1972 Toyota Celica Barn Find - Parked for 20 years! 

Still a good looking car after 50 years and I love pillarless doors. As for other generations of Celica, I love the GT4s (gen 5 & 6) and gen 7 (GT in US and T Sport in UK). All these cars have aged well (design-wise).

You know your old when you know everything/more about a 70's car someone is just discovering. Brought back so many memories watching this video. What a find!!!

This car takes me back to my childhood in the late 70s. It's worth restoring, its a classic.👍

Brings back lovely memories…. I had FIVE of these back in the late 80s/early 90s. Gorgeous looking cars, styling way ahead of their time when launched. Wish I had kept one!

What a find and restoration! Want to see more of this one if possible.

A great looking car of the 70's, known for their strong 5 speed gearbox. And the GTV 2lt twin cam 3valves/cylinder (Yamaha) racing developed head was sweet. I drove the '76 Celica for 10 years before rust started getting out of hand. What I realized is most of the Celicas rusted because it does not have a watertight window seal (it has brushes), and that water ends up sitting at the bottom of the doors, etc. Mine which I started restoring (then the landlord sold the house and I put it in storage) has the 18RGU motor (2litre). Only 200 of those motors where imported into Australia, so fairly rare, as many put turbos on them and blew them up with a stock lower end. But I was amazed at the revs I tuned into it, and the torque I was getting, but found the head gasket had a mismatch with one of the oil holes. Mine has two dual-throat Solex carbies that worked 'perfectly', and extractors. The last model before catalytic convertors where made mandatory in AUS, with a sports exhaust, lowered springs, momo style steering wheel. My in dash clock started working properly again after 4 years of ownership when I went for a longer drive to the snow. The head cam chain in 10 years of driving never had to be adjusted at all (ie. strong/durable), and the gearbox had no wear at all. The diff started to have play in it, and was told it could be shimmed by a specialist. The rubber window strips with chrome bits where still manufactured/purchasable in Australia through Clarke Rubber stores. And there was someone still making the plastic blinker lenses and door handles I think in Singapore a few years back. Oh, and it is period correct to put an upgraded radio/stereo and speakers in them. Cheers all ! [Admin of: 'Classic and Used Cars Supporters Group' (on facebook)]

Old Toyotas are an addiction, fun hobby, small community.

One of the handful of classic cars I've always wanted. Sounds amazing too

where have u been

That’s dope. My first car (back in 91) was a 76 celica gt hatch back I got for $125. All it needed was a fuel pump. I fixed it in the guys driveway and drove it home. Man I loved that car. I’d love to get another one but they’re so expensive now for a project.

Dude got lucky you got that engine with it. Awesome ride. Totally jelly

Neat car, thanks for posting. I have a ‘72 TE27 with a pile of oldschool TRD parts from when it was 2tg swapped in 1990, so nice to see another Toyota of the same era.

Great memories... I learned to drive a stick in a 1975 Celica GT. I loved the synchromesh five speed. The factory suspension made for some exciting moments when going over a slight crest and corner. The Celica would swap ends under the right conditions but even with the low ponies could drift like a dream. I was waiting to restore that old Celica, original paint, no rust, garaged all its life, when my dad sold the car for $200. dollars. He wonders why our relationship is strained.

I want to restore a 77 fastback to make it look like the one my dad used to own. This video is too cool - we need more of this!

Rumor has it Toyota wil be reviving the Celica and I think styling queues from these original Celica's would be a winner. Your Celica has a great beefy look that is still timeless to this day.

Damn, 1st gen Celicas are the new hotness. Speed Academy, Sarah n Tuned, and Papadakis all building these at the same time. Are there any weirdos like me that like the dorky 2nd gens?

The 18RG is high on my list for the best sounding motors of all time. They just have the perfect twin cam, side draft snarl.

Ahhh seeing the back windows roll down reminded me of when I had mine… my favorite feature. ❤

I used to own a 1972 Celica GT 5 speed - I bought it in 1975 after the first new car I ever bought, a 1973 Chevy Malibu, literally fell apart. I traded it in for the Celica and it was the most fun car to drive that I ever owned. Sold it 1977 when I got married and needed a bigger car but I never forgot how much fun I had driving that little bomb. They were a great car!!

Back in the mid 80's I worked at a car dealership in Miami as a detailer. They had obtained a 1975 Toyota Celica that I absolutely fell in love with. It was a Long Beach Gran Prix Pace car. It looked almost exactly like the car in your video. It was white in color with the fender flares and the front and rear spoilers. It still had the original decals from the race on the doors. It even had the same rims that you have on your car. It was lowered with Pirelli P6's on it. It was an absolute blast to drive!!! It had a Ferrari type exhaust system on it and sounded great!! I tried in vain to buy it from the dealer. He purchased it and put it in his private collection. I managed to buy one a few years later, a 1976 GT, but I blew the engine and didn't have the money to repair it. So I sold it to a friend who rebuilt it and still drives it to this day. Celicas always hold a place in my heart!!!

