1986 Toyota Celica GT
I can't say I actually feel Car Lust towards this scabby 1986 Toyota Celica GT--it's probably more like Car Love. Or, at the very least, Car Affection. It's the sort of feeling reserved not for your first love, or your first crush--those are more intense emotions--but the gentle fondness that you feel for your first girlfriend or boyfriend.
You see, this Celica was my first car. Not the first car I drove regularly, but the first car to be owned and driven exclusively by me. Because of that, and the fact that it was such a trustworthy companion, it holds a special place in my heart and first nurtured in me the love of nondescript older cars. The Celica was also my first hands-on experience with the beauty and majesty of a hatchback.
I bought the Celica from a co-worker for the princely sum of $900, expecting basic transportation and nothing more. You see, I had never really given Celicas much thought before. Within the great pool of 1980s and 1990s Japanese sports coupes, a group that included the Mazda MX-6, Mitsubishi Starion, Ford Probe, Isuzu Impulse, Mitsubishi Eclipse, Subaru XT, and Honda Prelude, the various breeds of Celica were rather unremarkable. They weren't the prettiest, ugliest, slowest, fastest, most agile, or most ham-handed. They weren't great, and they weren't abjectly awful. With the possible exception of the All-Trac Turbo, Celicas were the closest thing to a generic, house-brand sports coupe.
However, age has a way of adding character, and I found my Celica to be pretty endearing. Its scabby paint job, tacky 1977-era brown striped upholstery and dark brown plastic trim were ugly enough to give it some shaggy-dog appeal. It had some minor damage to the right-front fender, and the passenger's-side hidden headlight was recalcitrant and needed a solid whack with your fist to open. The car's previous owner had a fondness for (ugh!) bumper stickers. I scraped off the "I (heart) Beads!" sticker, but wasn't able to get a purchase on the "Question Reality" sticker.
Despite knackered shocks, the Celica was still the most fun beater I've ever driven--it had solid, responsive steering, and enough agility to make twisty roads fun. Still, the GT designation was a bit of a misnomer. The GT had the same 120-horsepower engine as the base model, and didn't have the grunt of the upmarket GT-S. By the standards of a $900 car, though, the Celica felt pretty fast, and could turn the 0-60 sprint in roughly 9 seconds (timed, naturally, by my own stopwatch). It also got great mileage; combined with the $0.75/gallon price of gas in North Carolina in 1998, driving the Celica was virtually free.
Unfortunately, after six blissful months with the Celica, we were torn asunder. A 16-year-old girl, who had only had her license for two weeks and was driving her father's 1985 Toyota Supra without permission, was turning left at an intersection, thought she had a green arrow, and didn't notice me driving through the intersection. She pulled out, and her Supra's front corner scraped down the driver's side of my Celica. After this little bit of inter-Toyota warfare, her Supra was left with a chipped bumper. At first glance, the Celica looked nearly as unharmed, but upon closer inspection it was clear that her bumper had caught my front wheel. Since my two front wheels were left pointing in different directions, something fundamental was obviously broken. It's not hard to total a car that isn't worth much, and that did the trick.
Financially, the deal actually worked out quite well. After initially paying $900 for the car, the girl's insurance reimbursed me $1,500 when they totaled out my car. Still, a $600 profit is poor reward for the loss of a good automotive friend. There's something very painful about seeing your first car in a junkyard, awaiting its fate, and thinking about it now leaves me surprisingly emotional.
--Chris H.
mochi mochi on March 19, 2008 at 12:48 PM
The styling of the 86 Celica Hatchback (4th Generation) was a huge step forward for Toyota. The 1st generation was cute - like a mini-mustang - but until the 4th Gen came out styling was pretty rough. One of the things I particularly like about the 4th Gen is the amount of glass. It is a very transparent clean looking car with nicely integrated lines. Later versions of the Celica pushed the image of a fast car - and some really were/are. But the nice thing about the 4th Gen is that it is understated. It does not try to look like a 500 hp bullet. It looks like what it is, a nice little sports coupe, that is a good solid all around car.
mochi mochi on March 19, 2008 at 12:52 PM
Seeing a favorite car "go away" is very very hard. We get attached in important ways.
Nathan of Brainfertilizer Fame on March 20, 2008 at 12:03 PM
They weren't the prettiest, ugliest, slowest, fastest, most agile, or most ham-handed. They weren't great, and they weren't abjectly awful.
