Even without the custom convertible conversion, this 1980 Toyota Celica would be one stunningly well-preserved automobile, but the ragtop just makes it all the more of a crowd-pleaser. I’ve seen a couple of these before with the droptops, but from what I remember the others were done by the Griffith Company and called a Sunchaser. This one is different, as it was made by American Custom Coachworks and the entire top comes down, whereas the Griffith models incorporate more of a Targa style. The Celica is in Cincinnati, Ohio, and can be found here on eBay, where bidding has reached $6,600 so far with no reserve amount set.
I found this photo of a yellow Celica Sunchaser with the top down to show the difference between the two, and while I like the looks of both it’s kind of cool that the car being offered here has a completely open-air concept. The numbers I could locate for the Sunchaser seem to indicate over 2,000 examples were produced, but the seller says that fewer than 900 of the ACC exist.
This one’s on the market to help settle an estate and is said to have only been a one-family-owned car. It’s also spent much of its time in a garage when not being used, with the body described as being straight as an arrow and displaying an excellent finish. It’s claimed to be rust-free and definitely looks the part from every angle we get to view, but the top doesn’t completely fit towards the windshield which the seller surmises material shrinkage might be the culprit here.
Nearly everything inside is just about as nicely preserved as outside, with a bit of warbling on the driver’s bucket being the biggest imperfection I could find with the seats. The Toyota is claimed to have been driven just under 50,000 miles, with the interior’s condition reflecting what I’d hope a car with this kind of mileage should look like.
The 20R engine is a 2.2 liter 4-cylinder, and if it’s been properly maintained there are likely years and many happy motoring miles left, as these are known for excellent dependability and durability. The seller is confident that his Celica is ready to travel cross-country should the buyer live far away, and even though it’s not exactly a popular time of year for most people to be thinking about a convertible I’m finding this one tempting. How about you?
These tops look like a bad toupee when they are up.
Lol .. toupeè top. ✂️ 🪞 💇♂️
NEVER put the top up.
Bald is beautiful.
Is there a good toupee look?
William Shatner, George Burns, Hector Elizondo (in “Overboard”)
Don’t forget Travolta was sporting nylon for some time! I like this car. Wig or wig off, still a lot of fun!
Looks like a 1981 front end, I never could understand why someone would butcher such a great car car.
Fun in the sun I guess. Those 22Rs are great little engines but that factory Hitachi? carburetor is prone to misbehaving for sure. the RE was a great step up.
Better once they were injected. Nice car otherwise, but i wish it still had the top in place as came from the factory.
Looks like it’s a 20R.Not sure of the difference.
Your comment is right on! 👍🏻
I really prefer the Sunchaser…
The Targa IS cool!
Awesome example but why the double rub strips? I think that looks horrible
I’ve had plenty of Toyota’s and aside from oil pan and pickup these were exactly what powered the 4×4’s.
I never experienced carb issues? They would not have been as good a wheeler as they are/were. Head gasket is what generally failed.
Retorqueing head was part of maintenance.
I don’t know about the head gasket. My experience with my 78 Celica and the 20R engine did not include any head gasket issues. Could be idiosyncratic, but I bought it with 100K miles and put another 100K on it with nary an issue of that sort.
When you wind them up all the time and thrash as I did, a retorque was needed. Also helicoiled more than one 20/22R exhaust manifold in my day.
Notorious for exhaust leaks and as an ignorant 16 I learned the hard way,
do not tighten bolts into aluminum when motor is hot!
Don’t get me wrong, I love Toyotas and if this was a hardtop I would be interested. Still have 3 Tundras and a Sequoia, I have been a believer for close to 50 years.
Why are the wheels different? The side shot that says “Toyota Celica Sunchaser” has much cooler wheels than the other pics. I had an ’80 Celica GT. White on white with a 4 speed and sunroof. Loved that car!
The sunchaser with mini lite wheels is NOT the car for sale. Just an example.
Just had to ruin it with the tacky mouldings down the sides UHH !!
I have one of these in my garage in California it’s a coach built 1981 Toyota celica gt but somewhere throughout the years when my father bought the car in the 90s the frame to the rag top got lost. So it’s just a cut top celica with a cover for the rag top area. I’m looking forward to building the car like 1990’s euro lowriders with wire wheels and hydraulics.
Noooooooooooooooooo don’t do it!!!!!!!!!