1972 Toyota Celica Barn Find - Parked for 20 years!

Driving this Celica in the canyons: • Canyon Drive 18RG Dual...
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About Papadakis Racing
The Papadakis Racing team began drifting in 2004 and is the most winning team in Formula Drift history, earning the 2021, 2022 and 2015 championship titles with driver Fredric Aasbo, as well as back-to-back championships with driver Tanner Foust in 2007 and 2008.
This season, Fredric Aasbo returns to defend his title in the Rockstar Energy Toyota GR Supra, while Ryan Tuerck also returns to the team to drive the Toyota Corolla hatchback.
Team owner Stephan Papadakis is a legend of sport-compact racing who began building his reputation in the 1990s with the first front­-wheel­ drive, tube-­chassis drag car in the U.S. The team earned multiple records and championships in the discipline, turning in elapsed times and trap speeds previously thought unattainable in front­-drive drag cars. Papadakis' successes in front­-wheel drive were matched by his efforts in rear-­wheel drive when he campaigned just the fifth car to join the NHRA's Sport Compact 200 MPH club.

[@fauzanramadhan6818]

where have u been

[@vvevvevvvv]

You can see that from the video.

[@brocktorning1890]

Working on his celica

[@bmxkelowna]

Winning a championship

[@1IRoyle]

@@brocktorning1890 exactly. Driving his vintage hot rod supra...

[@tariqziyad1338]

Tell me you miss him without telling me you miss him vibe here.

[@seeingthelight3608]

Still a good looking car after 50 years and I love pillarless doors. As for other generations of Celica, I love the GT4s (gen 5 & 6) and gen 7 (GT in US and T Sport in UK). All these cars have aged well (design-wise).

[@cheapcharlie7]

Anyone recall the model codes referred above? ST205! Etc

[@cammymillard7385]

@@cheapcharlie7 not sure on the early ones, 4th gen is st162 and 165, 5th st182 and 185, 6th st202 and 205. Along with some other models eg gt and sr for the 6th gen. The models with 5 are the gt4 models

[@april7_DDG]

As of proud owner of year 1990 ST182 3S-GE and 2000 ZZT230 1ZZ-FE good old wikipedia is a good source en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Celica

[@jimmyjames6267]

Hard Top, not pillarless doors! 🙄

[@w4lsh]

@@jimmyjames6267 Er no, they are known as pillarless doors because there is no pillar...

[@thomasphilyaw8593]

You know your old when you know everything/more about a 70's car someone is just discovering. Brought back so many memories watching this video. What a find!!!

[@revilolanza1874]

This car takes me back to my childhood in the late 70s. It's worth restoring, its a classic.👍

[@tacticalcenter8658]

What a find and restoration! Want to see more of this one if possible.

[@79tazman]

here is a link to a 72 Celica being Chem Dipped kzbin.info/www/bejne/o5TGdqeJl9SBo8U

[@lukemarzola1111]

A great looking car of the 70's, known for their strong 5 speed gearbox. And the GTV 2lt twin cam 3valves/cylinder (Yamaha) racing developed head was sweet. I drove the '76 Celica for 10 years before rust started getting out of hand. What I realized is most of the Celicas rusted because it does not have a watertight window seal (it has brushes), and that water ends up sitting at the bottom of the doors, etc. Mine which I started restoring (then the landlord sold the house and I put it in storage) has the 18RGU motor (2litre). Only 200 of those motors where imported into Australia, so fairly rare, as many put turbos on them and blew them up with a stock lower end. But I was amazed at the revs I tuned into it, and the torque I was getting, but found the head gasket had a mismatch with one of the oil holes. Mine has two dual-throat Solex carbies that worked 'perfectly', and extractors. The last model before catalytic convertors where made mandatory in AUS, with a sports exhaust, lowered springs, momo style steering wheel. My in dash clock started working properly again after 4 years of ownership when I went for a longer drive to the snow. The head cam chain in 10 years of driving never had to be adjusted at all (ie. strong/durable), and the gearbox had no wear at all. The diff started to have play in it, and was told it could be shimmed by a specialist. The rubber window strips with chrome bits where still manufactured/purchasable in Australia through Clarke Rubber stores. And there was someone still making the plastic blinker lenses and door handles I think in Singapore a few years back. Oh, and it is period correct to put an upgraded radio/stereo and speakers in them. Cheers all ! [Admin of: 'Classic and Used Cars Supporters Group' (on facebook)]

