Toyota Celica Mk 1 | Japan’s Forgotten Fastback

These days, old-school JDM is defined by the 240Z, Skyline, andthe 510. But Nissan wasn't the only player at the time. Brian Karasawa describes his passion for Japan's most overlooked classic--Toyota's first-gen Celica.
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[@brianwarhurst7538]

Its not forgotten, just impossible to find!

[@adrianr4151]

plenty in south aussie...ive owned over 10 of them. 3 currently as I want these beasts to be living for many years yet!

[@JeeGee114]

One can easily find a Volvo or Saab from the same period over here. Those Toyota's rusted even more than a Morris Marina so most of them ended in the scrapyard premature.

[@zacrl1230]

First thought! No one has forgotten about these, We just can't find any that aren't rusted or modded to death.

[@rockets4kids]

That's because most of them rusted out. Not hating, just a fact of life!

[@rcmc1256]

I had a beat up one my friend gave me with a rotary swap haha

[@iDrive4fun93]

I am so glad the owner decided to go with an all motor build rather than turbocharging it. Carburated cars ftw! 185hp out of a 20r/22r is wicked impressive, and I am sure it moves pretty good. Pure car, pure motor. Couldn't get any better than that. I want it!

[@likeclockwork6473]

My god that car is perfect. I'd love to see Toyota bring them back with that specific old school look. It captures that late 60s early 70s muscle look that is now extremely desirable but the size and weight isn't too over the top like its American competitors at the time.

[@garydunn3037]

Sam Non Yeah, you are right, it definitely looked like a scaled down version of an American muscle car from thelate 60's to early 70's.

[@SybePlays]

Its just an mini mustang that's so awesome and that styling is just grear

[@garydunn3037]

SybePlays Yeah, to me it was one of the best looking cars ever to come out of Japan. With all those retro carsgoing on today, wouldn't it be great if Toyota could bring back a modern day equivalent, those Classic goodlooks, but with modern technology.

[@Jukkaimaru]

+Gary Dunn Ironically, it's not a lot smaller than the pre-1969 Mustangs. Close to the same width and the Celica is actually a couple of inches taller, but the Mustangs were about 20 inches longer. Come 1969 though the Mustang also got a fair bit wider.

[@jamiegilmour1677]

Jukkaimaru h

[@brenan318]

It looks american but at the same time japanese, what a beauty

[@toolshedjunky]

My '76 Lift Back GT was my daily driver for 12 years. I sold it after putting 250,000 miles on it. It was one of the most reliable cars I've ever owned.

[@blues03]

Why'd you sell it? Just curious.

[@toolshedjunky]

blues03 Bought a "71 Chevelle

[@blues03]

Chuck U Farlie Ah, nice. Thanks for the (quick) response.

[@italiangirl2440]

Chuck U Farlie I used to have a GT liftback and Coupe I sold them to buy the 95 Celica that looks like the Supra back in 2001. I love the 95 Celica that I have it is the nicest one I've seen in my state wish I would have never sold my cars

[@danc1197]

Over 300k on my 82 Corolla. I miss it.

[@wadewilliston5424]

I had a Celica when I lived in Japan. Blue with gold and silver metal flake. A real head turner.

[@jeremyrebelka]

I admire people like him.

[@MrMarkpark]

My dad had one of those he bought new in '76. Looking at the dash really brings me back.

[@nimj1234]

I've never said "I want to own that Toyota" until I first saw The Celica.

[@voltffa1774]

Nimj1234 same here, except it was a prius

[@Treaxvour]

@@voltffa1774 I've never said I want to own a Prius, but I have wanted many Toyotas .

[@thepassionofthegoose5472]

In 92 I had a coworker who had one in the exact same color. Older gentleman who bought it when new. Drove it as his daily and it was spotless as the day he got it. I've appreciated these ever since.

[@couerl]

My first car was a gloss black 77' Celica GT coupe with a sunroof and louvers. The guy I got it from was a rich college kid and he bent the rear bumper backing into something and sold it to me for $200.00 bucks. I got a clean bumper from the junk yard for 20 bucks and basically had a new Celica with 60k miles on it for next to nothing. The only thing I ever did to it was put brakes, tires and plugs, oil and air cleaner and that sort of thing. I drove it for another 60k miles and sold it for $400. No, it wasn't the fastest car but it was fast enough and super reliable and fun to drive.

