The 3rd generation (internally called A60) Celica was the final rear-drive chassis to
use Toyota's Celica name. The next generation used a transverse front-drive setup that has become a de facto standard for economy cars, but up through 1985 you could get a Celica from the factory with a longintudinal engine and right wheel drive. The A60 generation also added rack-and-pinion steering for the first
time and ASC (American Specialty Cars) were nice enough to modify about 5,000 of the coupe versions into a decent looking drop top. Find this 1985 Toyota Celica GTS Convertible offered for $5,700 in Phoenix, AZ via craigslist. Tip from FuelTruck..jpg)
The GTS convertible was the result of American demand for fun in the sun motoring. The Japanese factory could not justify re-tooling for a convertible version, so Toyota USA contracted with ASC to lop off the roof and add a canvas top. The result was a car with slightly less torsional rigidity but considerably more wind in your hair.
Powering the GTS is a 22R-E inline-4, rated at 114 horsepower and 140 ft-lbs of torque. The 2.4 liter engine was one of the biggest available in its class and produced tractor-like torque that gave better acceleration than the power figures would indicate. Mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox, the 2500 lb Celica be a decent driver.
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I like it, and I usually dislike convertibles. The conversion doesn't hurt the lines of the car one bit. The shriner cap for the folded top helps keep it clean-looking. These are also some of my favorite wheels. Manual transmission, AZ car. Good find.
ReplyDeleteAgree with Andrew. Very nice and some of the best looking 4 lug wheels ever.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteIt was bad enough that the Japanese in that day and age were cutting big chunks out of the roof for those 't-top' things, producing noises and squeaks and structural floppiness for...well, I think the last time I saw a 't-top' car with the panels out was about the time Clinton was elected.
ReplyDeleteThese were heavy cars, I'm guessing that if you got that car on a scale your supposed 2500lb number would be at least 500lb short. The engines were nothing special - a bit on the nasty side, really. The chassis was okay, but even if I were interested in owning one there's no way that I'd ever accept the structural compromises that go with the top being cut off.
I would note that, referencing my standard list of solutions, an LS3 would probably fit in one of these, of course in convertible form the first time you stomped the gas the left front wheel would end up a foot off the ground, permanently.
DeleteThe hatchback was attractive enough, the coupe just butt-ugly, the convertible too compromised by the ASC surgery.
Always wondered why these were not available with the Supra engine.
ReplyDeleteChebby
Because it wouldn't fit, and because the Supra was in fact nothing more than a stretched Celica with a big iron inline six, very impressive looking but it made a whole 145 HP.
DeleteThe Supra didn't become a separate platform until the Celica went wrong-wheel drive.
"right wheel"..."Rong wheel"....anyone wearing a Chnese queue?
ReplyDeleteWrong-wheel as in front-wheel, the wrong end from which to drive a car for most performance purposes.
DeleteGTS came with independent rear suspension over the live rear of the lesser models (GT and below)
ReplyDeletei believe you're new around here, fb6653ce-4e6a-11e4-91f1-5b5637cb23d8 - what is that, hungarian? - OK if we just call you R2D2 or something?
DeleteThese cars went through a special assembly line in the Toyota factory in Japan to add special bracing and other structural supports as designated for convertible conversion cars. After being shipped to the US, they went to ASC where more bracing was added before the roof was cut off. I have owned my 'vert for 10 years now. The chassis is pretty rock solid with little flex felt. The 22rec engine mated to a 5-speed won't break any speed records. However, of the four convertibles I have owned over the years, this RWD Celica Convertible with IRS is easily the most engaging and entertaining to drive.
ReplyDeleteI owned a red, 1985 Celica GT-S convertible in Phoenix. I bought with about 2,500 miles on it from Scott Toyota. It was stolen out of my driveway in the summer of 1986 and it was never seen again.
ReplyDeleteThankfully, our 1986 AE86 Corolla GT-S sedan was spared.