[@craigsawyer6453]

Great memories... I learned to drive a stick in a 1975 Celica GT. I loved the synchromesh five speed. The factory suspension made for some exciting moments when going over a slight crest and corner. The Celica would swap ends under the right conditions but even with the low ponies could drift like a dream. I was waiting to restore that old Celica, original paint, no rust, garaged all its life, when my dad sold the car for $200. dollars. He wonders why our relationship is strained.

[@BrownRoze]

I'm shocked you even speak to him after that!!

[@jasonglowatch360]

Ya get that . I use to buy these cars for a 100 bucks all over the place . Back in the early 90s the most I ever paid for 1 was 300 dollars.

[@N0ENEMIES]

One of the handful of classic cars I've always wanted. Sounds amazing too

[@benaresq]

The 18RG is high on my list for the best sounding motors of all time. They just have the perfect twin cam, side draft snarl.

[@Volksoner619]

That’s dope. My first car (back in 91) was a 76 celica gt hatch back I got for $125. All it needed was a fuel pump. I fixed it in the guys driveway and drove it home. Man I loved that car. I’d love to get another one but they’re so expensive now for a project.

[@GunsmithSid]

Beautiful find and I really like your enthusiasm for the build! I had a ‘73 as my first car 40 years ago - a family hand-me-down - and I loved it ❤️. The gauges don’t look upgraded, they were exactly the same on my car, and you twist the wiper control clockwise to spray the fluid. I had a Cibie quad setup for headlights on mine too - nice!

[@davej6222]

Neat car, thanks for posting. I have a ‘72 TE27 with a pile of oldschool TRD parts from when it was 2tg swapped in 1990, so nice to see another Toyota of the same era.

[@MrSoremuscles]

Wow that last 5 seconds! What a tease! Can you do a driving review of the car? So we can hear more of it?

[@CLANCY759]

I've got an '83 Celica Supra and seeing the ingenuity persisted from this era well through to my model is awesome. The seat belt and frameless windows are so cool. Glad you saved this beauty.

[@JoshPhoenix11]

I love the TA22, I used to have a 72 as well. I always wanted the 2 liter twin cam in it, looks good with the twin side draughts. They're so fun to drive. I love the coupe pillarless look with the windows down. In Australia all the manuals were 5 speeds with a short shifter, its heaps nicer to drive with the cut down stick.

[@neonreign2988]

Wow, what a sick find and awesome restoration! I really like the design of this generation of Celica (as well as the GT Four ST205), and the specs are pretty impressive for a 2 liter engine back in the 70s! I love Toyota.

[@prodigaltuning]

Congrats and welcome to the 1st gen Celica family. I saw Joji helped you acquired this gem. Can't wait to see updates and upgrades on this car. Speed Academy, Sarah n Tuned, and now you with 1st gens.

[@nomadben]

Freaking awesome car, man! I loved watching this video. Definitely wouldn't mind seeing more footage on it.

[@yukisdrift]

Beautiful car thank you for sharing! I love seeing the classics.

[@terryjacob8169]

I worked for Toyota GB when the TA22 Celica was current - the 1,600 GT, twin-cam was my favourite . A quick car, fun to drive, with well-sorted suspension, it's rear axle well-located by tubular upper/lower trailing arms, a panhard rod and coil springs.