[@mzondi1970]

What a beauty. Not taking anything from mustangs but I would rather have this in a hearbeat

[@daniel27560]

I like the car but it looks allot like the mustang

[@christiansanchez1486]

@@daniel27560 it's mustangs Japanese cousin

[@johncollins7423]

mzondi1970 My pal Dave Elmore has a 1972 model. That thing is fun as hell to go flying up the Blue Ridge Parkway in. Handles like it's on rails. A great old classic. I wish Toyota would bring it back with a retro-inspired design & a 3.5 V6 Turbo, coupled to a 6 speed manual. That'd be freakin' awesome!

[@CronusandRhea]

Mustangs are for douche bags and little rich girls.

[@stubs1227]

Charles Lee Ray yeah right

[@JonathanBartolo]

Trust me, for true JDM enthusiasts who have an eye for classics, will never forget or cease to remember the Celica Fastback.

[@swillia6rider]

This guy's attitude is awesome. And 4:21...that's a special kind of anxiety only experienced by doing big work on your own stuff. Love the huge payoff.

[@lordzevallos]

Wow this car is absolutely beautiful. It's so damn cool. Has that nice Boxy look.

[@bimmerboye896]

That's... not boxy....

[@saverlater123]

HUNTER WILL GET YOUR ASS OFF compared to the designs these days, this is properly boxy

[@farmsgrace341]

Alex Zevallos that's not boxy. There's curves in those body lines. That rear really looks mustang, though. The next Gen (80's) of the celicas were boxy wi a flat wedge front.

[@gavinmcclure8047]

I'm in love with that car and I'm not even a Toyota fan

[@LRS905]

As a kid my front neighbor had one of these, deep blue with a cream top, and it was of the most wonderful things you could see as a young boy.

[@OctaneSlain]

Damn, the music, the cinematography... It's perfect. Amazing job.

[@vitorgarrido3014]

In Portugal was very popular! We still love the old celica today. Great classic

[@rickyjezus1344]

The Celica is the Supra's father

[@sjsf5]

So does that make the Corolla the grandpa ?! Haha

[@rickyjezus1344]

I guess so!

[@USMCSniper50]

Ricky Caceres nah, it's the 2000GT!

[@tscooter22]

+Ricky Caceres The Supra became its Daddy. :-)

[@265308]

+tscooter22 yeah but the 2kgt is the most expensive JAPAN car of all time is it not?

[@astapler4808]

The first gen sports cars to come out of Japan were awesome. The 240z, the Gallant GTO, the 510, the RX-3, and the Celica. They're all amazing to look at.

[@weyloco3047]

Love my 1990 celica with pup up headlights

[@elavson96]

The Celica and Mark 2, both Toyota’s old time legends,the longer in time,the more it captivates the eye with its elegance,great proportion,sporty and sleek.

[@transce]

It's beautiful! Congratulations on an excellent restoration, Brian. I love the Celica. My dad had a brand new '94, I had an '89 right after high school and when I got older and graduated college and had some money, I purchased one of the ultra-rare Celica Altrac Turbo (ST165) that I had drooled over for years in video games but gave up ever finding in real life. It makes me sad that Toyota doesn't make sports cars in North America anymore.

[@djmattplay]

Great build! My first car was a 77 Celtica GT Coupe.. I miss that car so much and have dreamed of finding one to restore myself

[@cashmoney5331]

Very similer story with my dad, he wrote off his first and now owns two of them and still wants more! we recently got 5 out to a local carshow because of my dads facebook group. I LOVE THE FIRST GENS

[@ageofreason77]

I wanted to congratulate you on this car. It is a beautiful peace of machine. I love the old style of front , two sets of twin light, nice grill, spoiler and fast back... I could stare at this car for hours man. I have a 1979 Fiat 125p, it is also orange but a 4 door. Nice video

[@jbmckean]

