A Japanese Muscle Car ..ish // 1974 Toyota Celica ST Review

[@archiepezek]

The 70's Celicas were current when I was a teenager (yes I'm old) and I absolutely loved them. It's cool to see one in this day and age.

[@edwil111]

The 1977 Celica liftback banged!

[@gertraba9806]

We sold astro mags to local Toyo dealer with a 1knmarkup on their end

[@FrankD71864]

I was 10.

[@donsmith8614]

Hey Archie we're probably around the same age, i liked them back in the day & i still like the body style now!

[@archiepezek]

@@donsmith8614 Yes, they still look awesome.

[@garyziegler7710]

I had a ‘73 Celica ST, purchased new and to this day it’s still my favorite car I’ve ever owned.

[@mcssx2312]

I am Japanese I bought this car second hand right out of high school. It was my first car. It was 1974. The car is from 1970 My car was a 1600cc, SOHC car with no power, but it was very tough. I'm so glad Sarah found this car. I respect your love of cars and always look forward to it. thank you.

[@MexicoAdventurer]

My 1974 Toyota Celica GT was my 2nd car that I'd ever purchased. It was probably my favorite out of all 36 cars and trucks I've owned in my life.

[@quantumpeep866]

I had a '77 GT, the most fun of all my cars

[@craigbigbee6395]

NOW you know how Toyota became so beloved here.

[@akaydogan]

The best thing about this review is the sheer joy you experienced putting it together. Love your work. Thank you !!

[@mrwest5552]

@Ahmet Aydogan - agreed. You saw the same Awesome video from Sarah i saw.

[@mrwest5552]

@Ahmet Aydogan - agreed. You saw the same Awesome video from Sarah i saw.

[@greggo7978]

Whoever gave you that yellow hand pointed finger that you use is a genius. Incorporating it into your videos along with your perfectly genuine personality creates a result that I find very enjoyable. Bless you pretty lady.

[@olivercardwell5599]

You actually brought tears to my eyes! I used to have a car just like that when I was 18. Then my father bought me a 1974 celica GT at auction. I’d still have that car if it hadn’t got T boned. I haven’t seen any of those cars in over twenty years. I loved those cars. Watching your video brought it all back. It’s an awesome car. I had a header on mine and a Webber two barrel carburetor. I use to piss people off racing them light to light. Your ST is in Remarkable shape. I’m jealous!! Lol!

[@jeffreyquinn3820]

I had a '71 Corolla with (I think) a 1.6L engine & 5-speed transmission that got t-boned by a '76 navy blue LTD running with no lights. Those early seventies Toyotas were what American car snobs called "zippy". That meant they outperformed American V8s up to 70kph with the 4-speed & 90kph with the 5-speed.

[@olivercardwell5599]

@@jeffreyquinn3820 those were cool cars as well. I also had a Toyota Corolla Mrk II before the celica. Your absolutely correct about those 70’s Toyota’s

[@UCanDoIt2Mike]

I also had a 74 Celica GT emerald green with the same white vinyl half top that I drive in High School and College. Wish I still had that car. I want this one!

[@olivercardwell5599]

@@UCanDoIt2Mike I actually found myself wishing I had one again. I kept myself from coveting Sarah’s. Lol!

[@rrs_13]

@@jeffreyquinn3820 I mean, 115hp from a 1.6L engine of a light car in the early 70's is nothing to joke about! I mean, even until the 80/90's, getting 115hp on an NA 1.6L engine was respectable. And yes, I'm disregarding any engine that's not the 2T-G (and 2T-B) because they weren't worth having.

[@oldpartsnrust]

CHIRPED 3RD. GEAR!!!! "Click, Add to Cart!". I actually had a 1974 in Black, and a 1977 GT Hatchback, the Mustang copy (also a bunch of 80s Celicas that I bought with bad motors to fix and sell). It was really fun. I wired a paperclip between the primary and secondary on the carb to dump more gas in (double pumper???) and I could actually tell when the paperclip broke because of the 'lack of power' LOL (It was the 'big paperclip', not a normal one)... I used to work for a Toyota dealer because I loved the cars and I got to drive customers' Supras AND I got to drive a 'Celica All-Track Turbo' that I did a State Inspection on in December so I got to see the All-Track actually work! It is great to see someone who takes the time to show the actual work being done instead of 'full restomod in 10 minutes' type of stuff. Your attention to detail and quality of work is fantastic. You can always tell someone who really does the work vs. someone who is just there to film stuff by the way they pick up and position tools. You are truly a craftsman!