That's pretty much my view of Toyotas in general. As I'm fond of saying, "The best way you can describe any Toyota is: It's good enough. And that's about it."
Anthony Cagle on March 24, 2008 at 03:08 PM
Musta been that same 16-year old girl that totaled my Mustang for me.
Hint on removing stickers: peanut butter. My then-GF thought I was nuts smearing PB all over a couple of bumper stickers, but she felt nothing but awe after they slid right off.
matt burkett on April 08, 2008 at 10:55 PM
Ran out of gas in my 86 celica. Now I cant get it to start. Any ideas
Blacksmith on May 14, 2008 at 05:52 PM
I still drive my blue '89 notchback GT. Wonderful machines, near enough to bulletproof as you could ever hope. Even managed to take it to an autocross SCCA training day; after listening to a friend with a Pontiac GTP lightly mock my car for a few years, it was gratifying to see the grins he got from driving the Celica at the event while his car was sidelined.
Jeff Davis on June 19, 2008 at 08:48 PM
My very 1st car was a blue 1986 Toyota Celica GT liftback. I purchased it new my Sophomore year of college with the money I had saved from cutting lawns. It cost me $13,000.
I vividly remember the days leading up to the delivery of that magnificent automobile. I had done my homework and the Celica was not only a very competent, reliable machine but arguably one of the best-looking cars on the road. That distinctive Coke-bottle shape and wraparound rear window were very cutting-edge in their day and I can recall reading how engineers endured many a sleepless night figuring the logistics of the concave side panels.
1986 was not a good year for the domestic automobile industry. Neither were the years leading up to it. As memory serves, the only GM offerings that were remotely sporty were the Buick Somerset Regal and something equally mundane by Oldsmobile. Besides, my mother owned a 1980 Camaro Berlinetta that, while gorgeous, confirmed everyone's belief that GM was a quality nightmare. That, coupled with the fact that my older brother owned an '82 Celica that was the picture of reliability, left little doubt that my hard-earned money was going to be spent on something that was made in Japan. There was still quite a bit of bad sentiment about buying foreign but as far as I was concerned, it was my money and I didn't care WHERE it was built so long as it was built WELL.
The only other car I seriously considered (the Nisson 240Z, while sharp, was rear-wheel drive & I needed something that would effectively tackle Northeast Ohio winters) was the newly restyled Honda Accord coupe. Great car...but the styling was dowdy and, to my way of thinking, more befitting a middle-aged housewife than a 19 year old college kid. If you saw these two cars together today, I suspect you would agree.
Now married, I traded that car 6 years and 150,000 miles later - the power antennae didn't work, radio reception was spotty and, having endured a major front-end collision, there were a number of squeaks and rattles...but it still drove beautifully - for a cherry red 1992 Celica. And while I've owned a number of cars since then, none has captured my heart quite like that stylish and dependable car that served me so well for so many years.
Mike G on July 08, 2008 at 07:56 PM
I am the original owner of a red 1986 Celica GTS. It has almost 200k miles on it - I keep it garaged and the paint is still shiny enough. Looks like new (almost). I love this car and have replaced many components over time. You can still see the imprint of my daughter's car seat in the back seat. She is almost 18 now and laughs at the thought of her driving this car around - with the image of the car seat that carried her home from the hospital when she was born - still visible on the seat. Should I tell her she was conceived in this very car some 18 years ago? Some secrets should be kept a secret I think!
jeremiah williams on July 31, 2008 at 12:35 PM
what is the biggest flaw with the 1986 toyota celica gts? how can this be fixed?