One of my old friends had a 2.0 ltr GT with the Lotus engine in it.... it was a rocket ship for its time..what a lovely car :)

[@simeonbgat]

got to love the oldschool carbs

[@italiangirl2440]

Pork Chop I used to own a 76 and 77 Celica one bad thing was the catalytic converters went bad and you couldn't find one anywhere so in order for me to pass emissions on these cars without the Cadillac converter I had to put smaller fuel jets in the carburetor and basically starve the engine until I pass emissions and then switch them back out to what was in there originally I miss the old cars I had

[@Dragunov302]

The lines on this car are perfect, the sound is perfect, the interior is spot on, the car is clean. What an amazing and clean car!!! I want one

[@SmacSA]

One of the best looking cars

[@Xcorgi]

I had a 1974 Celica GT back in 1983. It was the most fun to drive car I have ever driven to this day! I wish I still had it.

[@themockalove]

This is amazing. Why so few subscribers???

[@ElectricFederal]

Many of the other car channels are backed by media companies that invest a fortune in social media and marketing; some even received Google/KZbin grants. We're independent.

[@themockalove]

ElectricFederal and you're awesome, find yourself a sponsor.

[@ElectricFederal]

Hear that, sponsors?

[@MsKinnara]

Makes me really miss my 1978 Toyota Celica gt 5 speed liftback I had back in the 80's was the best car I've ever owned

[@jeltonjelton3437]

@ElectricFederal Okay, been waiting eight years for a link to this awesome soundtrack. Gonna have to ask for a status update on this

[@Mow_Lester]

Same

[@buickmike75]

For the first time in my life, I miss my '77 Celica GT liftback that I had 20 years ago. Well done!

[@Maxpound]

This is what the Mustang II should have looked like/been.

[@italiangirl2440]

Lord Goarmagon I used to have one of these cars and a lot of people confused it with a Mustang even though it was smaller than a Mustang I think it was the fins on the side that made it resemble a Mustang wish I would have never sold my 76 Celica and my 77 Celica but I do now have a 95 Celica that is the nicest in my town

[@Micsmit_45]

@@italiangirl2440 To be honest I think the T20 is the ugliest Celica there is. The T18 and T23 look just soo much better.

[@italiangirl2440]

@@Micsmit_45 not familiar with describing Celica by those numbers what year of Celica are you talking about?

[@Micsmit_45]

@@italiangirl2440 the T18 is the one before yours the T23 the one after

[@RAFAGaming11]

Micsmit 45 no, t20 is the first gen, T23 is the last gen, but the last gen got the T23 name because of it being ZZT231/230, all the other got AT and ST, like AT160, ST162, ST165, ST182, ST185, ST202, ST205 and etc etc

[@Canada4Israel]

I had a 1973 and loved driving it. So solid and enjoyable.

[@bobbankshot3209]

Cool car, and cool music.

[@hyperlogos]

We've been *trying* to forget the Celica, but you reminded us. Thanks.

[@Jayeeyee]

Is it just me or does that 20/22R hybrid engine need stiffer engine mounts?

[@m-c-m-]

Yea, i would say so.

[@hectortrejo1198]

Jayee toooooo much poowaaaaaa

[@Jayeeyee]

185hp is not "toooooo much poowaaaaaa" at all. If anything, floppy engine mounts can cause parasitic loss of torque to the drivetrain.

[@hectortrejo1198]

Well rx7 79? .. your talking rotary engine right ...? ... different ball game

[@wil8115]

the mounts can be easily modded stiffer using a 3"x1/2" bolt thru the middle. not as stiff as solid mount but much better then that floppy rubber design.

[@guitarkevin13]

i grew up with this car by myside till i was about 12 years old. a stock orange 1970 TA22 it was the most beautiful car i have ever set my eyes on as a little kid and driving in it was even better, hearing that 4 cylinder engine roar was thrilling for a kid like me at the time. And now i want to own one someday :D

[@TheCoolMhs]

Wish they would make cars this way today!! ...coming from a 17 year old.

[@TheCoolMhs]

ThundertonTV I assume most current-gen people prefer today's cars, that's why.