[@fuzz1248]

Hi Sarah, I bought a 1974 Celica ST in October of 1973. Mine was red with "racing stripes." It was an automatic transmission with no air conditionig. IT WAS THE BEST CAR I EVER HAD.Thank you for the memories!

[@kelvenguard]

Hi..... What did you pay for it back in 1973........ Thanks :)

[@doscojones6404]

My fifth grade teacher had a brown/white vinyl roofed manual - and it was beautiful :) My favourite Celica.

[@RX340]

Panic stopping a 1974 ANYTHING.... sketchy.😮 Hearing Sarahs gleeful laughter through the outside car gopro mic... PRICELESS! 🥰

[@AB-vc7ox]

It wasn't a problem if you knew how to set up and maintain your brakes... even 4 wheel drums, something most people didn't do.

[@marks1324]

I was grinning and laughing all the way through this video. Great idea to do a review on it. When this was new, this model was very fast and handled great! Fun to take my 70s high school friends for rides up on the windy mountain roads. Cheap gas then. It was an all around great car. So happy you enjoyed driving it! Brought back a lot of fun memories. Can't wait to see what you do with it!

[@ilovecops5499]

UTS CHEEP ON GA SBECAUS EIT DONT WEIGH MUHC, AND SMALL MOTOR MORE OPEN THROTTLE HAS HIGHE VOLUMNYTRIO CEFFICIENCY ANMD SCAVENGING EFFICIENCT. A MUSCLS CAS IS ON STEROIDS, AN I AM NTO ON STERIODES! THANSH YOUE ANDS THUMB BER IPPERS!!!😀😃😇🥰😍🤩💘💝💖💗💓💞💯💥🙏💪👍🐯🦁🦏🦣

[@dirtdobber7799]

that's going to be so awesome once you have it completed. With your attention to detail, this will be phenomenal.

[@mostcom]

I'm for the journey.

[@brianhope5853]

I bought a 1981 Toyota Celica GT brand new. I had to wait two weeks while it was coming off the boat and getting delivered. I loved that car. After some suspension mods I believe it would hang with a 1980 Corvette in most turns. After some engine mods, such as dual Weber carbs, Competition Cams camshaft, and a header it was DAMN FUN!

[@ChattinArmsCorp]

You’re a phenomenal human being and I thoroughly enjoy how your brain works! 💜

[@cwilliams4227]

I was in the first grade when my Dad bought one of these in 1971. Here in Australia there were wait times up to a year to get one. My Dad knew a dealer and managed to get one of the first ones in our city. I remember being dropped off at school and a crowd of parents and kids circled the car with lots of Ooohs and Arhhs. In 1971 these were the sexiest car on the road and even today still look awesome. Thanks for the memories.

[@fishflash1]

Great review. Driving it in a spirited manner with no brake or skid technology is something that you never forget from your younger days.

[@16driver16]

You didn't need traction control or abs when you had less than 100hp and drums... nowadays you'd have like 250+hp v6 and a 6spd with drilled and slotted rotors that are huge.

[@grunff]

WTF, you have the best taste in cars! The mix of cars on your fleet is just poetry.

[@rubenfranco9046]

3rd gear chirp with all that junk in the trunk is hella respectable. Love the whole "make it look stock" mentality when it comes to modification. Has to be one of my favorite builder flexes 💪 can't wait to see what the future holds for this little car!✌️

[@frankish5314]

haha, probably chirped as the wheels were decelerating.. It will really chirp with the V8 in it though..:)

[@Matt_from_Florida]

Period look, modern insides. The best of both worlds.

[@jklmn101]

The oddity is that the stock look sales are what makes the overall value rise. It's not really hard to understand when you consider just how many people there are out there flexing their builder muscles, myself included.

[@johnfranklin5277]

My 1st brand new car was a 1979 Toyota Celica ST. LOVED IT.

