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Toyota Celica

Carina roots, rally crowns: the Celica GT-Four made Toyota a WRC drivers' champion in 1990.12

Researched October 28, 2026 from 40 sources

Also called

  • Daruma CelicaThe first generation's rounded body and recessed headlights recalled a daruma good-luck charm.3
  • Japanese MustangThe 1973 Liftback echoed the 1969 Ford Mustang fastback's C-pillar louvers and vertical-bar taillights.4
  • King of AfricaThe TA64 Celica Twin-Cam Turbo racer earned it by winning three-quarters of Africa's rally rounds over four years.5

At a glance

0150300
86.8–251.4 hpPower
07.515
5.9–11.2 s0–60 mph
0125250
172.2–246.2 km/hTop speed
0200400
142.4–303.7 N·mTorque
07501,500
880–1,390 kgWeight

The coral arc spans the family, from its mildest version to its wildest.137101315

Engine
1.4-2.4 L inline-fours; 2.0 L turbo GT-Four4713
Layout
Front engine; RWD 1970-1985, FWD 1985-2006; AWD GT-Four4
Gearbox
4/5-speed manuals; seventh-gen GT-S 6-speed; 3/4-speed automatics114
Built at
Tsutsumi, Tahara and Higashi-Fuji plants, Japan4
Units built
More than 4.1 million5

The story

Spanish for 'heavenly,' Celica began as an affordable coupe for younger drivers, built on the Carina's rear-drive chassis. Its Full Choice ordering system let buyers mix engines, transmissions and trim.13

1970: December 1: the Full Choice coupe19701973: Liftback adds a tailgate and 143 hp19731985: Front-wheel drive changes the formula19851986: GT-Four adds permanent four-wheel drive19861989: Four-wheel steering, active suspension19891991: GT-Four RC: 5,000 for homologation19911994: ST205: 251 hp and a 2,500-car WRC run19941999: Seventh generation joins Genesis19992006: April ends seven generations2006 Toyota Sports 800: 1965–1969Celica (first generation) (A20 / A30): December 1970–July 1977A20 / A30Celica (second generation) (A40 / A50): August 1977–July 1981Celica (third generation): 1981–1985Celica (fourth generation) (T160): 1985–1989T160Celica (fifth generation): 1989–1993Celica (sixth generation): 1993–1999Celica (seventh generation) (T230): 1999–2006T230 197019801990200020102020
GenerationsBefore and afterMilestones145678151617192027
Show the numbers
YearWhat happened
1965–1969Toyota Sports 800
December 1970–July 1977Celica (first generation) (A20 / A30)
August 1977–July 1981Celica (second generation) (A40 / A50)
1981–1985Celica (third generation)
1985–1989Celica (fourth generation) (T160)
1989–1993Celica (fifth generation)
1993–1999Celica (sixth generation)
1999–2006Celica (seventh generation) (T230)
1970December 1: the Full Choice coupe
1973Liftback adds a tailgate and 143 hp
1985Front-wheel drive changes the formula
1986GT-Four adds permanent four-wheel drive
1989Four-wheel steering, active suspension
1991GT-Four RC: 5,000 for homologation
1994ST205: 251 hp and a 2,500-car WRC run
1999Seventh generation joins Genesis
2006April ends seven generations
  1. 1970

    December 1: the Full Choice coupe

    Japan's new Celica shared Carina underpinnings and offered Full Choice ordering; the factory could deliver a personalized car in as little as eight days.13

  2. 1973

    Liftback adds a tailgate and 143 hp

    April brought the Liftback: room for surfboards and camping gear, plus a Japanese-market 2000GT with 143 hp and a 1040 kg curb weight.34

  3. 1985

    Front-wheel drive changes the formula

    The fourth generation turned its engine sideways and drove the front wheels, sharing its platform with the Corona and Carina.6

  4. 1986

    GT-Four adds permanent four-wheel drive

    October brought the fourth-generation GT-Four: a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine and full-time four-wheel drive.67

  5. 1989

    Four-wheel steering, active suspension

    The fifth generation introduced Toyota's first dual-mode four-wheel steering; its made-to-order Active Sports suspension version was limited to 300 cars.8

  6. 1991

    GT-Four RC: 5,000 for homologation

    The RC gained a water-cooled intercooler, metal turbo turbine and the world's first laser-clad valve seat; about 5,000 were planned worldwide.9

  7. 1994

    ST205: 251 hp and a 2,500-car WRC run

    The Japanese GT-Four gained 251 hp; its aluminum hood saved about 8 kg. Toyota also announced 2,500 WRC homologation models.710