[@DamYankeeOutdoors]

I'm with you dude. I'm 17 and I want nothing past 1995 because everything was built not only better and stronger but more beautiful. With passion and care. Not just throwing out as many vehicles as possible to make money. The companies actually cared about the people driving their cars.

[@TheCoolMhs]

TheUltimateFish Well I'm not saying current cars are not good, I would buy a new car but I feel older ones are better.

[@DamYankeeOutdoors]

Mohammed Sheikh They are safe and built decently don't get me wrong, but older cars were made with MUCH more quality.

[@TheCoolMhs]

TheUltimateFish That's what I meant...absolutely.

[@elbrownman]

My father actually bought a 82 toyota celica gt in 1990. Driven it to this day. Its at 450,000 miles and is still a daily driver. Most reliable car ive ever seen.

[@GTnumber1]

The new Celica doesn't deserve the name "Celica" on it

[@13THPR0PH37]

What new celica?

[@GTnumber1]

13THPR0PH37 I meant the 7th generation T230 series

[@MixOfMad]

The 7th gen has got really smooth steering, and the steering wheel itself looks really cool. But that's about it, the interior (except the seats and gauge cluster) looks silly and is made from horrible plastic, the engine is surprisingly tiny and worst of all, what happened to the 4WD option that was available for the previous generations!? In short, you're right.

[@video99couk]

7th Gen was also an unreliable rust bucket. Pick of the crop for me is 6th Gen.

[@jonathanrangel7036]

Yeah, the good thing I guess about the 7th gen though is that they are really cheap to get one and very easy to maintain.

[@leonnel7122]

props to the people that restores these kind of cars.

[@tofudeliverypanda]

This 22R sounds a lot like a 4AG :O

[@bradzamora8524]

+TofuDeliveryPanda Are you saying that because you want it to sound like an 86 or...? lol Not trying to be an ass here, but I don't think they sound alike in my opinion. This has a much more aggressive sound to it. First time I heard this engine I jumped like an idiot. lol

[@tofudeliverypanda]

+Brad Zamora when you put it that way, yes brad, you do sound like an ass. Whenever you start off with "Not trying to be an ass... ", you definitely are. I wasn't trying to "want[ing] it to sound like a 86". I was voicing my opinion that this 22R w/ side draft carbs sounds a lot like my 4AGE w/ ITBs, or my friend's 4AGE in his 86, or another friend's 4AGE in AW11. You don't have to agree with me.

[@bradzamora8524]

TofuDeliveryPanda Lol that's fine. You're right, I don't have to agree with you. And I'm not going to. Though, it's not like your opinion was needed in the first place. Nor was mine, but that's really not the point. Point being is that I've just never heard a 4AG-E roar like a 22R. 4AG-E lacks that beefiness to it, it just sounds like it's screaming to me. Sorta sound like a deeper sounding 13B in my opinion. But my opinion doesn't matter does it? lol

[@vali156BARZOIU]

Mini 4age

[@rabbitphobia]

@ Brad Zamora 13B as in a Rotary? You have to be kidding right if you're serious you need your hearing checked.

[@Spitsz01]

I love this car. My pal had an ST and the seats and gearshift were out of this world. We called it the partymobile. Good days. The front with the double close together lights always reminded me of the eyes of a spider, pouncing... I want it too!

[@JoKeR-ru5dk]

What the name of the song you were playing?? Sweet ride homie

[@19chucki74]

What a lovely liftback Celica. The first generation is my all time favorite import. Superb job on the resto.

[@ElectricFederal]

Reminder: All of our latest content airs on /Drive and /Drive+!

[@UnregisteredSBR]

ElectricFederal Is there a way I can get a name for that intro song?

[@therightnuke]

MobiusPhantom7 Go to 4pistonsmedia on KZbin

[@C345OFR]

therightnuke Sadly 4Pistons doesn't list the track used in this vid.

[@ElectricFederal]

EastStandManc That's on us--this track was never "finished." The stuff you hear on the video is everything of the track. If only we did EF full time...

[@C345OFR]

ElectricFederal That's a real shame, it's a beast of a track.