[@77Mowers]

I’ve enjoyed many of your projects so far, but this one is for sure my favourite. Can’t wait to watch the progress. 😊

[@tiredironrepair]

My first car. 1972 Celica ST coupe with an 18RU and 4 speed. I mowed lawns to buy it from our neighbor. Had no seats or steering wheel when I got it. Drove it home sitting on a bucket with vice grips to steer it. Had to rebuild the carb. but it came with Quikor suspension 3" lowered, deep dish aluminum turbine wheels 60 series tires. I loved that car. I lterally jumped it a few times on the dirt back road to my friends house. I swear it was practically indestructible.

[@vr6gls]

This has to be by far my favorite car review from you Sarah. This car is incredibly charming and has lots of character. Great job! 👍🏾

[@daveclarkrocks]

Sarah, I love how you just cannot wipe the smile off of your face when you talk about this car! It's so cool to see how psyched you are to work on it! I can't wait to see the end result! You rock Sarah!

[@bige8397]

Those lightweight cars with carb'd engines and manual transmissions were a blast to drive. Looking forward to this build :) .

[@jkK-lw9lu]

I couldn’t say it better 👍

[@robertt3715]

My buddy had a 72 Opel GT with the 1.0 liter, a 4 speed manual, about 90 hp, and weighed about 1900 pounds! Absolute blast to drive! I had an 82 Civic SL (3 door hatchback) with a 4 speed manual, and it was also a ton of fun to throw around corners. I'd love to restore one someday.

[@jkK-lw9lu]

@@robertt3715 I still have a74 VW CARMANN GHIA stored away since 1984. Built the motor up before that. My buds used to call it the 1800 lb. Orange that crushed 68 Camaros stop light to stop light 😎

[@captainnemo247]

@@robertt3715 Is that a typo? I presume you mean 1.8 litre?

[@robertt3715]

@@captainnemo247 I meant the 1.9

[@thomasgunther]

I really appreciate that you provide metric units to the numerics. Thank You!

[@RogerM88]

Looking how in great shape the body shell is, and being from a single owner, I'd reconsider modding it. Would make a great restoration project. While the V8 swap be done in a less greater unit, with new axles and fender flares.

[@SarahnTuned]

Not gonna happen

[@rlpederson]

@@SarahnTuned If you are looking for another project of this type, I have a 1979 corolla wagon that needs a new motor (or rebuild the one in it). Body is nice, interior is sun rotted but useable. I figure it would make a great rally type or cute rwd overlander. I also have a rough 280z if you want a better looking project. (both in Tucson)

[@darrob721]

Beautiful car Sarah. Adore you and your work

[@GunsmithSid]

I loved mine. Very balanced handling - 50/50 weight distribution, easy to toss around and easy to work on.

[@russellham2094]

Yeah and step out on you in the wet....

[@sidpark1695]

Not really - I’d have to trail brake and then kick the clutch to get the back to hang out. In the wet I could get it to come around at 30 instead of 45 in the dry. Of course the handbrake could encourage step out. With the little 165/80R13 tires it didn’t really hydroplane and control while sliding was very progressive. Manual steering really let you feel the contact patch and correction was easy.

[@trentsevern2866]

In high school, I had a 73 Celica. This was back in 85. I loved this car!

[@jefferyearly2487]

Always great to hear how much fun she has in this car!

[@YenCrew]

1970 Celica GT is my favorite one. Of course I'd happily take your model too

[@mitchellharris9854]

Normally I’m against engine swaps but I think you are one of few people who can do it properly. I’m looking forward to fallowing along.

[@AB-kg6rk]

I had a wagon, bought it in 1988 with over 100,000 miles. I delivered pizza in it full time for the next 4 years. Never had a problem with it.

[@thequattro20v]

One of the greatest rewiews, no one can fake those feelings what you had while driving. This is gonna be special.😎

[@s3hooligan]

Growing up in the late 70’s California, Toyota Celicas, Datsun 510s, VWs, and Capris were the “hot rods” that we were tuning. This is a great review….liked & subscribed👍

[@FromTheNard]

yep dad bought a celica st manual that i learned how to drive in the hills of La Crescenta, the other members of my family burned out the brakes on a datsun b210 after a few months and my high school drive was a datsun 1600 roadster. forgot to mention our other family cars the ford falcon and a torino.

[@brianschermann2359]

Thru the 70s my brothers and I had 4 different st’s and gt’s. The most fun cars I’ve ever had. My heart tugs at this video.

[@alfasudoro]

You are so lucky with those rust free cars. This is a very nice example. 49 years old and in a excellent condition.