  8. 1999

    Seventh generation joins Genesis

    Tadashi Nakagawa's youth-focused redesign used Yamaha-co-developed 1.8-liter 1ZZ-FE VVT-i and 2ZZ-GE VVTL-i engines.51112

  9. 2006

    April ends seven generations

    Production ended in April after seven generations; more than 4.1 million Celicas had been built.45

Every generation

  • Toyota Sports 800
    Toyota Sports 8001965–1969
  • Celica (first generation)
    A20 / A30December 1970–July 1977
  • Celica (second generation)
    A40 / A50August 1977–July 1981
  • Celica (third generation)
    Celica (third generation)1981–1985
  • Celica (fourth generation)
    T1601985–1989
  • Celica (fifth generation)
    Celica (fifth generation)1989–1993
  • Celica (sixth generation)
    Celica (sixth generation)1993–1999
  • Celica (seventh generation)
    T2301999–2006

Power over the years

From 113 hp to 251 hp in 24 years.

0100200300 1970197519801985199019952000 hp 1970 · 113 hp · Japan 1600GT1977 · 128 hp · Japan 2000 DOHC GT1981 · 133 hp · Japan 2000GT1985 · 134 hp · Japan 2000 Twin Cam 16 GT-R1986 · 182 hp · Japan GT-Four1989 · 222 hp · Japan GT-Four1991 · 235 hp · GT-Four RC1993 · 177 hp · Japan SS-II 2000 Twin Cam 161994 · 251 hp · Japan ST205 GT-Four2000 · 140 hp · GT 1.8 VVT-i2000 · 180 hp · GT-S 1.8 VVTL-i2003 · 189 hp · T Sport (UK) 251 hp Japan ST205 GT-Four 113 hp Japan 1600GT
3678912141516171819
Show the numbers
YearHorsepowerModel
1970113Japan 1600GT
1977128Japan 2000 DOHC GT
1981133Japan 2000GT
1985134Japan 2000 Twin Cam 16 GT-R
1986182Japan GT-Four
1989222Japan GT-Four
1991235GT-Four RC
1993177Japan SS-II 2000 Twin Cam 16
1994251Japan ST205 GT-Four
2000140GT 1.8 VVT-i
2000180GT-S 1.8 VVTL-i
2003189T Sport (UK)

Versions

11 versions worth knowing, with their power.

  • Standard

    Celica 140 / Premium / Style

    2003

    140 hp
  • 1600GTV

    Performance

    1600GTV

    1972

  • Performance

    GT-S (1982)

    1982

    96 hp
  • Celica 190 / T Sport

    Performance

    Celica 190 / T Sport

    189 hp
  • GT-Four (ST165)

    Performance

    GT-Four (ST165)

    1986

    185 hp
  • GT-Four (ST205, Japan)

    Performance

    GT-Four (ST205, Japan)

    1994

    251 hp

  • Special

    Red Collection / Blue

    2004

    140 hp
  • GT (2005)

    Limited

    GT (2005)

    2005

    190 hp
  • GT-Four RC / Carlos Sainz (ST185)

    Limited

    GT-Four RC / Carlos Sainz (ST185)

    1991

    235 hp

    5,000 built

  • Limited

    GT-Four WRC (ST205, Japan)

    1994

  • Limited

    Liftback 2000GT Black Edition

    1977

    385 built

How to spot one

Look for

  • Early first generation: rounded bodywork and recessed headlight 'eyes' explain the Daruma nickname.3
  • First-generation Liftback: C-pillar louvers and vertical taillight bars earn the 'Japanese Mustang' nickname.4
  • Sixth generation: four separate round headlights give the nose its four-eyed face.520
  • Seventh generation: vertically stretched headlights and a hood air intake stand out at the front.11
  • Seventh-generation Action Package: clear taillights, a larger hood scoop and a rear diffuser.525

Year by year

  1. August 1972

    Flat one-piece rear lamps gave way to raised brake/turn-signal lenses; the fuel filler moved to the left C-pillar.4

  2. Early Liftbacks / 1975

    Early RA25 Liftbacks pair short noses with prized 5-element 'banana tail' lamps; emissions gear lengthened the nose in 1975.3

  3. 1974–1976

    Japanese coupes gained a flat nose in 1974; for 1976, pressed-in hood vents replaced removable ones and one cowl vent replaced two.4

  4. August 1979

    Second generation: four round headlights changed to rectangular lamps.15

  5. 2003

    Wider lower grille, sharper fog-light surrounds, all-red double-barrel taillights and a larger hood emblem mark the seventh-generation facelift.518