[@dw7598]

I had a 72/73 Celica and that was by far the toughest car I’ve ever owned! Super reliable too.

[@yomajo]

What is that soudtrack? Please? Great vid though. Art...

[@md.habiburrahmankhan557]

i liked the the soundtrack too....daamn good.

[@sk8er4590]

That's a beautiful Celica! I have an 86 Celica ST and I couldn't ask for anything better for a first car.

[@strateass]

What song is it at the intro

[@TheTruth-ht7qm]

I loved this car when i was a kid. Glad to see that my choice in cars was on the button.

[@BennyMaxJPN]

NICE NICE!

[@jamesdunn9714]

I bought a Celica GT brand new in '74. It was a silver car and I had it for three years, sold it and bought it back one year later. Guess I liked it!

[@nikolatesla248]

69-70 Mustang Mach 1/Fastback Mini me

[@lesterclaypool1]

Nikola Tesla That's what my wife always said about our '76: Looked like someone threw a '69 Mustang in the dryer on high.

[@siuandy1213]

4:26…it is what i am experiencing… I really want to say that this video is a perfect example that you don't need a lot of horse power to have fun. And the satisfaction of driving a car that is rebuilt by yourself… i think this something to be proud of.

[@CanineArachnid]

Can we agree that most of the 80's and early 90's cars were ugly as fuck? 60's and 70's are when the real beauties were made.

[@diztorcion666]

I agree,

[@REPOMAN24722]

I disagree, I think the peak was with the start of the DR30 Skyline and the end of good looking cars was the S15 silvia.

[@whoami724y]

#ToyotaSupra

[@HELLO-bc5bm]

I disagree most awesome cars are 2000 and under besides the gtr r35 and the pantie wetting C7 Z06

[@ImpactedMexican]

So my 89 aw11 is ugly? :c

[@deathbygod5810]

This car is my dream car. First saw it when i was 19, but it was the st model. Fell in love with it till today.

[@eightyseveneightyfive6280]

Thank you for restoring it, you are doing a service to car enthusiasts by preserving it.

[@mercoid]

I grew up in the 70s. Nvr realized what a nice car this was. I used to see them all over.

[@gloomy2931]

My dad had one of these when I was a kid. I miss the dang car and wish he didn’t get rid of it, i loved that car and it would’ve been amazing if he kept it and let me drive it as soon as I was old enough.

[@johndrippert3289]

I have not forgotten it. Dad had a 1971 ST with some nice aluminum rims. I bought it from him using my $700 tax refund. It did not have much horsepower but it handled great and was extremely reliable. I have given much thought to finding one with the body in good shape to update with better engine, a 5 speed transmission, updated brakes and suspension. Maybe when I retire in a few years. I wish I could add a picture to this post. I still have the original watercolor look brochure for this car. I have a scan of the cover that will be made into a framed picture for my wall.

[@Oliver-rh5bv]

The 76' celica GT. Thats what I call a car. A design beauty.

[@WelshWidgetMan2O1O]

I remember looking at a brand new orange Celica GT at the Toyota dealership back when this was a new model. I vividly remember test driving this car with my brother and deciding whether to buy one or not. I ended up buying another model but these old cars sure bring back some great memories.

[@moiqbal9803]

Beautiful car. Thanks for showing. Brings back memories. I had the 1978 1600 ST. During the 80's. The car was 6yrs old. That celia was a head Turner then as I am sure it still would today.

[@windowphobe]

I drove a bone-stock '75 notchback for almost 17 years, and even with a meager 96 ponies it was a blast to drive. I can only imagine what this one is like.

[@AddySaeed]

I had forgotten about this car... Such a cool gem... Makes me want to go back and restore my old Toyota Corolla... :)

[@kanggoo57]

i never forget the celicas!! i have a 1986 celica myself.

[@redtorino]

Love the sound of those Solexes....takes me back to Okinawa 32 years ago. A twin-cam head would be icing on the cake.

[@Buttnut105]

Never really looked at Toyota's till I saw this video about a month ago. I love this car. Its got the right lines, the right wheels, and the right height on the road; sounds good too.