[@OreoCookieMonster]

I want to restore a 77 fastback to make it look like the one my dad used to own. This video is too cool - we need more of this!

[@marvinmurakami8828]

The 77 lift back was the best looking Celica ever made. I believe that's also the year they went from 13 to 14 inch wheels.

[@johngerson7335]

Beautiful car, very nicely "sporterized". Used to drive it's rotary-counterpart, the Mazda Rx-3, which most certainly was based on Toyo's Celica model design-wise. Hat's off to you man!

[@casefc3s]

Love this project! Probably my favorite 70's JDM muscle.

[@michaelhypefelix]

Ahhhh my favorite generation of celica me and my family have 8 of these 2 coupes 4 liftbacks and 2 parts cars it's definitely a family affair happy to see you restoring this one its awesome!

[@gehringer37]

That is an awesome find!!! Love the look of the car!!! Please keep us updated on it!

[@nateprior8837]

Ahhh seeing the back windows roll down reminded me of when I had mine… my favorite feature. ❤

[@LrCast01]

Congratulations on your awesome barn find! I used to have a 1973 Celica and I imported the 18RG engine from Japan with four of my friends. We each had Celicas ranging from 1970 to 1973 all with 18RGs. Those were great times back then when the 18RG was a rare find and I miss the fun we had tuning our cars and racing each other. Due to marriage and two young kids I ended selling my car to my best man who still has it to this day. He’s babied it for 30 years only driving it on special occasions. The local Toyota dealer offered him 35k for his Celica, but he said he will never part with it. I hope to see more update videos on your 1970 Celica, and see what updates and improvements you make on it.

[@senanfoutchedjev2401]

Dude, that is Great that you have done this. Excellent. Explanation was fantastic, covered all. Thanks.

[@Mr4x4toyidaho]

My family is the original owner of a 1971 toyota celica. All the dash is oem. Such a beautiful car you found. Please make it great as you modify. Love your content.

[@z32akm70]

I'm planning in following all your progress with this great find. You won't disappoint people.

[@EggWafflehea]

The wait is tough man wish he upload more often.

[@arturoortiz8372]

I really enjoy to watch videos of real classic car enthusiasts... Awesome job !!! congrats 👍

[@brianchong4134]

So proper with the 18RG. The music that comes from it could lull me to sleep. Great work bringing it into the sunlight again.

[@jimpatterson7954]

I had a Celica as my first car and when i showed my dad he pushed the bonnet down and broke that hood lever immediately. I was like "haha don't worry bout it "(crying inside)

[@gav240z]

I love it, the TA22 is my favorite look out of the early RA23 and RA28s. This has just the right amount of patina and I love the fact you're keeping it somewhat period correct. I've got a 71 240z that is very stock and I am reluctant to modify it with flares etc. but it's similar patina / paint and minor rust to this car. As you say very usable with less stress driving it around and enjoying it.

[@4xhoser]

Very cool! Thanks for sharing and stoked to see more! Need to see that Rav4 go explore 🤘🇨🇦

[@LastHumansGarage]

brings me back to my 77 GT... thanks for the memories. my 77 had TRD springs. (for a 78 and required customization), Tokiko shocks, TRD cam, and Weber 32/36 downdraft. mine had the 20R.

[@melvinargueta1633]

I absolutely love how those celicas look! I want to find one, or a late 70's Corolla SR5 coupe

[@danielquilesjr.3461]

Hits me right in the feels. My dad had a GT of the same year when i was a kid. He sold it to my uncle and he had it re done but sold it before I could buy it when I was of age.

[@lachlansmith623]

My dad had an RA23 LT that he had from new. I drove it for a while, but he ended up selling it. I wish I knew where it was now

[@scottcollins2692]

I had many of these. I am feeling very nostalgic. Thanks.

[@CarterHancock]

My dad and I are just about finished on a '76 Celica GT Coupe restoration (which sat for about 22 years) so it's great to see others restoring these nearly-forgotten beauties. Heck, if it weren't for these, we wouldn't have the Supra!

