The stock and trade here at Barn Finds are usually old cars that are, in fact, barn, garage, storage, etc. finds. But not always…Today we have a not-so-old 1980 Toyota Celica GT liftback that has, “just been sitting inside my shop” as the listing’s lone description states. There’s very little here to go on but let’s see what, if anything, we can determine about this Toyota version of a pony car. The listing was discovered by Pat L. and the Celica, located in Lake City, Florida, is available here on craigslist for $4,500.
This example is a second-gen Celica, offered between ’77 and ’81. Two body styles were produced, a liftback, such as our subject car, and a notchback which IMHO, looks like a completely different model. It’s a subjective call, of course, but where the notchback has a balanced look about it, the liftback, with its huge rear side windows and massive B-pillar looks more like a bathtub on wheels. While the notchback was available in both a base ST trim level and the more enhanced GT range, liftbacks only got the GT treatment. The seller adds that this 55K mile subject is, “in amazing shape” but that’s it for the sales effort. There are only two exterior images and both show a car with lots of shop dust doing a coverup so the true condition is not revealed. I spied a small dent/ding or two, and a missing wheel center but that’s about it. The add-on rear window louver is ’80s all the way!
I gather this is a non-runner as it’s not stated otherwise. The engine is a 2.2 liter, OHC, in-line four-cylinder affair known as a “20R” and good for 90 net HP. These are tremendously durable and reliable engines but it would be good to know for how long it has been sitting – and whether or not it will turn over. Transmission choices were a five-speed manual, the case here, or a three-speed automatic. A four-speed automatic, with O/D, would debut in ’81.
There are no images of the interior or a description, just this one of the instrument panel, ostensibly attesting to the claimed 55K mile recording. The listing here is peculiar for what little it says. It’s almost as if the shop proprietor looked around and said, “Hey, what do you know, I just noticed an ’80 Toyota Celica that’s sitting here, maybe I should sell it“. Is it the result of a mechanic’s lien, a long-lost customer-owner, or what? A back story would be helpful. Anyway, there is some collectible interest in this vintage Celica and if it checks out, as minimally described, and at this price point, it could be one to consider, wouldn’t you agree?
If it’s as good as the ad says it is,it should be sold in no time.
Gone.
Oh, man! That’s the first car (my mom’s) that my older brother taught me how to drive a standard transmission! She had an awesome triple-black, full louvers and such. What a fun, fun, fun ride!
I totally agree with you about a fun ride. A 1978 Toyota GT
was my car in college. I loved it !!! Good memories !!!
I had a 80 notch back the same color, consistent 34 mpg from the 20R 4 speed
Wow, what a car! I thought the magic rust fairy collected all of these for the great wrecking yard in the sky. 20R is one of the greatest engines, ever, period.
Good find. Just FYI the expression is “stock-in-trade,” – “1 : the equipment, merchandise, or materials necessary to or used in a trade or business;
2 : something that resembles the standard equipment of a tradesman or business;
‘humor was her stock-in-trade as a writer’”
Gone.
I admire Totoro’s for their engineering and longevity… but I must say IMO with its large black bumpers, that is the worst looking Celica model… butt ugly..😉
This car is 42 years old, how is that not an old car? And it is gone!
In 1978 I wanted to buy a new Toyota Celica when I lived in Virginia Beach, VA.
The salesman wanted to sell it at sticker price and I told him, no one but a sucker ever pays sticker price, goodbye. He then shows me that the Celica is the Motor Trend car of the year and I am getting a bargain at sticker price because other dealerships are charging more than sticker price since the car is so in demand. As I am walking out the door, he shouts, don’t go over to the AMC dealership and buy a car you don’t really want. You want the Celica.
He was right, I bought an AMC Concord which paled in comparison to that sharp Celica, in looks and in quality.
32 years later I finally did buy a Toyota, but it was the low end Toyota Yaris. A great car in terms of quality and no need for repairs, and it rode well for a small car even at speeds of at least 80 mph.
Guys like you buy low end cars.
Yeah, and the craigslist ad that featured the Celica was removed. Typical of craigslist.
The seller posted the ad and the seller removed the ad. What purpose would it serve to keep the ad running if the vehicle was already sold?
my first car was a 71 Celica ST. later I found a Supra in this body style [liftback] with the 6 cylinder crammed in the front, I think it was an 81. But it was on the biggest Chevy dealers used lot, it was silver and black and I wanted it BAD, however when I went to look at it, it was an automatic and I was in my late 20’s and that was a big no for me.
I had an 80 Celica GT. Not this body style which I don’t think looks good whereas the Sedan I had looked great. What a fun and durable car. It was still running great at 220,000 miles when my nephew wrecked it. It wasn’t especially fast but handled great and was a blast to drive. If you swapped out the 20R for the 22RE that’s in my 91 Toyota pickup that thing would have been very,very quick.
I remember now that the sticker price for the 1978 Celica was $6,000. That would probably be around $33,000 in today’s dollars.
had a silver and black auto, back in the 80’s. louvers were standard. fun car but the auto held it back, great car in MKE snow!!
Corona in a party frock. Hard pass for me. Appliances are for my kitchen, not ,my garage.