[@austimbo]

Thanks for posting. I used to have 1972 TA22 that was done up with a 2TG (1.6L DOHC). How I miss that car!

[@miguelsalami]

AWESOMENESS BEAUTIFUL RESTORATION ❗I MISS MY 1983 SUPRA 😣

[@michaellorah9051]

I'm a classic muscle guy every day of the year, but I love the look of that car. I want one.

[@DailyWarbird]

I had a 1971 GT, 1977 GT and a LT at different times plus many later models, but these earley Celica's had character. Thanks for sharing this video, bought back some great memories.

[@ehd1990]

i saw one similar at the palos verdes car show recently. it was silver with a little blue pin stripe going down each side. it was clean. i saw cars ranging from 50k to about a million bucks and that Celica stood out the most to me.

[@Koolbob2]

I've owned and sold a bunch of cars in my life, replacing each old car with a 'better' new car. But the only car I miss and wish I still had is my 1977 Celica Liftback GT, orange with a black interior. If I had one today, I'd build it exactly like this one. Well done.

[@Ottonic6]

Nice!... I had a great 1979 Celica GT (20-R engine), now have a 1989 GT Liftback (3SFE engine) as my 2nd car, it still runs great... Love em....

[@garydunn3037]

We sold these back in the late 70's early 80's and they looked great. The styling was very much late 60's early 70's American muscle car influenced. I loved them. and still do.

[@JoefPascasio]

That was a nice car you have there Sir. No computerized headaches, simple mechanical engine and that is really an exotic car right there. Job well done Sir. Very nice car.

[@stevebird7265]

I have owned 2 of these, and would buy one again in a heartbeat if I could find one.

[@manu64646464]

Celica, one of my first car. Still got one,... Nice movie here.

[@davidcampbell7831]

Man, that is one throaty sounding 4cyl... just awesome. What a pleasure that car must be to drive. The owner would be a great guy to chat up at a show + shine.

[@lecoureurdesbois86]

Little atmospheric 4 sounds so great 👌

[@sammyraz6628]

What a beauty! The passion and hard work comes through in droves.RESPECT

[@67tomcat]

Build it again, just like this, and I'd buy it tomorrow. Beautiful example of a classic Japanese sports coupe.

[@rasputionify]

this is truly a piece of art. i would love to own one. my dad had a 77' in tan with the louvers. it was a manual (i guess they all were) and he raced, and actually beat 240z's on a regular basis in is factory lil celica. with less than 100 hp, i find those stories amazing

[@revzillo]

That Orange color really pops and the attention to detail is astonishing . I had a 1980 Celica lift back in black with a fold back sun roof , not as popular as the 76-78 like this one , but I still miss it , I'd have loved to had restored it to better than new , the unusual thing was it had metallic red steel wheels with chrome hub caps and lug nuts and chrome bright rings which really set it off , though a set of racing alloys would have been better !

[@1CUTEWOLFMAN]

WELL DONE FOR PRESERVING ANOTHER CELICA,IT LOOKS FANTASTIC!

[@eryks3336]

The music line in all your movies are staggering! Really kickin' in with the picture!

[@coolhardware65]

PURE BEAUTY BRING THAT ESSENCE BACK TO THE CAR SCENE TOYOTA

[@DaylightDallas]

The boy racers were writing these classic corollas and celicas off back in the day. There are not many around. I am just super happy that i saved a few.

[@leonidasdelosreyes7541]

She is a beauty indeed!!! Damn, he is one lucky guy...

[@stirlingwaite]

At minute 4:00 you hear how proud he is, and the passion for doing something that he loves. +1 Keep it up!

[@bruceayers6602]

Love it. my 1st car was a 74 Celica 16r engine. we split the exhaust manifold to run dual exhaust. it sounded like the old Chevy straight 6's but a little higher pitched. Miss it so much.

[@TheRicokilla]

I just love the old school interior design.

[@joetrosclair8434]

I spent a large portion of my Childhood in a classic Celica GT God I miss that little car

[@johnhiram1207]

I was in love with these cars as soon asthey hit the roads.

[@darrenmay4818]

Awesome, i live in Japan now and these are getting rare.