[@symonpalmer20]

Hi Sarah, I know this is an excellent project, but I'm a little sad that this beautiful car is going to be changed. Wheel spin going up through the gears, popping as it goes down again, so I'm glad you have done a review on it as it is. Here's to the project not turning it into something less fun than it is now.

[@LuckyCharms777]

Agree. Keep it pure and enjoy it for what it is. “Slow” cars like these teach you how to keep it going fast since you don’t have the option to accelerate quickly after braking.

[@MOTHgraphics62]

Love your energy and open mind for this great find - that's a tape player btw.

[@josephdeparolis5001]

Sarah, I am glad that you have such a high regard for the Celica. I bought my RA/21 18RC back in 1972 while stationed on Okinawa. I have always liked the way it handles especially on winding roads. Yes it was quick for its time but I don't push it like back forty years ago. I still enjoy taking it out and showing it at local car shows. In the end I hope you get to enjoy yours as much and as long as I've enjoyed mine Smsgt retired.

[@charleswildman137]

The pizza joint I worked at in high school (Long long ago) had one of these (fastback) as the delivery car. I loved that car. It was holding up better than other cars that were much newer at the time (1980s).

[@VOByRobbins]

Fantastic video, love that you tested it now and will test it again after the Resto mod-- you truly care about the cars you work on and that's what we're here for, plus you're funny and cool in a nerdy way :) thanks Sarah, keep up the killer content!

[@paulredfern2252]

I had a TA22 GT 1.6 twin cam with extractors and the works. It was amazing. Comfortable, fuel efficient, and went hard. Kept up with V8 of the day.

[@perrybeyer7531]

The memories that video brought back.... thanks Sarah. I purchased a '76 GT Liftback back in 1978. 20R engine and 5 speed manual. It wasn't the quickest in a straight line, especially against American muscle cars, but on a twisty backroad.... one of the most fun to drive cars I've ever owned even to this day.

[@humbleevidenceaccepter7712]

Had to pause at 1:52 because my '76 GT Liftback was in the same color. It was the first car I ever bought. Bought a Haynes Manual and did my own maintenance. When I sold it in the mid-80's it still ran like a champ, but a decade of Michigan winters had pretty much rotted the body out. It also had the 20R engine and 5 speed; it was the car I learned how to drive stick in.

[@sahkia3326]

Nice Sarah,,,, I had a Orange 🍊 1976 Celica GT that was absolutely perfect,,, Fun Car….🙃

[@craigcampbell8560]

I've always loved the first generation Celica! They're great looking cars and they are really fun to drive. Can't wait to see how this one turns out when you finish the V8 swap!

[@default_user_id]

I had a 76 GT and drove it from 190k to about 310. Honestly favorite car ever. Better on Trails than any four-wheel drive I've ever owned, straight on the freeway cruise control locked at 90. Once I came off a four-wheel drive Trail and an entire Jeep Tour was in the midst of turning around because they thought the trail was too hard spit gravel in all five gears and left.

[@546Scott]

I’m pretty sure this is my favorite review of a car! The break test was priceless 👏🏼👏🏼 and the bolstering test was a close second 😅

[@lucleblanc6169]

Hearing her laugh from outside! 😂

[@kalk6256]

You looked so happy while driving & geeking out. Great video!

[@kippmadison1916]

Be still my heart...for both Sarah and this car: a 74 Celica ST was my first car ever back in 78. It was so much fun (at least as I remember it) and I would love to have it back. A pretty cool ride being in high school. Although now I may be spoiled by the quickness and handling of my (newly acquired) 23 BRZ.

[@mortkb]

what a cool throwback review. I love Toyota and especially old Toyota's. I can't wait to watch this unfold into a V8 beast.

[@kungfoos1111]

I had a 73 GT in 1988 lol. I fully restored it painted engine and interior. I loved that car. 18r two barrel weber and a shaved head with a header. 5 speed with air and a GT cursive symbol. Look forward to watching you fix her up. I can't believe you found such nice one . have fun

[@CronoCarGuy]

Super excited for this swap. Would be nice to see some quiet mufflers put on it with some electric cut outs to flick open during Race Mode lol

[@oliverrojas3185]

Sarah, thanks for breaking down the 1974 Toyota Celica. I had no idea that Toyota was creating high horsepower engines back in the Seventies. In pounds, (lbs), this car has a ratio of, (2170/97), 22 lbs per horsepower, (hp). In terms of suspension, instead of leaf springs, it has coils over the axle. When it comes to wiring, appreciate your simplying the complexity of working with wiring harnesses and explaining that it's broken down into two systems, one for the engine computer and one for the dash.