I had a Celica as my first car and when i showed my dad he pushed the bonnet down and broke that hood lever immediately. I was like "haha don't worry bout it "(crying inside)

I'm planning in following all your progress with this great find. You won't disappoint people.

ONE WORD-BEAUTIFUL!

*Now -**_THIS_** is **_my_** definition of a coupe! . . .* What classic designs Toyota put out in these Celicas!!! . . . ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐🤙 💓🙏

Hits me right in the feels. My dad had a GT of the same year when i was a kid. He sold it to my uncle and he had it re done but sold it before I could buy it when I was of age.

Freaking awesome car, man! I loved watching this video. Definitely wouldn't mind seeing more footage on it.

Love this project! Probably my favorite 70's JDM muscle.

My dad had one of these... bringing back lots of memories. I can't believe all 3 kids fit in the back, we were 7, 10, 13 yrs old.

Wow that last 5 seconds! What a tease! Can you do a driving review of the car? So we can hear more of it?

Beautiful find and I really like your enthusiasm for the build! I had a ‘73 as my first car 40 years ago - a family hand-me-down - and I loved it ❤️. The gauges don’t look upgraded, they were exactly the same on my car, and you twist the wiper control clockwise to spray the fluid. I had a Cibie quad setup for headlights on mine too - nice!

I worked on these cars when they first came out in 1972 or 1973', forget which year. They were revolutionary, very light, quick, reliable and easy to work on.

At 6’5” I’d never be able to truly enjoy this vehicle, but let me make it perfectly clear… I am in love with this car. What a find!

Congrats and welcome to the 1st gen Celica family. I saw Joji helped you acquired this gem. Can't wait to see updates and upgrades on this car. Speed Academy, Sarah n Tuned, and now you with 1st gens.

I've got an '83 Celica Supra and seeing the ingenuity persisted from this era well through to my model is awesome. The seat belt and frameless windows are so cool. Glad you saved this beauty.

Back in 1983 my first car was a 1975 Celica with factory fitted GT interior ,it had the same front ,rear spoiler and hood vents thats on your car and spoked alloy wheels. I bought it from my brother in-law who bought it new ,he was a diesel mechanic and fitted a Triple K turbo suck through SU carburettor with water injection ,no intercoolers back then . Your vid brought back memory’s 👍😎🇦🇺

I have a '94 Corolla in pristine condition... to think this Celica is 22 yrs older is amazing.

My family is the original owner of a 1971 toyota celica. All the dash is oem. Such a beautiful car you found. Please make it great as you modify. Love your content.

Beautiful car, very nicely "sporterized". Used to drive it's rotary-counterpart, the Mazda Rx-3, which most certainly was based on Toyo's Celica model design-wise. Hat's off to you man!

Ahhhh my favorite generation of celica me and my family have 8 of these 2 coupes 4 liftbacks and 2 parts cars it's definitely a family affair happy to see you restoring this one its awesome!

brings me back to my 77 GT... thanks for the memories. my 77 had TRD springs. (for a 78 and required customization), Tokiko shocks, TRD cam, and Weber 32/36 downdraft. mine had the 20R.

Wow, what a sick find and awesome restoration! I really like the design of this generation of Celica (as well as the GT Four ST205), and the specs are pretty impressive for a 2 liter engine back in the 70s! I love Toyota.

What a save....love seeing older cars up and running. That Celica is beautiful.

I must confess that i love this car. I have worked in one so trashed out, without even having the best skills to do the work i was asked for, even persuading the client to go to another more skilled workshop, that i wasn't enough to restore it how it should be done. Looking the current state of the one in the video and the one of sarah, from sarah 'n tuned, i just feel pity for the celica i worked on. The poor car saw the hands of butchers all this time, I'm quite sure it was in better state when it was bought than it is now. It had a 4AGE swap that didn't run a shit, the car was just loud, not fast, uncomfortable to drive, the interior was unfinished an ugly, because the parts were stolen in another workshop. It had aftermarket gauges that didn't do it justice, because keeping the originals would simply looked better. The hood used to open funny, for some reason the joints were damaged. The chassis was in its way to get rusted... I'd like to find a not trashed one, to do a swap, fixing what it needs to be fixed, maybe learn a bit of upholstering if its needed, things like that, give it the respect it needs.

I owned this identical Celica in 1984. It was bright orange. I rebuilt the engine, installed a header with 2" exhaust. Did a emissions delete and junk the carburetor for a new 2 barrel Weber downdraft

That is an awesome find!!! Love the look of the car!!! Please keep us updated on it!

