Toyota Celica Generations: From Street Icon to WRC Champion
Celica Chronicle - If you’ve ever caught yourself daydreaming about the golden era of Japanese sports cars, chances are the Toyota Celica raced through your mind like a turbocharged ballerina. Long before TikTok trends and electric scooters took over the streets, owning a Celica meant you had style, speed, and maybe even a poster of Carlos Sainz proudly pinned in your garage. Buckle up—mullets optional—as we cruise through the legacy of one of Toyota’s most iconic, high-revving machines: the Celica. Born from the visionary 1969 Toyota EX-1 concept, it evolved into a fierce rally contender that captured the hearts of automotive enthusiasts around the globe.
The first-generation Toyota Celica, bearing the A20 body code, made its debut at the 1970 Tokyo Motor Show. (Picture from: JapaneseNostalgicCar)
In an era when bell-bottoms were in style and disco ruled the airwaves, the Toyota Celica debuted with the A20 body code at the 1970 Tokyo Motor Show. This first-generation beauty, affectionately known as the Celica Daruma (yes, like the round Japanese doll that never falls down), came in three trims: LT, ST, and the spirited GT. The GT, not one to quietly sip fuel and behave, came equipped with a 1,600 cc DOHC engine paired with a two-barrel carburetor by Mikuni.
The second-generation Toyota Celica, bearing the A40 body code, made its journey during 1977 to 1981. (Picture from: JapaneseNostalgicCar)
It wasn’t just a car; it was Toyota’s stylish answer to the muscle cars dominating the West, but with way better fuel economy and fewer leather tassels. Fast-forward to 1977 and we meet the second-generation Celica, the A40. Produced until 1981, it was a little more refined and a bit less psychedelic in design. While it didn’t necessarily change the game, it held its own, setting the stage for what would come next—a generation that began to show its performance teeth.
The third-generation Toyota Celica, bearing the A60 body code, had engine options going up to a beefy 2,500 cc (the 22R-E for the code nerds). (Picture from: GridOto)
Enter the A60 in the early '80s, also known as the third generation. Toyota wasn’t messing around anymore—this version had engine options going up to a beefy 2,500 cc (the 22R-E for the code nerds). Suddenly, your neighbor’s Celica wasn’t just cute, it was a bit intimidating too.
The fourth-generation Toyota Celica, bearing the T160 body
code, produced from 1985 to 1989, switched from rear-wheel to front-wheel drive. (Picture from: Forums.Forza.net)
Then came the revolutionary fourth generation, produced from 1985 to 1989, carrying the T160 body code. This was the Celica’s “I’ve found myself” phase. It switched from rear-wheel to front-wheel drive (a bold move, like changing hairstyles before your wedding), and in 1986, Toyota introduced a version with all-wheel drive, powered by the ferocious 3S-GTE engine—a 2,000 cc turbocharged four-cylinder that meant business. This was the turning point.
The Toyota Celica ST165 GT-Four was an early model that claimed multiple stage wins in the WRC. (Picture from: GridOto)
Celica wasn’t just a good-looking cruiser anymore; it started dominating rally stages and carving its legacy in motorsport history. That all-wheel-drive monster bore the ST165 code, and let’s just say it became quite the dirt-spraying celebrity in the World Rally Championship. Its success wasn’t just a fluke—it was engineered to be a beast.
The fifth-generation Toyota Celica, bearing the T180 body
code, rolled in looking sleeker, rounder, and frankly like it had just returned from an aerodynamic spa retreat and produced from 1989 to 1993. (Picture from: en.Toyota-Club.eu)
By 1989, the fifth-generation Celica (T180)rolled in looking sleeker, rounder, and frankly like it had just returned from an aerodynamic spa retreat. This design wasn’t just for show—it made the body stronger without turning it into a heavyweight. The GT-Four version still flexed the 3S-GTE engine, but now added a twin-entry turbo and air-to-air intercooler to reduce turbo lag and keep things spicy. The result? Rally wins. Lots of them.
The
Toyota Celica GT-Four ST185 became a rally icon, driven by legends like Juha Kankkunen, Didier Auriol, and the mustachioed magician himself, Carlos Sainz.
(Picture from: Supercars.net)
The GT-Four ST185 became a rally icon, driven by legends like Juha Kankkunen, Didier Auriol, and the mustachioed magician himself, Carlos Sainz. In honor of this WRC magic, Toyota released a limited edition—only 5,000 units worldwide. Depending on where you lived, you could get it as the GT-Four RC, Carlos Sainz Limited Edition (CS) in Europe, or Group A Rallye in Australia. Same rally DNA, different name tags.
The Toyota Celica 'Carlos Sainz Edition' was created for the European market to honor the GT-Four ST185's victories in WRC events. (Picture from: CollectingCars)
But like every great action movie series, the Celica saga kept rolling. The sixth generation (T200), which ran into the '90s, continued the rally spirit with the ST205 version. It kept the all-wheel-drive system and added a viscous LSD, which—despite sounding like something you'd avoid at a rave—is a sophisticated way to improve traction. This generation was serious about grip and glory.
The sixth-generation Toyota Celica, bearing the T200 body
code, which ran into the '90s, continued the rally spirit with the ST205 version.
(Picture from: UltimateSpecs)
Then came the final chapter. The seventh generation (T230, or ZZT231 for the engine-code enthusiasts) waved goodbye to rally and hello to the street scene. It returned to front-wheel drive and sported a lightweight, sharp design with a 1.8-liter ZZ engine. It wasn’t about gravel anymore—it was about looking good on the asphalt and turning heads in the parking lot at college campuses across the world.
The seventh-generation Toyota Celica, bearing body
code of the T230 (ZZT231 for the engine-code enthusiasts), returned to front-wheel drive and sported a lightweight, sharp design with a 1.8-liter ZZ engine.
(Picture from: Wikimedia)
So, what do we make of the Toyota Celica today? It’s a time capsule on wheels, a car that adapted to each era while keeping its sporty spirit alive. From its humble Daruma beginnings to rally-dominating hero, the Celica didn’t just evolve—it transformed, generation after generation, while somehow staying undeniably Celica. Whether you're a fan of classic lines or turbocharged thrill rides, there’s a version of the Celica that probably revs your heart just a little. | -pn1SDLWDn8 |
And if you're lucky enough to find one parked with a For Sale sign and a slightly sun-faded spoiler, just remember—it’s not just a car. It’s a piece of automotive history. One with turbo whistles, rally dust, and a surprisingly charming personality under the hood. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | JAPANESENOSTALGICCAR | CLASSICS.HONESTJOHN.CO.UK | FORUMS.FORZA.NET | EN.TOYOTA-CLUB.EU | SUPERCARS.NET | ULTIMATESPECS ]