Don’t confuse it with

  • Photo of a Toyota Celica
    Celica
    Photo of a Ford Mustang (1969 fastback)
    Ford Mustang (1969 fastback)

    Ford Mustang (1969 fastback)

    Early Celica Liftbacks echo the Mustang's pillar louvers and vertical-bar taillights; look for the smaller-scale body.426

Against its rivals

  • Acura Integra Type R

    Celica vs Acura Integra Type R

    0–97 km/h lower is better

    Celica6.6 s
    Acura Integra Type R6.2 s
    14

Prices

Value today $13.0K–$37.3K253233

Price when newAuction saleValue today
$0$10K$20K$30K$40K 1990200020102020 Value today: $13,000–$37,250 1982 · $8,389 · US GT-S, listed base1982 · $10,534 · US GT-S, as tested2000 · $21,165 · US GT-S base2000 · $24,490 · US GT-S, as tested 2019 · $16,150 · 1994 GT-Four, BaT2024 · $13,400 · 1995 GT-Four, ~83k miles shown, BaT2024 · $9,000 · 1972 ST coupe, 7k miles shown, TMU, BaT2024 · $5,000 · 1981 ST convertible, 81k miles shown, BaT2024 · $15,200 · 1985 GT-S convertible, 73k miles shown, BaT2024 · $6,975 · 1987 GT liftback, 5-speed, 74k miles shown, BaT2024 · $8,500 · 1996 GT convertible, 5-speed, 114k miles shown, BaT2025 · $6,200 · 1996 GT convertible, 5-speed, BaT2025 · $9,000 · 1991 GT-Four RC, 80k miles shown, TMU, BaT2026 · $13,000 · 1974 ST 5-speed, 21k shown (TMU), BaT2026 · $18,750 · 2005 GT-S 6-speed, 24k miles, BaT2026 · $37,250 · 1994 GT-Four, ~74k mi, mods; claimed homologation, BaT $37.3K BaT, 2026
131425323334353637383940
Show the numbers
YearPriceAmountDetail
1982Price when new$8,389US GT-S, listed base
1982Price when new$10,534US GT-S, as tested
2000Price when new$21,165US GT-S base
2000Price when new$24,490US GT-S, as tested
2019Auction sale$16,1501994 GT-Four, BaT
2024Auction sale$13,4001995 GT-Four, ~83k miles shown, BaT
2024Auction sale$9,0001972 ST coupe, 7k miles shown, TMU, BaT
2024Auction sale$5,0001981 ST convertible, 81k miles shown, BaT
2024Auction sale$15,2001985 GT-S convertible, 73k miles shown, BaT
2024Auction sale$6,9751987 GT liftback, 5-speed, 74k miles shown, BaT
2024Auction sale$8,5001996 GT convertible, 5-speed, 114k miles shown, BaT
2025Auction sale$6,2001996 GT convertible, 5-speed, BaT
2025Auction sale$9,0001991 GT-Four RC, 80k miles shown, TMU, BaT
2026Auction sale$13,0001974 ST 5-speed, 21k shown (TMU), BaT
2026Auction sale$18,7502005 GT-S 6-speed, 24k miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$37,2501994 GT-Four, ~74k mi, mods; claimed homologation, BaT
2026Value today$13,000–$37,250

The rest of the story is in the app

The full file tells why each version matters, the legend behind the car and what to check before buying one.

  • Versions

    • Why each of the 11 versions matters

  • Legend

    • 14 stories from its legend
    • “TA64: three consecutive Safari Rally victories”
    • “Gurney's 600-hp Celicas take IMSA titles”

  • Generations

    • The story of each of the 8 generations

  • Market

    • 5 things to check before buying one
    • Where prices are heading, and why
Read the full file in SPOT

SPOT is free on iPhone. Full car files come with SPOT Plus.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to the source it rests on.