I absolutely love how those celicas look! I want to find one, or a late 70's Corolla SR5 coupe

1975 Celica with a 20R was my first car when i was young couldn’t kill that engine but it was a beast…..this video brings back memories…..

I love it, the TA22 is my favorite look out of the early RA23 and RA28s. This has just the right amount of patina and I love the fact you're keeping it somewhat period correct. I've got a 71 240z that is very stock and I am reluctant to modify it with flares etc. but it's similar patina / paint and minor rust to this car. As you say very usable with less stress driving it around and enjoying it.

I love the TA22, I used to have a 72 as well. I always wanted the 2 liter twin cam in it, looks good with the twin side draughts. They're so fun to drive. I love the coupe pillarless look with the windows down. In Australia all the manuals were 5 speeds with a short shifter, its heaps nicer to drive with the cut down stick.

I had a 74. I got it for 150 bucks and drove it for probably 3 years. I couldn't kill that car. Over heated it really bad at least 50 times. And hardly checked the oil. And it still purred like a kitten. Then i sold it for 150 bucks. Loved that car.

My first new car was a 1972 Turquoise ST (5 speed). Bought it brand new from a “non branded” Toyota dealer in Quesnel, B.C. Canada. Paid $3200 and change! This video brought back some great forgotten memories like the seat belt buckle holder and the gas filler fold down panel! Wish beyond wish I still had it! It started my journey as a lifetime Toyota/Lexus owner and driver!

It’s cool to see you acquire one of these timeless gems. I can’t wait to see more footage on this. Hope you have fun!

I fitted a diff from an AE86 GT in mine, the diff mounts need to be moved a bit, but it was a good option for a light weight LSD with disk brakes. It also worked well with custom hand brake cables giving it a factory feel.

I had a 1977 GT Liftback 5 speed with aftermarket dual side draft Weber 40 DCOE carbs, HKS cam, aftermarket header, Pacesetter exhaust. I swapped the rear pumpkin to a pumpkin from an automatic to step up the ratio slightly. Ran a MSD ignition system with custom cut Accel plug wires. On the front end I swapped in TRD springs & adjustable Koni struts, as well as custom sway bar mounts from aluminum billet blocks. I ran mostly Continental 771 tires on stock steel wheels that had been cut & widened 1 & 1/2”. THEN, I got married & sold the car....BUT, I managed to retain a 1971 Corolla with a 2TG, 5 speed, 4 wheel disc that is undergoing a slow, but thorough rehab.

Make a note here Pops. My rear axle pan hard bar actually broke! Keep an eye on that bar. My 72 had zero rust. Dont do a thing to that Celica. You have such a jewl there. Its incredible. Just restorevit completely as is. Sonso beautiful

Hey Steph, if you still need tires, just hit me up and i get whatever you want😉. Here in germany it's no problem to get wide 13",14" or 15" tires with a bunch of different thread patterns. Just comment the size you'd like and i take a look🙂

excellent car!! ive got a couple of those, had them for 22 years now. when i bought mine they were cheap and there was still a few of them around to choose from. not like that now.

I worked for Toyota GB when the TA22 Celica was current - the 1,600 GT, twin-cam was my favourite . A quick car, fun to drive, with well-sorted suspension, it's rear axle well-located by tubular upper/lower trailing arms, a panhard rod and coil springs.

That's a great looking car keep us updated on the build 👍

*Amazing find! Repairing old cars is one of the most expensive and fun hobbies out there. Imagine finding an old abandoned GT-R in the US? That's probably rare. Keep it up brother, love the videos*

Wow! Nice. I had a 75 GT. 5 speed. Just added beefy sway bars, low flow muffler and Vredestein tires. Handled like a dream. Miss that car.

I had a 1974 version of that car-my first car. Mine had a four speed transmission, but all the gauges that you reference there as aftermarket (jdm) were the exact same as what I was seeing. I had taken off my front door panels and recovered them in vinyl that I got from kmart, since the original material was falling apart. The back seat panels were ok though. They did move the clock in 1974 with an extension of the center console. It was on the right side on the bottom with that fake wood trim on the left. Fun car back then, I can't imagine what trouble I would have gotten in with twice the horsepower, as my car still drove an indicated 125 mph (a friend told me it went that fast).

I bet the family will be pleased to see the car back on the road. It would be great to see their reaction if you can take the car to show them.

Would be interested to see a dyno tuning of this with changing the jets etc

My dad and I are just about finished on a '76 Celica GT Coupe restoration (which sat for about 22 years) so it's great to see others restoring these nearly-forgotten beauties. Heck, if it weren't for these, we wouldn't have the Supra!

I love this model Celica, it's the first car I drove at 14 years of age. It had the 1.6 litre 5 speed manual.