jeremiah williams on July 31, 2008 at 12:37 PM
what is the best way to "trick-out" a toyota celica without having to dig too deep in our pockets
jeremiah williams on July 31, 2008 at 12:38 PM
what is the best way to "trick-out" a toyota celica without having to dig too deep in our pockets
will on August 02, 2008 at 11:21 AM
hey i have an all trac version of the car and i must say it has bumped up the image of the celica for me dramatically, such a small car with such potential with a little elbow work to be an sti/evo killer is impressive by anystandards
Marc Risner on August 12, 2008 at 06:08 PM
I am a proud owner of a 1986 toyota celica gt-4. I shaved off the side panels of the engine compartment and droped in a 350 small block chevy!!!!! that was the fun part. the bad part was the tickets:-( It had a set of twin turbos with 15 LBS. of boost. Scary (I) know I also took out the rear seat and built a steel cage for the nitro kit I put on it. Three stage kit with 300 shoot per stage. there was no room for anywone except me. I put in a set of 15 inch subs in the trunk. 2 6X9's in the back and 2 6.5 in front. all JBL of course. Put a 6 speed aluminum trany, driveshaft, I made it an all weel drive car with 15 inch american racing rims in front with toyo tires and 17 inch rims with drag radios in rear. It does the 1/4 mile in 10.27 every time at around 201 mph and yes I use a parashout.
on August 22, 2008 at 01:48 PM
i am a proud owner of the celica's big brother (toyota supra) its an 85 and i have yet to see another car with 220 thousand on the original clutch and engine pull a 14.5 in a 1/4 mile so kutos to toyota.
danny on October 21, 2008 at 01:43 PM
so i own an 86 celica gt with the trunk and i payed $1300 cssh for it as the first car i purchased on my own with 125,125 mles on it, so far ive had it a year and ive put about 12,500 miles on it replaced the starter and thermostat and fixed the damage on the centerconsole where the radio would be where it looks like someone tried to break into it or just badly mistreated it. i like to call it my little go cart cuz thats how it feels when i drive it. almost the perfect first car for anyone, i know it was for me and i hope i can keep driving it for sometime to come.
Yaughn Deardorff on November 01, 2008 at 08:19 AM
I have a red 1986 Celica ST with 360,000 miles on it. It still runs like a new car, and is agueably even a smoother running car than my 2002 chevy silverado. It has its complaints to be sure,...peeling paint, bad rear struts, slipping clutch, a failing window regulator, my heater fan suddenly quit working, etc. But to have a car this old, still looking this good, is impressive. Toss a nice pair of 17" rims on this car, and its looks amazing. I drive mine everyday, 110 mile round trip to work and back. And this car acts like its a trip to the grocery store. The parts are everywhere and very cheap! I hope to fix this car up, and give it to my son when he turns 15.
kat on November 18, 2008 at 09:22 AM
i have a candy burnt orange '86 celica gt. its a great car! i love driving it. the tranny has 221k and the new engine has about 105k. i havent had any problems with it but since this winter came along..the heat hasnt been working and the defroster is tempermental. any ideas? maybe its the thermostat? not really sure
Josh on December 29, 2008 at 05:18 PM
I just bought a 1986 celica gt-s 5spd 3 weeks ago as my first car, the only defects is there is a power steering fluid leak somewhere that i am going to fix this weekend, and the rear bumper is kind of sticking out a little bit, i dont know why it wont go on all the way, and thats pretty much(oh and the cig lighter thing doesnt work) it. it has 186k on it and still runs like a champ. and has new tires and a new jvc deck with infinity speakers and new rear and front strut bars, its red and no peeling paint, all around really great first car in my opinion i love it. Plus it's pretty quick after about 4000rpm cause the "tvi-s" system(sorta like honda's "vtec".
Chris on January 14, 2009 at 05:44 PM
I'm still driving my 1986 celica GT that I bought brand new in February of that year, it's black and now has 368,000 miles on it. This was the second car I owned but my first new one. I only wish I'd taken better care of her over the years as she looks pretty rough(dents,dings,rust,etc.) I just never imagined I would still own her 23 years on. Even though I purchased a new Camry back in April of 2007, I just can't seem to see this car go. I really do prefer to drive her over the new Camry as she feels as comfortable as a worn pair of jeans or shoes. Plus all the memories through the years( trips, girlfriends, not to mention half my life driving this baby). I'll never forget the feeling when I first sat in this car in the showroom in West Caldwell, N.J.- It was love at first sight- I knew I had to have this car.
Well, now you all can see, I'm clearly in love with my car.