See all 40 sources
  1. 75 Years of TOYOTA | TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION GLOBAL WEBSITE | Vehicle Lineage | In-depth Vehicle Information, Specification toyota-global.com
  2. THE HISTORY OF WRC -Toyota has challenged to a great many roads in the world- | 2018 | SPECIAL | WRC | GAZOO Racing toyotagazooracing.com
  3. 50 YEAR CLUB: The Toyota Celica, a pivotal player in Japan’s car culture | Japanese Nostalgic Car japanesenostalgiccar.com
  4. Toyota Celica - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  5. Toyota Celica history - a groundbreaking sports car | Toyota UK mag.toyota.co.uk
  6. 75 Years of TOYOTA | TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION GLOBAL WEBSITE | Vehicle Lineage | In-depth Vehicle Information, Specification toyota-global.com
  7. Toyota Celica GT-Four (1988 - 1999) review – the forgotten Group A rally icon | evo evo.co.uk
  8. 75 Years of TOYOTA | TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION GLOBAL WEBSITE | Vehicle Lineage | In-depth Vehicle Information, Specification toyota-global.com
  9. TOYOTA INTRODUCES RALLY VERSION OF CELICA GT-FOUR | Toyota Motor Corporation Official Global Website global.toyota
  10. Toyota Introduces Newly-Remodeled Celica GT-Four | Toyota Motor Corporation Official Global Website global.toyota
  11. Toyota Unleashes a Celica Sensation | Toyota Motor Corporation Official Global Website global.toyota
  12. Tested: 2000 Toyota Celica GT-S Aims at Y2K Youth caranddriver.com
  13. Tested: 1982 Toyota Celica GT-S Highlights the Joys of Rear-Wheel Drive caranddriver.com
  14. Acura Integra Type R Vs Toyota Celica GT-S - Motor Trend Magazine motortrend.com
  15. 75 Years of TOYOTA | TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION GLOBAL WEBSITE | Vehicle Lineage | In-depth Vehicle Information, Specification toyota-global.com
  16. 75 Years of TOYOTA | TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION GLOBAL WEBSITE | Vehicle Lineage | In-depth Vehicle Information, Specification toyota-global.com
  17. 75 Years of TOYOTA | TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION GLOBAL WEBSITE | Vehicle Lineage | In-depth Vehicle Information, Specification toyota-global.com
  18. New Range And More Value For 2003 Toyota Celica - Toyota Media Site media.toyota.co.uk
  19. Used Toyota Celica (Mk7, 1999-2006) buyer’s guide: a great modern classic | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  20. 1994-99 Toyota Celica | Consumer Guide Auto consumerguide.com
  21. So Hot, So Cool: The Toyota Celica And MR2 Roadster Red Collection - Toyota Media Site media.toyota.co.uk
  22. Celica Blue Joins Toyota’s Sporting Spectrum - Toyota Media Site media.toyota.co.uk
  23. Celica Joins Toyota’s GT Greats - Toyota Media Site media.toyota.co.uk
  24. TOYOTA CELICA GT-FOUR ST185 - Toyota Media Site media.toyota.co.uk
  25. Original-Owner, 24k-Mile 2005 Toyota Celica GT-S 6-Speed for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $18,750 on August 22, 2026 (Lot #259,165) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  26. Revisiting the Toyota Celica’s 50-Year Legacy roadandtrack.com
  27. 1986 Toyota Celica IMSA GTO | Arizona 2014 | RM Sotheby's rmsothebys.com
  28. From Disney Star to Car Designer: The Remarkable Journey of David J. Stollery tbauto.org
  29. The Angriest Celicas | Dan Gurney's All American Racers legacy.allamericanracers.com
  30. Toyota Celica ST205 - Illegal Turbocharger k1ano.co.uk
  31. Details for Update (1.27) - gran-turismo.com gran-turismo.com
  32. No Reserve: 1974 Toyota Celica ST 5-Speed for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $13,000 on June 22, 2026 (Lot #248,880) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  33. 1994 Toyota Celica GT-Four for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $37,250 on August 26, 2026 (Lot #259,808) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  34. No Reserve: 1981 Toyota Celica ST Convertible for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $5,000 on July 6, 2024 (Lot #153,453) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  35. No Reserve: 21-Years-Owned 1985 Toyota Celica GT-S Convertible for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $15,200 on July 3, 2024 (Lot #153,120) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  36. No Reserve: 1996 Toyota Celica GT Convertible 5-Speed for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $8,500 on April 19, 2024 (Lot #143,827) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  37. No Reserve: 1991 Toyota Celica GT-Four RC for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $9,000 on January 30, 2025 (Lot #178,743) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  38. No Reserve: JDM 1995 Toyota Celica GT-Four for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $13,400 on November 21, 2024 (Lot #171,546) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  39. 1972 Toyota Celica ST Coupe 4-Speed for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $8,000 on September 11, 2024 (Lot #162,179) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  40. No Reserve: 1987 Toyota Celica GT Liftback 5-Speed for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $6,975 on June 24, 2024 (Lot #151,999) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  • toyota-global.com
  • toyotagazooracing.com
  • japanesenostalgiccar.com
  • en.wikipedia.org
  • mag.toyota.co.uk
  • evo.co.uk
  • global.toyota
  • caranddriver.com
  • motortrend.com
  • media.toyota.co.uk
  • autoexpress.co.uk
  • consumerguide.com
  • bringatrailer.com
  • roadandtrack.com

Photo credits

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