Japanese pony car

Ra and Ta Celica's will always be some of the best looking cars ever made to me. Well done ... I'm jealous!

So proper with the 18RG. The music that comes from it could lull me to sleep. Great work bringing it into the sunlight again.

NICE! I HAVE A 1983 CELICA GT collecting dust in my moms garage! Watching this video makes me want to restore it! GOOD JOB 👍

A friend of mine drove his off a gravel road, down a 50 foot embankment into a river in 1980….written off. I have always loved that car….along with the Datsun 280Z. The glove box “ cup holders” were from the days when driven-in theatres and drive-in fast food ( A&W ) where popular. You had a tray for food and beverages while stopped.

Absolutely beautiful. Too bad later Celica were so heavily laden with plastic. What a great find, wish though the " friend" had more time to enjoy the car before his passing. RIP. Please God Bless and save their soul, Amen.

Them Fast & Delirious Kidzz today ain't know nuffins bout these old skool classics! That's one sick ride, bruh!!

Dude, that is Great that you have done this. Excellent. Explanation was fantastic, covered all. Thanks.

I've always loved Toyota's "Pocket Pony Car". Congrats on a great find!

I miss my 72 Celica. First car I ever owned and made lots of amazing memories in that car. I am a little envious ... Super awesome car! Have fin with it.

My sister had a regular '76 fastback. A buddy of mine has one of these with that engine in it. Thanks for sharing!

Very cool! Thanks for sharing and stoked to see more! Need to see that Rav4 go explore 🤘🇨🇦

Love love love that Celica. And had a real, honest laugh when you mentioned the hood vents (b/c they're an obvious copy of an American style, fake hood vent). Congrats on the new-to-you 'Yota.

Beautiful car thank you for sharing! I love seeing the classics.

I had many of these. I am feeling very nostalgic. Thanks.

Hello! beautiful car! mine is a 1974 TA22, I left the original AM radio, it looks great at night with lights on, on glove box I installed a AM - FM modern radio. Great rims! Enjoy that gem!

My Celica, new in the summer of ‘71 had 110 ponies, bought new in Canada so didn’t have to meet California emission standards. Sweet little ride, Toyota’s pony car.

I happen to love this little car. My best friend had one new in high school. It was definitely a fun car to drive and be seen in.

I really enjoy to watch videos of real classic car enthusiasts... Awesome job !!! congrats 👍

Stephan, I do enjoy all your videos! 17 mins seem like 1.7 mins to me when I start watching it. Keep doing it :)

Congratulations on your awesome barn find! I used to have a 1973 Celica and I imported the 18RG engine from Japan with four of my friends. We each had Celicas ranging from 1970 to 1973 all with 18RGs. Those were great times back then when the 18RG was a rare find and I miss the fun we had tuning our cars and racing each other. Due to marriage and two young kids I ended selling my car to my best man who still has it to this day. He’s babied it for 30 years only driving it on special occasions. The local Toyota dealer offered him 35k for his Celica, but he said he will never part with it. I hope to see more update videos on your 1970 Celica, and see what updates and improvements you make on it.

Joji is such a cool dude! Glad he helped you find this gem. Beautiful car. I just got a 77 liftback (one of my dream cars) I can't wait to get it restored

Great 1st gen example. I had a '77 coupe with a 5-speed manual. The fuel tank fill was on the drivers' side 'C' pillar behind the quarter window. I loved that car. I bought it in my early 20's (mid '90's), for $700.

Thamks for the video.! This brings back some fond memories of my 72 Celica. Mine was a powder blue ST with black interior. Loved the car,and was a lot of fun to drive !

Very nice 1972 Toyota Celica. 18RG twin cam, twin side drop carb. The best TRD racing parts. Now its Gold.❤👍🇵🇭

Had one just like this, with a white interior. My Dad found it for me in 1978, so I purchased a used 1972 with low mileage. It lasted until 1984, when it blew a head gasket. The bolts would shake loose in the engine.

Congrats on finding it and gonna drive it after all that time sitting, wish i still had mine, bought it for 300 bucks, 40 bucks in bondo in it, rain gutters for the rocker panels, 100 dollar paint job, but it got me to school and back and rallyed the dirt roads real good. Good times

The sound of a carburetor engine will never be surpassed.

Damn, that was a treasure find!! That sound of the carb + intake horns is lovely,

What a gorgeous baby. Gotta love this classic.

Before i watch the video i must say I don't have any interest in old Toyotas but when Stephen speaks cars every car guy should listen.

I had a 73 Celica back in 1993, the 18 rg was the engine to get Back in the day. I always loved the gear changes going direct to the gear box instead of cables ...

What an awesome find! That’s a cool looking Celica and love the stance…you found a great car.

Stayed all the way thru the vid just for that little pull at the end. Worth it. Also, please make more rav4 content i miss seeing yours