[@ryanbuck7258]

It’s cool to see you acquire one of these timeless gems. I can’t wait to see more footage on this. Hope you have fun!

[@itsaboutfam]

What a save....love seeing older cars up and running. That Celica is beautiful.

[@browndog9402]

Congrats on finding it and gonna drive it after all that time sitting, wish i still had mine, bought it for 300 bucks, 40 bucks in bondo in it, rain gutters for the rocker panels, 100 dollar paint job, but it got me to school and back and rallyed the dirt roads real good. Good times

[@lucaseaston]

I fitted a diff from an AE86 GT in mine, the diff mounts need to be moved a bit, but it was a good option for a light weight LSD with disk brakes. It also worked well with custom hand brake cables giving it a factory feel.

[@derekmthompson6824]

That's awesome. I have the 76 lift back and I'm planning on going with the Ford 8.8 out of an explorer with a 4 link 😅

[@baska-]

*Amazing find! Repairing old cars is one of the most expensive and fun hobbies out there. Imagine finding an old abandoned GT-R in the US? That's probably rare. Keep it up brother, love the videos*

[@KingCast65]

My sister had a regular '76 fastback. A buddy of mine has one of these with that engine in it. Thanks for sharing!

[@berky1976]

I'm really falling in love with this 1st gen Celica body style. I've always like small cars with good power and I like big cars with enough power to cruise. Taking a corner in a small nimble car is a ton of fun. But cruising in a land yacht is just as fun for me. Great find and it looks like you are having loads of fun figuring out how you want the car to be. Good luck with the continued progress!

[@davidarthur6205]

excellent car!! ive got a couple of those, had them for 22 years now. when i bought mine they were cheap and there was still a few of them around to choose from. not like that now.

[@2jzhx60]

Would be interested to see a dyno tuning of this with changing the jets etc

[@kovacspis]

Steph! Please, bless us with more video content on anything you and your guys do! Rav4, Celica, Supra, anything!

[@malcolmbindon5911]

Back in 1983 my first car was a 1975 Celica with factory fitted GT interior ,it had the same front ,rear spoiler and hood vents thats on your car and spoked alloy wheels. I bought it from my brother in-law who bought it new ,he was a diesel mechanic and fitted a Triple K turbo suck through SU carburettor with water injection ,no intercoolers back then . Your vid brought back memory’s 👍😎🇦🇺

[@swealer]

Hey Steph, if you still need tires, just hit me up and i get whatever you want😉. Here in germany it's no problem to get wide 13",14" or 15" tires with a bunch of different thread patterns. Just comment the size you'd like and i take a look🙂

[@chrisp4899]

That's a great looking car keep us updated on the build 👍

[@chrismoody1342]

I happen to love this little car. My best friend had one new in high school. It was definitely a fun car to drive and be seen in.

[@jeanfresco5667]

Excellent little car! I saw one of these up on a hoist at a shop in 2011. They were kind of shocked that I knew what it was. People were asking if it was a Mustang! Agree that the engine is better than the stereo. Looking forward to future videos.

[@vandyFixer]

I bet the family will be pleased to see the car back on the road. It would be great to see their reaction if you can take the car to show them.

[@BPBomber]

Japanese pony car

[@jeffbair9069]

Back in the mid 80's I worked at a car dealership in Miami as a detailer. They had obtained a 1975 Toyota Celica that I absolutely fell in love with. It was a Long Beach Gran Prix Pace car. It looked almost exactly like the car in your video. It was white in color with the fender flares and the front and rear spoilers. It still had the original decals from the race on the doors. It even had the same rims that you have on your car. It was lowered with Pirelli P6's on it. It was an absolute blast to drive!!! It had a Ferrari type exhaust system on it and sounded great!! I tried in vain to buy it from the dealer. He purchased it and put it in his private collection. I managed to buy one a few years later, a 1976 GT, but I blew the engine and didn't have the money to repair it. So I sold it to a friend who rebuilt it and still drives it to this day. Celicas always hold a place in my heart!!!