[@Devastator0]

Like, honestly Sarah, I'm genuinely shocked at the excellent condition of the car given the age of it. I know that you'll do the car proud with the work you have planned for it and I cannot wait to see how it will turn out. Keep up the excellent work!!

[@user-il2pm4zn3e]

The unbridled enthusiasm of this review, and absolute joy from chirping 3rd gear, is infectious. Sarah, your reviews are clearly the best on the web...... can't wait to follow this one!

[@johnmbell4642]

Hey Sarah, thats pretty sweet so cool it can get a little rubber in third gear. I think you made the right choice with the Toyota V8 keeping it in the Toyota family and your Family 🙂looking forward to this one🐧🐧🐧👍

[@BritcarMickey]

WOW! You sure brought back some great memories. The wife and I (newly married) bought a brand new '73 Celica ST - same color, with the factory side stripes. The interior was black vinyl with cloth inserts. Had A/C and AM/FM radio, just about the only options available as Toyota marketed these very well equipped as standard. Made several trips from S. Louisiana to the Rio Grande Valley, as well as over to the Florida Gulf Coast, and it was indeed very comfortable on the road. Loved that car and would love to have another one in the garage today!

[@oldiesgeek454]

That's great... Happy 50th Anniversary. 😊

[@Moose6340]

My older brother had a 1973 Celica, can't remember if it was an ST or GT. Great little scooter of a car. I remember stuffing my 10-year-old self in the tiny back seats in 1977 to go see Star Wars for the first time. :) I hope you're going to save the 18R for a future project. Those R-series engines right up through the 22R are damn near indestructible if you take the least bit of normal care of them. The trouble on Toyota from this era wasn't the engine or the powertrains or any of the mechanical bits, it was the bodies. They rusted out if you spilled a bottle of water near one. So for you to find this Georgia peach of a car with the body in that mint condition is truly exceptional.

[@tomheringer2047]

Can't wait to see the condition of the steel roof once the old vinyl is ripped off. I'm keeping my fingers crossed and hoping for the best.

[@johnashe1469]

I had one of these - the exact same car, with the luggage rack & bumper guards. Mine didn't have the vinyl top though. It was my 2nd car to own in my teens (1st car was a '74 Malibu). I swapped out the 4 speed for a 5 speed, reworked the head / valves, and added a semi header for exhaust. I miss that car, and the memories driving & working on it. My favorite thing about that car was it's exterior design. It was a beautiful little car with lots of sex appeal for a Japanese offering of its time. Never see these on the road anymore.

[@joehohmann6015]

Damn girl I can't wait to see how this thing comes out. Seeing how your other builds are so fine I'm expecting greatness !!!

[@marceltougas6574]

If I was mechanically inclined I would do the following; •V8 swap •install mechanical LS •brace the frame, possibly with roll cage •bigger rims, 15 or 16's •new suspension •bigger brakes and disks all round •wider front tires like they have on Audis •install that racing wide body kit •have the fog lights as DRL's •the white grill marker lights as signal lights •make rear signal lights orange •replace fake wood with real wood in the interior But I'm not mechanically inclined, but I am excited to see what you do to your car. Keep up the great video content 🤓

[@davidsmall7676]

I am so psyched for the Celica content. Thank you for all of your hard work and sharing these awesome builds! Haven’t been disappointed with a single one and would be happy to call any and all of them a prize possession! Great content as always!!❤🎉😊

[@dillyd3488]

I grew up in a car almost identical to that...Total nostalgia!!! Always wanted to get one and make a mini muscle car. So stoked on this build!

[@stephenmoxley3004]

Sarah, I love this car review. You expertly point out the differences between older cars and the new ones we have today. Of course, your seat bolstering test is hilarious. And I like your terminology for a 2,100 lb. car with 350 HP...Psychotic! Looking forward to seeing your psychotic Celica rip it up on the road.

