The Toyota Celica first appeared on the North American market in 1971, inspired by the 1964 ½ Ford Mustang at a time when the pony car market was beginning to decline. In 1974, a hatchback AKA “Liftback” variant appeared that drew more explicitly on late ‘60s Mustang fastback styling cues, and even went on to be Motor Trend’s 1976 Import Car of the Year. Given its looks, it’s no surprise that my own father, an American pony and muscle car guy, daily drove a 1977 Celica before sadly replacing it with a responsible family car (Chevy Citation) when I was born. This 1977 Toyota Celica GT available here on eBay in Beacon, New York is a time capsule example that is even the same color combination as the one I wish my dad had kept.
It’s amazing to see a first-generation Celica in such well-preserved condition as Japanese cars of this era were generally made of thin sheet metal that tended to start rusting when they were almost new. This one has no rust and only a small number of dings from its 96,000 miles of use. As mentioned, these bear more than a passing resemblance to late ‘60s fastback Mustangs, borrowing the roof profile and C-pillar louvers from the 1967-68 models and the quarter windows and forward sloping rear panel with three-panel vertical taillights of the 1969-70 models. It makes for a handsome and practical package, with the large hatch. Unlike many other cars of the era, these Celicas seem to wear their larger 5-mph bumpers relatively well. The dark brown body contrasts nicely with the dark grey-styled steel wheels and trim rings.
Like the exterior, the interior is almost perfectly preserved, being trimmed in a lighter brown vinyl that goes nicely with the exterior color. The seller states that the stitching on the passenger’s bucket seat will need to be fixed. A full array of instruments site behind a simulated woodgrain panel, though the tachometer is currently inoperable, and the original sport steering wheel has an aftermarket leather cover. The combination of the original factory radio and period-correct Coco Mats give this car a disco-era feel on the inside. There are some issues with the glass: a small crack on the windshield, and the passenger’s side window will need some work on the regulator to go down.
The engine bay is incredibly clean with the cadmium plating still present on most unpainted metal surfaces. Given this and the condition of the body, it’s hard to imagine that this car saw much, if any, winter use as road salt will quickly erode that type of hardware coating. In here sits a four-cylinder 20R engine which made 97 horsepower in 1977 models. This series of durable engines help establish Toyota’s reputation for reliability and were also available in contemporary pickup models. It appears to run nicely and the seller includes a cold-start video. Power is delivered to the rear wheels through a 5-speed manual transmission.
With just under 24 hours left to bid the price sits at $9,231.00 with the reserve not met. This is likely one of the cleanest original first-generation Celicas out there and the fact that the owner is upfront about covering this car’s minor flaws in a video should inspire confidence in a potential bidder. Could you see yourself behind the wheel of this “Japanese Mustang?”
I think that the styled steel wheels w/ trim rings and lug nuts are much more visually appealing than the generic plastic wheel covers we’re saddled with today! This is a real beauty and I’d love to have it! The new owner will be a happy camper! GLWTA!! :-)
I bought one of these years ago in primer black for 200 bucks. Great car, ran for years and was fun to drive. Was asked more than once at a gas station what year “mustang” it was.
Had that same 77 in a notchback. Same color which really shows more as purple than brown. Great car in it’s day – miss it.
Beautiful old Toyota. That interior condition is impressive. Looks good in brown also.
I had a blue one, with the louvers on the back hatch, what a great time that was, I still miss the car. 20R heads had bigger valves and more power than the 22R. Loved the 5 speed GT
This Celica sure looks to be in very good shape and even with the flaws. It seems very nice especially considering the age. I bought a coupe a few years ago off ebay that looked like my first car that I bought new. My first car was my most favorite car out of the variety of many I have owned since. Unfortunately the one I got thru ebay a few years back was misrepresented and the photos were photo shopped to make it look better than it was. It ended up not to be in as good a shape as the one here. A year later I lost my job and had to sell it at a loss due to its actual condition. Best wishes to whoever is lucky enough to win the bid as this one needs very little to make it top notch.
Takes me back to my youthful job of inspecting them as they came off the Ro-ro ship from Japan. Years later it is still easy to see the Mustang inspired design, especially the taillights which still mimic the modern ones. This is a really nice car, it is underpriced right now.
yes that right that true!
Did it sell? Had one years ago. Great cars!
No. Sale ended at $13,200. RNM. Very nice car.
When I looked up completed listings the dollar amount shows green which indicated it sold, not red which is used when an item doesn’t sell.
Steve R
I recall a friend of mine in high school had a early to mid 80s Celica. I don’t remember it too much though because his Dad bought him a 65 to 67 Mustang (don’t recall year), and that’s what I remember him mostly driving. But his Celica was the same brown color as this one. I, personally, like the body on this one presented here.
It’s also hard to believe that it sold for 13.2K. It’s just a 4cyl. NOT that I don’t mind. IN fact, I do like 4cyl. I have one right now. But after dealing with selling some of my cars with 4cyl engines that I collected over years, I found it hard to get rid of them even the one that was turbo 4cyl! But things finally panned out, thank God, and I found a guy who knows something about turbos and tuning – sold my fun turbo for considerably under what I paid for it. Guess that Toyota name can take a car a long way? Seems like Mercurys, Fords, and Chevys 4cyl engine cars have been my conundrum. I’ve sort of moved to old 4cyl pickups now. I’ll see how that goes?
This was my first new car purchase, same color but with hand painted tan pin striping. My only complaint was it needed stiffer lower springs/shocks, anti roll bar. I used to be able to remove my steering wheel and put my race kart in it and close the hatch.
I wonder why Ebay does not show it read “Reserve not met”? I thought that they used to do that? Makes it confusing. Anyways, the car deserved much more than it was bid up to IMO. The seller may have sold it outsde of Ebay after the auction ended?
I think the phrase, “winning bid” suggests that the Celica did sell.
Where did the listing say winning bid?
my first car was a 71 ST, lots of great memories.
later found a 197x supra version on a used car lot but it was an automatic….so i passed…
A few people I knew back in my youth in the ’80s had these, second or third hand, as first cars. They could pretty much take anything a high school or college kid could dish out and would keep on running.
I sold these new starting in 1979, the ST model was a 4 speed and no passenger side mirror, The GT was a 5 speed with the mirror, trim ring =s and a little nicer interior. All for around $6,000 new.
Had the GT sedan in the same color when I was 18. I still miss that car. It would fire up no matter how cold it got, and I live in the Midwest. Good memories.
I’m from the UK, this car was class when I was 20/21, I had the Datsun 180B SSS which was a nice class car but the Celica used to smoke it when we raced though town. I changed to the Alpha Romeo Sprint Veloce, thats left the Toyota in its tracks but as far as style,, the Celica was way class. Rust buckets at that time though,
Cute car.
In 1987 i had an opportunity to by the non hatchback version of this car or a 75 corolla from my boss at the time.
The corolla was 500 and the celica 700. At 28 years old and not being very phat with cash i saved the 200 snd drove the corolla home and ran the wheels off for 10 years and sold it for 1700.
Ah the great ole days when a dollar was a dollar