UPDATE 6/21/2023 – The seller has added more photos of this Celica. You can find them in the gallery below.
UPDATE – The winner of this Celica’s situation has changed and can no longer buy the car, so we offered to relist it. Be sure to take another look and place your high bid!
With summer fast approaching, now seems the perfect time to park a Convertible in your garage to prepare for some relaxed top-down touring. Droptops come in many shapes and forms, with some offering more practicality than others. Examples like this 1993 Toyota Celica Convertible are attractive for many reasons, not the least being that they can function as effective daily drivers as well as weekend escape vehicles. This one has sat for a while, but it runs and drives. Its needs are minor, and the owner feels it deserves a new home. Therefore, he has listed it exclusively with us at Barn Finds!
Toyota offered 1993 Celica Convertible buyers a choice of four paint shades, with this car wearing dazzling Super White. The color-matched factory alloy wheels and the contrasting Black soft top enhance the visual impact. The top functions as it should but is now missing its back window. Fitting a replacement window is viable, considering the top shows no evidence of rips or other problems. If the winning bidder wishes to throw caution to the wind, a complete replacement top retails for around $540, not including installation. If they plan on refreshing this classic’s paint, that path will allow the Celica to present in as-new condition when it emerges from the workshop. The body sports a few marks and blemishes but nothing justifying panel replacement. Peeling paint on the bumpers is the most obvious flaw, but it is a common occurrence that is easily addressed. The underside shots included in the gallery confirm this Convertible is rust-free, meaning returning it to its former glory should be straightforward.
Many people don’t associate front-wheel-drive with a sporting driving experience, but Toyota’s Fifth Generation Celica proved that this drivetrain configuration could provide motoring fun. It is powered by the 2,164cc 5S-FE fuel-injected DOHC four which sends 135hp and 145 ft/lbs of torque to the road via a five-speed manual transmission. The figures might sound modest, but with only 2,731 lbs to move, the Celica was an enthusiastic performer that could hold its own against larger and more powerful vehicles. Launched over the ¼-mile, it could complete the journey in 17.4 seconds. However, its ace is its fuel economy, with the ’93 Convertible capable of topping 30mpg in the city and 40mpg on the open road. This Celica hasn’t been used much recently, but it runs and drives. The owner says the clutch is sticky, which might require further investigation. The situation may improve with ongoing use, but only time will tell. I would probably budget for replacement, but it may not prove necessary. Otherwise, it may need little beyond a thorough inspection before this classic takes its rightful place on our roads.
Toyota was one of the first manufacturers to come to grips with plastic technology, meaning its interiors were less susceptible to deterioration than those experienced by other manufacturers. This Celica is no exception, with its interior in excellent condition for its age. It has no needs or shortcomings and no aftermarket additions. One of the disadvantages of owning a Convertible is that it is impossible to hide a substandard interior with the top down. This classic will cause its new owner no shame, with its two-tone Gray cloth upholstery in excellent condition. It is nicely equipped, featuring a driver’s airbag, ice-cold air conditioning, power windows, power mirrors, cruise control, and an AM/FM radio/cassette player.
The needs of this 1993 Toyota Celica Convertible are minor, meaning it would take little effort to return it to active duty to maximize the coming warm weather. It is a genuine all-rounder that is easy to drive and fuel-efficient. That makes it a hot prospect as a daily driver. Performing a cosmetic refresh is not essential, but spending next winter in the workshop applying a fresh coat of paint would make this little gem pop. The No Reserve auction could see someone take it away for significantly less than its current market value, making submitting a bid worth the effort.
- Location: Sarasota, Florida
- Mileage: 138,872 Shown
- Engine: 2.2-liter Four Cylinder
- Transmission: 5-Speed Manual
- VIN: JT5ST87K5P0144588
- Title Status: Clean
Bid On This Auction
TotalTrofeo bid $2,400.00 2023-06-27 11:03:37
Brandon Burck bid $2,300.00 2023-06-27 11:00:55- TotalTrofeo bid $2,200.00 2023-06-27 10:59:29
- Brandon Burck bid $2,100.00 2023-06-27 10:23:56
2manyvettes bid $2,000.00 2023-06-27 04:15:31- Brandon Burck bid $1,700.00 2023-06-25 08:17:33
phil45r bid $1,600.00 2023-06-25 08:14:18
Pzzaninja bid $1,500.00 2023-06-24 20:25:27
crabber65 bid $1,300.00 2023-06-24 19:46:48- phil45r bid $1,200.00 2023-06-20 10:48:50
Gerald bid $1,022.00 2023-06-20 08:18:49
Torqueandrecoil bid $222.00 2023-06-19 15:23:50
casimonsjr bid $100.00 2023-06-19 14:07:56
Miami white edition 🌴
Cool 😎 little car.
I did not see any VIN tags on the sheet metal?
I was prepared to be let down by this fun looking car, thinking it had to be an automatic. But that 5 speed is going to add excitement.
GLWS.
A great car to start with, great way into the hobby, you can drive it a lot, top down.
Nice car. Any info on timing belt change?
As a 50 y.o. man, this is right in my wheelhouse and the matching wheels just scream Radwood. At 138,000 miles, I’d definitely replace that sticky clutch and throw a timing service kit at it. Finally, have a body shop do a reasonable paint correction and then enjoy!
I am in Sarasota. Can I come see the car
Referring to the cost of a new top as “only $540” is both disingenuous and misleading. While that might be the cost for the uninstalled top, the labor is considerably more and the installation is far beyond the capability of even some “professionals.” I owned one of these 20 years ago and my insurance company paid over $3500 when mine was vandalized.
Thanks for pointing that out! We added that that doesn’t include installation. We weren’t trying to be misleading there, just pointing out the cost to buy a replacement top. The cost to get one installed varies based on where you’re at, so it’s definitely something to check on.
Great little machine. When gas is $8 a gallon 15 years from now, V8’s not already restored will be scrapped, this thing out doing parades and twisties in the sunshine of a late winter day. Although the massive plastic bumper covers will probably never look quite right, like all the 25+ years of auto makers putting out that terrible styling miscue. It was done for the insurance industry. Still. Aerodynamics can be attained without all that warping plastic / unreinforced polymer materials. But in due time, someone will resolve it and sell cars that last. But I’d definitely buy an old car with the plastic bumper guard. Nope. Nothing new. I don’t care who makes it, how fast, mpg or electric range. Disposable cars are designed. This isn’t one of those but it’s important to preserve some. Plus the mechanical engineering on this Toyota is stellar. Absolutely.
I was thinking of bidding on this car, as I previously owned and loved a Celica convertible but the fit of the front bumper cover has scared me away. In the opening photo we can see what appears to be a pronounced gap between the fender and the bumper cover. In all other photos it looks as if they were intentionally cropped to remove any close up or detail of this area, which leads me to think that the car has sustained front end damage and was not properly repaired. If this is not the case, please post detailed photos showing the fit of the bumper cover, not just to the fender, but overall as well. Thank you.
The reserve is off so the high bid over $2k will win it!