[@psalm2forliberty577]

My college buddy had that exact year Celica in a copper brown. It wore American Racing slotted mag wheels, with RWL Goodrich TA tires. Aftermarket exhaust & Weber DGV Carb upgrade with Header under hood. This was 1982 & we took several trips from college in San Diego to Denver in that rig. Never skipped a beat ! Haven't seen one in decades. Just like my 1972 Datsun 510 ! Great memories !

[@Pauley_in_GP]

I remember when the Celica was introduced. I loved it then. I love it now. They were sharp little cars, and that one has the neater bumpers. Japanese cars were sure coming on strong back then. I love the fact that you got all those parts from the owner. To be honest, I'm a bit skeptical of the plan for a V8, but I'm looking forward to see what happens.

[@CVM222VOLT]

This was my first car as well when I was a Senior in HS 1980. Mine was a 3 speed automatic. This video really brought great memories.

[@niklaswejedal463]

That was such a joy to watch! I like the new addition of filming the car in motion from another car - I guess we have to thant the foodcake for that, right? Will be awesome to follow this build, just don't let it break you in the process, ok? Thank you for what you do and Stay Awesome! Good night from Sweden.

[@johnashleyhalls]

The gods are watching, thats why you got a Toyota ad on the radio. Is Celica Japanese for cool? Now we can all appreciate why there are Celica owners groups in so many places. They would meet at least once a year out in the parking lot of the auto place that I used to work at in Calgary. Although I don't remember seeing one of that vintage, there would have been a dozenish drivers going for a tour in the summertime.

[@RocktCityTim]

I'd wager that the mystery button is an internal cut for the seatbelt reset switch (normally in the engine bay on the passenger side). The ONLY item that I ever replaced on my '74 ST was the A/C belt tension pulley. I autocrossed mine, so definitely agree on your Octo score for handling. 118MPH was constantly hit in mine.

[@solstis56]

I really fell in love with the 74 Celica in 73. I was 18, working my butt off woring as an apprentice painter, and if the economy hadn't crashed, I would'a had one by the end of the year...

[@philipschrantz8402]

Wow. Such a great car. An amazing find, Sarah. I’m excited to see you put your magic touch to work on this one!❤️

[@desertrat77]

I loved these cars from the first year they came out. Always wanted an early one. Still do! But later I wound up with a 1978 GT and then later, a 1989 ST. Love your enthusiasm and the way you do your videos. Keep up the great work, Sarah!

[@scratch1924]

What a cute little car... The condition of it is astounding. It's a year younger then i and the car is in far better condition... Can tell you love this car. Your reactions are great. Someone really looked after that car, it's a little stunner. Congrats! :)

[@RandomGuyDan]

This was the 2nd car I ever bought for myself. I spent $100 of birthday/high school graduation money in June 1983 and bought a white '74 GT 5-speed with a black vinyl quarter top. It was sitting in a guy's front yard near the school where my dad taught. The DS fender had been replaced and was still in primer, there was no front bumper or grill. We put in a fresh battery, pours some gas down the carb and it fired right up and I drove it home. We sourced a replacement bumper and grill from a local salvage yard and I drove the car for over a year before the DS front subframe cracked going over railroad tracks. Apparently it had been bent in the accident that claimed the fender, bumper, and grill. But the car tracked just fine, so I didn't even know. It was a great car, super comfortable, great brakes, decent power. It wanted to cruise 70-75 all day long.

[@Laguy211]

You're going to turn that celica into a sleeper that's for sure and it'll look very clean too 😊❤ you got this 👍👍

[@bluestar2253]

I had a maroon-color 1973 Toyota Celica when I was in college in early 1980s. It has a 4-cylinder engine with a 5-speed transmission. Love that car! I used to joke that it runs faster than Carl Lewis!

[@a5thony]

You did such a great job on her, I’ve been seeing first and second gen Celicas a lot lately they’re such neat little things

[@larrylemons9747]

I had a dark green with gold striped ‘75 GT with 5 speed in the floor. Loved it. Finally outgrew it when our two baby boys came along. Great review.

[@pythosdegothos6181]

That breaking test was gold, the chirps were fun too. Window cranks. How quaint (stated like Scotty's reaction to the mouse in Star Trek IV). Those gauges likely actually indicate the termperatures opposed to how newer cars only show mid and "OH SHIT" (which I hate). That looks like a fun little car.

