There exists a legion of cars that are rare but not desirable. The 1985 Toyota Celica GT-S Convertible is undoubtedly in this camp, although we have seen a few exceptional examples trade for strong money. The car shown here looks like it was parked for a time at an automotive recycler, as those stacks of cores in the background generally suggests it was dropped off for scrap but saved by a yard employee. That’s purely a guess on my end, but regardless, the seller is anxious to move on so he can buy a more desirable project. Find the Celica convertible listed here on Facebook Marketplace for $2,400.
When Toyota enlisted ASC to build it a drop-top Celica, it had already been through one round of convertible conversions with the Celica Sunchaser. The Sunchaser was a targa conversion, whereas the Celica shown here was a full-fledged convertible with a proper folding top. One of my favorite details about this oddball Toyota is how well the conversion was seemingly done. Credit is due to ASC for making this look like a production model versus one built by an aftermarket company. The car looks good with the top up or down, which is a rarity among convertibles, in my opinion, particularly ones not designed by the OEM.
When Toyota embarked on this mission, it chose to use the GT-S trim Celica, which got all the trimmings. The fender flares, fat alloy wheels, and numerous power options all came standard. What didn’t change, however, was the run-of-the-mill 22 R-E engine that was the same mill used in the trucks at the time. I’ve always contended the reason why more sporty Toyotas from this era aren’t particularly desirable today is because they relied too much on this utilitarian powerplant that was durable but hardly sporting. If you have a car that looks like a Celica GT-S, it needs to be turbocharged or otherwise have some indication the manufacturer intends for it to be a player on the sport compact scene.
The seller’s car clearly needs some love, with the most obvious flaw being the tired paint job. The listing notes the top is also done for, and I’m not sure how difficult it is to find replacement soft tops for ASC-converted vehicles (given how dominant ASC was in this space, I have to believe a shop out there is still supporting cars like these.) The trouble is this Celica is equipped with an automatic like so many other convertible conversions, and it takes someone who truly wants to own an unusual piece of Toyota history to restore it. With that in mind, the price asked here may be a touch too high for a rescue mission like this. Have you ever driven an ASC-modified car like this Celica?
I currently own a newer (1991) Celica convertible and it’s not my first! In my opinion, far superior to the Miata – and the power operated top absolutely does not leak or make wind noise! Have never had a “factory” convertible as nice as this!
I met a fellow at a party, back in the 90s, who introduced himself as a project manager for ASC, assuming I wouldn’t know what ASC was. I replied, “Oh, that’s the company that violates Celicas and Crown Vics.” (They were doing the 1/2 roof vinyl tops). He looked a bit offended.
I love convertibles, and wanted one of these when I had a 1985 Celica GTS hatchback. I always thought it would be fun to put the Sypra engine and body mods on one also, I happen to have a Supra collecting patina in Florida, but it’s a ways down the project list.
Caps or sometimes called Simcons was a way for ASC to print money back in the ’80s & early ’90s. ASC made stupid money on them – allowed the company to be poorly managed and still succeed. One “water cooler” game was to speculate what kind of jobs any of the senior executives were qualified to hold out in the real world.