[@franciscolopez3229]

Wow man, just wow! I just love how the way those old rear wheel drive car sounds compared to modern front wheel drives like them Honda Civics or MR2's, more so when you get them headers installed. I don't know, maybe it's only me, but it's just different how the way they roar. Hope to see another video of this car and thanks for sharing.

[@crazymasina8524]

Congrats on the purchase. I've been back and forth looking at that generation Celica but it's hard to add another project to the stable.

[@AliasHSW]

Love those. My favorite year. Had a friend in the late 80’s as his first car. I was so jealous. My first car was a 77 Corolla.

[@HectorRodriguez-id4ml]

So many of these in my neighborhood as a kid! I have always wanted one. Nice work!

[@tomsloger4073]

Thamks for the video.! This brings back some fond memories of my 72 Celica. Mine was a powder blue ST with black interior. Loved the car,and was a lot of fun to drive !

[@andresgrisales5108]

Hello! beautiful car! mine is a 1974 TA22, I left the original AM radio, it looks great at night with lights on, on glove box I installed a AM - FM modern radio. Great rims! Enjoy that gem!

[@sharkamov]

*Now -**_THIS_** is **_my_** definition of a coupe! . . .* What classic designs Toyota put out in these Celicas!!! . . . ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐🤙 💓🙏

[@SanjayPatel-mx2yk]

NICE! I HAVE A 1983 CELICA GT collecting dust in my moms garage! Watching this video makes me want to restore it! GOOD JOB 👍

[@Jon_98]

Stayed all the way thru the vid just for that little pull at the end. Worth it. Also, please make more rav4 content i miss seeing yours

[@CrzyMav]

What an awesome find! That’s a cool looking Celica and love the stance…you found a great car.

[@manolvalchev]

Stephan, I do enjoy all your videos! 17 mins seem like 1.7 mins to me when I start watching it. Keep doing it :)

[@RemyBonnici]

Ra and Ta Celica's will always be some of the best looking cars ever made to me. Well done ... I'm jealous!

[@hungryalien]

hope to see more of this celica! dont let us wait another 5 months for the next update :))

[@gerrytaylor5137]

My first new car was a 1972 Turquoise ST (5 speed). Bought it brand new from a “non branded” Toyota dealer in Quesnel, B.C. Canada. Paid $3200 and change! This video brought back some great forgotten memories like the seat belt buckle holder and the gas filler fold down panel! Wish beyond wish I still had it! It started my journey as a lifetime Toyota/Lexus owner and driver!

[@Saul1337Ftw]

I've been watching Joel Laurino's rebuild of his 72 Toyota Carolla, and this Celica is also super nice. Quickly falling in love with the look of these cars!

[@kaikit1]

Great find. I have had my 73 Celica ST for 15 years and I have been slowly restoring it. Almost done though .. just interior left.

[@frenchroast9536]

What an awesome find. Would love to see and hear some street and canyon driving videos. Mini-lites on 70's/80's datsuns and toyotas are the chef's kiss.

[@joelm3954]

Those beautiful lines. Timeless.

[@stevenbacon-cheddar9914]

That car is all kind of cool! You guys did a lot to make it nice without taking away from it. I love a lot of the classic Toyota cars, just don’t have the time or money to go all in on one yet. Glad you kept its soul intact.

[@autojohn-pu1vf]

I loved myne it was a 75 7upcan green w white vinal roof and a 22R/5spd, also had a "hang around brown" 75 w a 20R/4spd, it wasn't too shaggy either

[@mototaco2132]

My dad had one of these... bringing back lots of memories. I can't believe all 3 kids fit in the back, we were 7, 10, 13 yrs old.