[@danring505]

Thanks so much, I had a 75 which was my first car. I bought it in 80. Great memories.👏🏻👏🏻✌🏻✌🏻👊🏻👊🏻

[@eefneleman9564]

You might want to brace the chassis. With the power and torque of the 2UZ you could snap that car in half. Love the styling of this car.

[@robkeogh4593]

So Many memories..... I had a silver one, down here in Australis. Identical except for the colour, down to the luggage rack on the bootlid...(trunk?) So much fun, 18 years old and AC/DC cranking out the speakers . 58 now, still AC/DC, but wishing I'd kept that car. Been watching tbe build, you're almost there and cant't wait to hear that engine

[@gwynnromano5881]

The muffler looks like an ANSA, they were a popular aftermarket muffler back in the day. Of course even then there were cheap knock offs.

[@irishjoe5868]

Monza

[@johnwoods5995]

Defo a ansa. Internal was red.

[@gnrlmusic]

My dad had a ‘76 Celica ST in ‘77. I had a blast in that car having just getting my license. So fun! Anxiously awaiting your transformation 👏👊

[@tompettersson3814]

This will be really fun to follow :) BTW, the rims look great on the car.

[@Jrfsfnm1]

I had that car new in 1974. Drove it for dix years. AC wasnt great and slowed it down a lot. I had a radio shack cassette/fm jammed in the glove box. What memories return watching your excitement with this ancient rig.

[@eskieman3948]

The poor A/C performance was pretty common with most Japanese cars into the mid '80s. Our '85 Toyota Camry LE was one of the first Japanese cars that I found could finally stand up to Southern summers.

[@kendrom]

I used to have one of these in the late 1990's. I bought it for around $800 from a friend. I really wish I still had it, but they're a bit out of my price range these days. It wasn't a fast car, by any means, but it really was a lot of fun to drive. Kinda like driving a big go cart, and I loved the interior. It really did feel like a mini muscle car.

[@rlpederson]

My first car was a 1978 Corolla SR5 hatch. So much FUN to drive. It weighed quite a bit more than this but it still was a blast to drive

[@gregmckay1672]

My first car was a ‘72 Toyota Celica that was a blast to drive. I had always wanted to put a V8 in it. Can’t wait to see your finished build!

[@brealistic3542]

Sara, that was one of Toyotas best sportcars. Many were raced and were winning racecars. Wonderful little car.

[@denisgauthier3410]

Love that generation of Celica, they were one of the most populars cars in Canada at that time. I look forward to your vision of this car. Thank you:))

[@faceinthecrowd5810]

So cool! I began driving in the early 70’s and was a car geek from the first turn of the key. So many of the sought after “classics” are a rare find all these years later or they have already been restored, hopped, chopped, or scrapped. I love how you have put a car that years ago would have been laughed at and you will get the last laugh with that V8!! One of the first cars I looked at was a V8 maverick, or comet? My first car was a 65 Buick Special with a 310 Wildcat for $175.00!!! Great production work, keep up the content!

[@davidsimmons9763]

In '78, I bought my first car. A '71 Celica. It was baby blue. Painted it black and put Corolla wheels on it because it came with steel wheels with chrome wheel covers. A nice spec for this body style. I wish I didn't have to sell it, but I needed a truck for work. Miss that car bad!!! I had a switch like that. In that same spot. I used it to switch from radio to 8-track. The 8-track fit into the glove box. Had Jensen Coaxials in the doors and Jensen Triaxials on the back shelf.

[@billymickel464]

I was a salesman at a big Toyota dealer in massachusettes back in 1973-74. I sold dozens of Celica ST's and GT's. Around $3,000-$3,500 new. Neat cars. Corolla SR5's were pretty cool for under $3,000.

[@OHJLM]

The Celica looks like blast to drive! Love the moment you chirped it into third and the engine was pulling a Scotty - given you all it's got!

[@chrisryanbeltran]

Awesome! My dad owned a 1975 Celica ST 4MT in forest green when we lived Kadena AFB, Okinawa. I remember when I was 7yo I used to start the car every morning before going to school. We had fun memories driving around Okinawa.

[@averagejoe845]

I loved my 1972 Celica, the most fun car for driving on the hilly and winding roads in western Pennsylvania. Foolishly sold it when I moved to Texas because I needed a car with AC.