What Made The 1971 Toyota Celica So Particular?

The early Seventies had been a transitional interval for the American automotive market. The muscle automobile was nonetheless in its heyday, though fashions like the legendary Pontiac GTO, which debuted in 1964, and the equally spectacular Pontiac Firebird from 1967 had been beginning to present their age. The Clear Air Act of 1970 introduced new emissions requirements to the auto trade, and stateside patrons began to dedicate extra of their consideration and {dollars} to cheap, fuel-efficient imports from Japan.

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In 1971, Toyota introduced the Celica to america in ST trim, which sat on the center of the 5 choices in Japan. The Celica ST was launched mid-year with a 1.9-liter 8R inline four-cylinder engine. Toyota bought 17,000 Celicas in that partial first 12 months, and by 1972, the corporate had bumped Volkswagen from the No.1 spot amongst U.S. import automobile manufacturers. Toyota’s promotional literature unabashedly marketed the Celica as a pony automobile, aiming it at in style American fashions just like the Firebird and Ford Mustang, and it was reasonably priced at $2,698 (equal to simply beneath $21,000 right now). That in contrast favorably to the 1971 Mustang, which began at $2,911 for the hardtop coupe and $2,973 for the fastback.

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The 1971 Celica was Toyota’s first automobile designed with styling taking a precedence over sensible considerations. It shared a platform with the Carina, which was solely bought within the U.S. in 1972 and 1973. The engine was the identical because the one used within the Mark II and the Corona, though the Celica’s had an up to date camshaft that boosted output to 108 horsepower. The suspension at each ends was state-of the artwork, with a four-link coil spring setup in again and MacPherson struts and an anti-roll bar in entrance.

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The Celica’s engine was upgraded to a 2.0-liter 4 in 1972, and the next 12 months, a three-speed computerized transmission was added as an choice. The GT model appeared in 1974, with a five-speed handbook transmission, wider wheels, and a lowered suspension. Among the many later generations, the 1984 Celica GT-S stands out because the model’s first-ever factory-made convertible. 

1971 Celicas are exceptionally arduous to seek out today. Traditional.com reveals none at the moment obtainable on the market and lists simply two bought previously 5 years. One in powder blue bought in 2021 for $14,000, and one other in pink went the 12 months earlier than for $27,000.