Tylera on January 25, 2009 at 09:19 PM
Hey! 86 celica gt is my first car too. we just got it this april/may
its in really awesome shape excluding the ripped seats, rusted out muffler and the reallllyyyyy dim head light. i love it though.
some old lady had it before us so the body is super good
Bob Ludgate Jr on March 03, 2009 at 01:46 PM
I own a 1989 Toyota Celica GT-S Liftback and I love that little car! I had a rebuilt GT-S motor and new clutch put in the car 5,000 miles ago and I am thrilled with the results. My car has new brakes,shocks,struts,radiator,alternator,and AC compressor too. The car has 148,000 miles on it but, with all the new parts in it, the car feels pretty new to me. I drive this GT-S about twice a week to work (100 miles roundtrip) and she gets me 30 MPG at 75 MPH! My car is light blue (with one MAACO repaint so far) with a dark blue interior. I let my son talk me into an aftermarket cold-air intake and cat-back exhaust and WOW is this Celica loud! My fiancee' like s the looks of the car but she isn't crazy about the noise! When I drive this car I feel like I am 16 again (which turns back the clock 30 years fro me!)but, I do get very odd looks from passers-by and sometimes from the police too! I bought this car from a used car dealer a few years ago because, I always liked their looks...and I still do! I too get attached to my cars (and I have owned over 30 cars in the past 30 years and when I have sold them, it always stings for awhile)and I don't want to part with this little Celica...at least not yet! I would like to find an All-Trac model someday and fix it up (and that's when I will be able to let the GT-S go, I guess!)as, I have heard that a suoped-up All-Trac can be quite the ride!
Celica love on March 13, 2009 at 02:24 AM
I have to say this i understand i own a 86 Toyota celica GT which have had now for 9 months. I bought it from a gentleman who was retired. He bought it from his friend whom bought it new off the toyota lot in santa cruz California in 1986. I was amazed of the selling price he was asking 750.00 for it. When i read the odometer it was righ at 111k miles. Which really i could not believe not only the mileage but the shape this car was in all stock. Nothing was missing and the motor was just like what the term celica means ....smooth gliding a natural zen feeling. I really understand the love for celica's i was raised with toyota celica's all my life growing up. My sisters all had them in highschool and my parents both owned supras and celicas. Now at the age of 33 this is my first celica. My plan is to have it painted the original color it a two tone bronze and brown. Thankyou for sharing your story.
Celica love on March 13, 2009 at 02:58 AM
I bought a 86 toyota Celica Gt liftback 9 months ago. Our family has been owners of celicas and toyota abroad since i could remember growing up. My sisters all had celicas and toyotas in highschool. I just wanted to comment here what a great story. I bought my Celica from the second owner its a california car born in Santa Cruz 1986. When i bought being the third owner i was amazed at this little gem, she had 111k miles on her and was all original stock nothing missing everything works, Cruise,air,tilt,Power mirrors,Intermint wipers rear and front. I was shocked that the gentleman was selling it for 750.00 USD. He was not a car enthusiast although he had 2 other vehicles this one was in his shop garaged for 4 years just been sitting. Last month tragedy struck with the loss of my 2S-E motor it Seized up and blew this is all on account to jiffy lube they forgot to put my oil pan plugg all the way on. When triple AAA came to tow me off the freeway to broadway toyota's dealership. The techs inspection proved that it was hanging by a thread. Jiffy lube has admitted to there faults since and had an automotive repair shop replace my motor with a used 80,000 mile 2S-E motor from a junkyard in california. The downside to this is i have no idea what car the motor came out of if the mileage is the true mileage ect. After getting my car out of the shop i noticed it was alot louder is sound quality and had some ticking, pinging noises. A week later the pinging became more profound, and it was blowing blue smoke out of the tailpipe burning a a quart 1/2 already in one months time. I do not trust these mechanics and jiffy lubes reponsibilty is to get me a compatible motor to the one i had. At this point i do not want to use there mechanic and want to find out the information on the motor which for some reason they will not disclose to me. I am wondering how i can this out? And need a toyota technician or a differnt mechanic to look at my motor. This really makes me sad. If you or anyone in this forum has some ideas on how i can find info on this motor feel free to comment back.
omar on March 31, 2009 at 11:31 AM
iam 19 and have an 1988 toyota celica gt convertible its a sweet car it just hit 58000 miles and has just one little scratch on it looks and runs like new .i love it
Cecil on April 12, 2009 at 03:13 PM
I have just bought a 87 celica GT convertible. Have not had a chance to real drive it yet. Seller told me it has 124,000 miles on it. It is red with black convertible top. Any ideas as to where I can find some parts for this old of a car? Plan to restore.