This was my first car. It was blue with white interior. It did not have AC. I was based at Fairchild AFB and was a gunner on a B-52(G). I was married to my first wife and we drove it all over...much happier days. I'm 65 years old now.
I wish you live long and see even more happier days but must admit, our Toyotas are easily able to over-live us by far, have they received a fraction of care we provide to ourselves, even with these difficult health car days...
Bought a red 1972 Celica in Jan. of '72. Paid $2949 for it. Had it for 21 years. Needless to say I loved that car. Now have a '97 Avalon that is 22 years old.
@Jeff Williams Last week traded my '97 Avalon in on a Subaru Outback Touring XT because it had a CD player. My '97 Avalon had a 12 disc CD changer. The Avalon only had 45,000 miles.
Typical toyota they last 20 plus yrs with just basic upkeep. America never built a car like that ever. I know some yahoo going to posy about his gm.or ford lasting that long. But with toyota it is normal not a one off thing. Look on road when driving. I see old toyotas a lot. Not so many old American cars. Oh i own 2003 camry v6 xle 325k miles and everything still works and drives great. See at least 5 to 10 2002 to 2006 camrys daily in town. No not LA city of 250,000 people. Not that many early 2000s fords dodge or gm combined.
It handles like a dream. Driven 1982 carina and it was a precision machine. It was so simple to service that i learn to fix and service it myself after watching the mechanic once.
+B Fuller (Live4theApex) I was referring to the Celica. I have a first gen 74 Celica which I put an injected turbo 3T-GTE engine in from a 3rd gen Celica, which was available with this engine in 1982.
Jay is a good dude I met him years ago .I was with Travis pastrana and we were on the street in LA. He stopped talking to us to talk to a homeless guy. Very gracious and down to earth
I lived in So Cal 33 years and used to see Jay all the time at the motorcycle hang out " The Rock Store" Jay would show up almost every Sunday by 11am with a different car or motorcycle.....yes he's very friendly and personable.....and he always wears a jean shirt and blue jeans.
I love that vintage and classic Japanese cars are getting their due. I'm an American Muscle guy, but the Japanese cars from the 50s and 60s have a unique personality that I think deserves attention.
The basic turn the key and drive, set-it-and-forget-it typical of things like a ChevyII, AMC Concord, VW Beetle -type automobiles were so essential to a prosperous, mobile america. Interesting basic cars like the celica, 240z, B210, Toyota pickup were imports that fell right in that market area and started doing it better. THAT is the appeal of these: a job well done.
This was one of the cars that showed the UK that not all automobiles conked out on a cold winters morning. For the record, I think the 71 Celica still looks stunning today.
This was my second car. Took it over from my dad. I nicknamed it "The Green Dragon." It was just like this one, but had a vinyl top. Mine had a few modifications. The most noticable was that the driver's seat was broken and laid back at about a 45% angle. You got a really good view of the headliner if you put your head on the head rest. To see the road, I had to do a crunch, and hold it. Rowing through the gears doing a crunch was quite a solid workout, and even into my 50s, I had a visible 6 pack. Every once in awhile, someone at the gym would ask me about my old man abs, how I got them, etc.... and I'd say, "I used to drive a 71 Celica ST with a broken driver's seat." I don't think these kids ever believed that story, but it was true. --- I think it had 300k miles on it when we let her go.
Except he's wrong about fuel injection - I know it was in the 22RE engines in the 83-84 models, a generation before the 86 racing model in the background he said were the first to use EFI.
I had a '72 Celica. with the 18rc 2.0 litre and 4-speed. What a great car. It was reliable, sporty, economical, just did a good job of doing almost everything you might ask of it.
What a great car. The first time I opened the car's door at the dealership and closed it behind me, I was treated to a solid "thunk" instead of a rattling clatter. Everything in the car was solid and well built. What a difference from the domestic vehicles of the time.
. I had a 75’ Celica ST. Burnt orange. Base, manual steering, 4-Speed. 2.0R engine single OHC. 1rst new car purchase. Drove it to 300k+ miles in Mi. Great little car with Mi winter snow. The rear drive w/ rear snow tires and 4-speed tore up the road. I didn’t know the engine was originally Japanese truck engine w lotsa torque in 4th. I was doing 80 mph up a steep grade on a road trip to Fl, floored it in 4th and it pulled so well the guy behind me flashing his lights in a V-8 to move over or speed up couldn’t keep up when I sped up. That was when I realize the balance of the light Celica power to weight ratio. I was 23 @ the time. Kept it after I married as the winter beater. ‘DONUTS’!!
@@motorcitymanman7711 Something about the Celica that was special and unique, but accessible. There was also a similar throughline of uniqueness in all its iterations.
My first Toyota was a 1974 Celica GT, light green metallic over saddle colored breathable vinyl, with a 5 speed. My new bride and I honeymooned in it. I was in love with both of them. When we found that a baby was on the way 2 1/2 years later, we traded it in for a 1976 GT Liftback with A/C- a necessity in SoCal summers. That became a 1980 Crlica Supra, then a 1984 Supra, then a series of Toyota trucks. The thing that has struck me about each and every one was the reliability and quality. Toyota builds wonderful cars, and I may occasionally buy a Mercedes Benz, but there will ALWAYS be a Toyota or two, or three in my driveway
Helped my X wife repair her 1st Gen Celica, same color, identical. We had to replace the carb, this was in 1978, it cost 380.00 for the part. I could not believe it cost so much. Real fun car to drive, nimble and fast, a real get around in traffic car. The car was in good shape, it was in Texas so no salt. She sold it for 1,000 dollars around 1982.
I bought my 1971 Celica in 1977 as a sophomore in college. 2L Tan exterior with cream color leather interior. It was so easy to repair, everything done through the engine hood. The cheap parts were just a "junk yard away" I must have taken it apart and put it back together four times. The car taught me how to repair brakes, hydraulic, electrical, radiator. A lot of long college buddy trips speed shifting. I put 168,000 miles on it before a frame crack, rusted heating radiator and post graduate job forced me to sell it to someone who was rebuilding one from his and mine. Good memories
OMG! My first car was a 1972 Toyota Celica ST. I loved that car. When my husband and I married in 1977, we left the church in my Celica. Jay, thank you so much for the trip down Memory Lane. Even though you showed a 1971, the cars were almost identical. Now, if you have a 1977 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme with a Landau roof, my trip down Memory Lane will be complete.
My first decent car was a year old 1979 Celica notchback. Anyone who owned an American car back then knew that getting it to start in the morning wasn't a sure thing. The Toyota started every time. I owned it for 2 yrs, put 50k miles on it, spent zero on repairs, and sold it for what I paid for it, $3k. I didn't own an American car again until the late 90's.
First car was a hand-me-down 1977 Celica that my parents bought new. I loved that car. The exterior panels were typically Japanese paper thin at the time so it got lots of small dings, plus the interior plastics and upholstery were cheap and cracked/tore easily, but I didn't care. Drove cross country twice in it after it already had over 100K miles. That little 20R engine would just go and go. Plus the five speed was so smooth - I could shift it with one finger. So much better than the Mustang II of the time.
I owned a 71 Celica ST. I bought it from a co-worker in 1976 for $110.00. I fixed the clutch, added a bearing to the A/C and recharged it, then drove it for over 225,000 miles over all. Then I rebuilt the engine, added a new front clip, rockers, paint, and drove it another 30,000 miles before selling it. Simply loved it.
This was the first car my younger sister ever owned. She had it for five years, until it was totalled by an idiot in a Mazda pick-up (It was parked at the time). I gave her a 1/24th model of it for Christmas that year, customised to match hers. She cried when I gave it to her, happy that she at least have something solid to remember it by...
Awesome little car! Never had an issue with it. Also owned a Datsun 510, a Mazda Rotary Truck also lots of fun. And a Datsun 260Z. Great cars great memories.
As a 22-year-old HM-2 in Okinawa in March, 1972, I didn't have enough money for a Datsun Fairlady 240z, so instead, I bought the same Celica ST (even same color) drove it 10,000 miles around the island and shipped it back to the U.S. in May, 1973. I put a set of aluminum wheels on it with some expensive shocks, then drove it in Oregon for two more years, and finally sold it in July, 1975 when I went to Japanese language school in Tokyo. No real faults,. and lots of very lovely memories in that car.
Thanks for posting. Mr. Czaplicki seemed to be having a good time, and I thought Mr. Mochizuki was striking a great balance between super enthusiastic nerd, and a great listener. Really interesting. Where I used to work the manager had a Toyota pick up truck - probably mid 70's model. Routinely he would load it down to the axles with whatever needed to be hauled. Super reliable.
My buddy had a 1973 version of this car. It actually was very well built and fun to drive. Compared to horrible small cars made in the USA at the time, it seemed like something from the future. It was clear this was years ahead of any small car being produced in the US. Thanks for the trip down memory lane, Jay!
This car has very simple but clean lines. The front and rear design is handsome as well, even by modern standards. What a drastic contrast to the 2016 Toyota Mirai or the 2016 Prius.
+1400VID The only thing that even gets close to these clean lines is the 86, their collaboration with Subaru. The name of course comes from the AE86, essentially a Corolla sports coupe from the 80sThe AE86 was a favourite in drifting, and made more popular by an animated series
The A in AE86 stands for the "A" series engine, The "E" the "E" Series platform (chassis) 8 for 8th generation or restyle of the Corolla 6 Was a variant on the Chassis. Corollas began with the KE10 series, (K- 1200 engine) E chassis. Then the KE & TE 20 series, then the KE & TE 30 Series, Then my mind goes blank
The engines, transmissions and styling vary in some markets. Australian-spec wasn't generally as flashy as the American or domestic Japanese variants. The last 4K powered, rear drive Corolla in Australia was the KE70E, whose run ceased in 1983. The rear drive Coronas following in 1986, by this stage using a RWD version of the 3A engine. In an unusual model sharing agreement, Australian Coronas also used the Starfire 4 cylinder engine. A 1.9 litre 4 cylinder created by taking the 173 cubic inch Holden 6 cylinder and lopping the two back cylinders off. Not their best idea, but it did take a lot to kill one of those engines
You are absolutely right, each market/continent had/has different requirements with different chassis/engine combos. The R engines Toyota used in the early Celica's, (IE, RA20,21,22) The 8R, 8RC and 18RC engines were disasters regarding reliability, cracked cylinder heads, timing chain sets that wore out so fast, miserable heat based carburetor choke systems. Most were replaced under warranty or recall campaigns. I could go on and on. But Toyota learned from this fiasco laying money out for warranty repairs that they decided to get their act together and paid more attention to sound design and therefore less troubling reliability issues.
The experience of the 18R in Australia was very different. While not completely indestructible, they were very reliable. These engines even powered early Hiluxes, Hiace vans and some early Dyna light trucks. They did learn their lesson by making diesels readily available in Australian showrooms. I know American legislators have some irrational fear about diesel passenger vehicles, but for any four wheel drive vehicle that is used for what it was designed for, they're a huge improvement over some large V8 engine. Although the current Landcruiser 200 Series wagon is powered by a 4.5 litre twin turbo dielse, which ironically is more fuel efficient than the 4.2 litre 6 cylinder diesel that it replaces. It's ironic that many serious 4WD enthusiasts in America that have Toyotas will buy a front cut from Australia. This often gets them all the hardware needed for a diesel conversion, and often the added bonus of a bull bar attached to it. The difference between a bull bar and a roo bar is the roo bar is outboard of the front bumper. A bull bar replaces it altogether
I remember the priest I knew had one when I was a kid, I fell in love with this car even today 50 years later great car in the UK it was and is special really love this post.
When Iliving in Calgary (Alberta), after selling my factory-ordered `76 Mercury Monarch, 4 door w/the 351 and many other extras, I located a `73 Celica ST (18RC engine, 4-speed 'box) in a used car-lot. Must say, in those Canadian winters and w/o a block heater, even when temps dropped overnight at -25 f. it would still start! As it 'corners on coils' the handling was decent-even in the snow.. Anyhow, Jay Leno-I enjoy your sincere and down-to Earth approach and relate much to your likes and observations on things. TDC (take due care)
pmodd Well... I can understand being the first economical, or as they put it world car, and calling it a sports car, or the first Toyota sports car in the U.S., but the Sports 800 is definitely the same formula. I'm a second gen Celica owner, so I love Toyota's.
+Roller Bearing Crank I did watch the whole video... I commented after being done with the video, actually. -_- There were a few mistakes in what that guy said. For instance, fuel injection was introduced in the '78 Celica Supra.
My first car was an ST Celica with the 20R engine I drove that thing like a rally car had it 10 years till it caught fire due to oil leak. Went through 2 motors 2 transmissions and 1 rear-end. Lots of good memory's. Thanks for sharing.
9:41 Look under the hood! It's so simple & accessible! You don't see that in any modern cars. In those days, the owner could perform most maintenance & repairs himself with a few tools, a Chilton's Manual, some elbow grease, and some obligatory swearing! