to the first-generation Toyota Celica in December 1970. It was available in 3-door liftback and 2-door hardtop body types, with a front-engine rear-wheel-drive layout.
First-generation Celicas came with options of 1.4-, 1.6-, 1.9-, 2.0-, and 2.2-litre engines. On the lower-end, Celicas with the 1.4-litre engine had an output of 64 kW with 115 N⋅m of torque. On the other end of the spectrum, Celicas carrying the 2.2-litre engines had an output of 72 kW of power and 162 Nm of torque.
Transmission-wise, the first-generation Celica had options of 4- or 5-speed manual and a 3-speed automatic.
For markets outside of Japan, the Celica came with three trim levels: LT, ST, and GT. The LT’s standard equipment was more loaded than what the Japanese base model featured. The ST had impressive specifications and had the option of adding extras in the future. The GT, on the other hand, had the complete offering of extras among all three trims.
Second Generation (1977-1981)
The second-generation Toyota Celica was designed in the United States at Toyota's Calty Research Design studio by David Stollery. It came in either 2-door coupé or 3-door liftback body types, with a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout.
Generally, second-generation Toyota Celicas can be divided into two types—Series A and Series B. The main difference between the two series was aesthetics. The Series A Celica had chrome or black rubber bumpers and round headlights. The Series B came as a result of a facelift which gave the car square headlights, new taillights, and either chrome or polyurethane black bumpers.
The second-generation Toyota Celica only had a 2.2-litre engine with an output of 78 kW and 157 Nm of torque. However, it did have much better power, safety, and economy compared to the first generation.
Transmission-wise, the second generation had options of 3- or 4-speed automatic and 5-speed manual.
Third Generation (1981-1985)
With a whole new style and features like rack and pinion steering, the third-generation Celica came out in 1981. This time, the body types offered for this car were the 3-door liftback, 2-door coupé and later a 2-door convertible. The layout remained as front-engine, rear-wheel-drive setup.
Transmission-wise, the car had the option of either the 4-speed automatic or the 5-speed manual.
Towards the later years of this generation, the Celica received an update that included retractable headlights (a symbol of the '80s), a restyled grille and a new air dam. The Australian version included rear side vents, something that was very much in demand in other markets like North America.
Towards the end of the generation, the Australian version of the Celica carried an engine with an output of 78 kW and 185 Nm.
Fourth Generation (1985-1989)
By the fourth generation, the Toyota Celica went through some significant changes. Some of these were aesthetic, towards a more rounded and flowing body design. It was also the period when the Celica first appeared with a front-engine, front-wheel-drive layout.
Other than that, the transmission options available were the 4-speed automatic and 5-speed manual.
Generally, the body types available were the 3-door liftback, the 2-door coupé, and a 2-door convertible model.
In Australia specifically, the Celica came offered in coupé, liftback and convertible body types. The engines in Aussie versions of the Celica offered a few different outputs including a 94 kW (179 N⋅m torque) option and a 118 kW (186 N⋅m torque) option.
Fifth Generation (1989-1993)
The fifth-generation Celica was given a new "Super Round" styling, which was Toyota's signature. It made the cars much stronger without adding any additional weight. Other manufacturers caught up and replicated this styling by avoiding straight edges in their designs, which is proof enough of Toyota's influence and credibility in the industry.
For the Australian market, the fifth-generation Toyota Celica came in versions of the SX Coupé, SX Liftback, GT-Four, and also a limited edition GT-Four Group A Rallye (only 150 units). Overall, the models made for Australia were seen to be less luxurious compared to the ones in Japan and North America.
On the lower end, the Australian version of the Celica had an output of 97 kW and 196 Nm of torque. On the higher end of the spectrum, it had an output of 173 kW and 304 Nm of torque.
Transmission-wise, it came in options of 4-speed automatic and 5-speed manual.
Sixth Generation (1993-1999)
The sixth-generation saw another redesign for the Toyota Celica. This time around, the car came with four round headlights that made it look almost like the Toyota Soarer or the Supra.
The new generation did come with improved features like driver and passenger airbags and anti-lock brakes. A lot of them also included more environmentally-friendly CFC-free air conditioners.
For Australia, the body types made available were the coupé, the liftback, and the convertible. The Aussie market also saw the Celica come in trim levels of SX, SX-R, ZR, and GT which carried the 5S-FE engine (with an output of 101 kW and 203 Nm of torque). Also available to Australian buyers was the GT-Four version of the Celica with the 3S-GTE engine (with an output of 180 kW and 302 Nm of torque).
Seventh Generation (1999-2006)
The seventh and final generation of the Toyota Celica came as a lighter and more affordable car for buyers. It came available in only one body type: the 3-door liftback, and followed the same front-engine, front-wheel-drive layout as before.
This generation saw only two engine options: the first being the 1.8-litre engine with an output of 104 kW and 172 Nm torque. The other had an output of 143 kW but was only available in Europe and Japan.
The Australian version came available in trim levels of SX and ZR. The former had a CD player, electric windows/mirrors, and 15-inch alloy wheels. In contrast, the latter had standard ABS, aluminium pedals, side and front airbags and more.
Toyota stopped exporting the Celica in July of 2005. Part of the reason was due to declining sales of this car, though no successor has been announced.
Currently, many different versions of the Toyota Celica are still available in Australia on the second-hand market. If you’re interested in buying one or need parts for an old Celica that you already have, search from our website for secondhand cars or auto parts from sellers all over Australia. Or you may also send us a parts request message at hello@carpart.com.au!
- Rasyad 'Ray' Hasbollah