[@100catfishing7]

Nice! A 74' GT was the first car I actually bought in 1975 after the 72' Corolla I was given in high school crapped out. I loved this car! Rolled and totaled it😭😭 then got a 73' ST. These were great cars. More on this one please.

[@dt76sf]

Wow! Nice. I had a 75 GT. 5 speed. Just added beefy sway bars, low flow muffler and Vredestein tires. Handled like a dream. Miss that car.

[@paweszczepanski6738]

What a car. Best car videos, Steph. Really looking forward to them. Handbrake regulation possibly facilitates different ambient temperatures which impacts mechanical element tensions due to thermal expansion. Clock could be mechanically wound. So it would get wound up upon powering up the car.

[@BIG_DRU]

1975 Celica with a 20R was my first car when i was young couldn’t kill that engine but it was a beast…..this video brings back memories…..

[@MikeF055]

I had a 1974 version of that car-my first car. Mine had a four speed transmission, but all the gauges that you reference there as aftermarket (jdm) were the exact same as what I was seeing. I had taken off my front door panels and recovered them in vinyl that I got from kmart, since the original material was falling apart. The back seat panels were ok though. They did move the clock in 1974 with an extension of the center console. It was on the right side on the bottom with that fake wood trim on the left. Fun car back then, I can't imagine what trouble I would have gotten in with twice the horsepower, as my car still drove an indicated 125 mph (a friend told me it went that fast).

[@turbora40]

Love these cars. Keen to see more updates.

[@dcwebb1]

Terrific Celica!, would love more content on this beauty.

[@T12i99iN]

Damn, that was a treasure find!! That sound of the carb + intake horns is lovely,

[@lukeya1983]

Love this car My mate had one years ago. Big fan of this shape.

[@johnstephens6809]

Love those. I had one before,an ST..

[@seannedelko3497]

Dude got lucky you got that engine with it. Awesome ride. Totally jelly

[@glennschiffer1742]

I had a 1973 ST with the 18rc rated at 108hp and was not very fast but that engine looks really awesome

[@bobbyrios2k223]

Wow, this car is awesome, glad you got it and restoring this gem

[@darrinfraser]

I miss my 72 Celica. First car I ever owned and made lots of amazing memories in that car. I am a little envious ... Super awesome car! Have fin with it.

[@dougshaw2944]

Love love love that Celica. And had a real, honest laugh when you mentioned the hood vents (b/c they're an obvious copy of an American style, fake hood vent). Congrats on the new-to-you 'Yota.

[@cpkay33]

I love the look of these. Amazing.

[@mikeholbrook5084]

My first new car was a 1971 Celica with 1.9 4 cylinder engine in a light green. Man that was a great looking car as is your 72. Basically no difference between the two years. 73 had the gas filler on the C pillar. I destroyed the 71 in Hawaii. What a bummer. Great to see you enjoying this old girl.

[@HebuTheLoneWolf]

the analog switches sound so satisfying :D also working on old cars is so much fun. room for days and everything is so simple and easy to work on. new cars is spaghetti hell the second u remove the dash and electric gremlins are pure pain to figure out and fix

[@MrPropanePete]

I worked on these cars when they first came out in 1972 or 1973', forget which year. They were revolutionary, very light, quick, reliable and easy to work on.

[@nathanchildress5596]

Damn, 1st gen Celicas are the new hotness. Speed Academy, Sarah n Tuned, and Papadakis all building these at the same time. Are there any weirdos like me that like the dorky 2nd gens?

[@andresdelgado3566]

I am currently restoring a 1981 gt liftback celica

[@terrancetyrell6797]

Rad car! Keep it real! Totally diggin the Wantanabes and carb setup! 👍🏻👍🏻

[@daveferranda9379]

Love to see an episode on details of the suspension mods, like the shock tower reinforcement 👀

[@lb9770]

Smiley Celica is one of my favorites! Congratulations on the find. I will own one in the very near future.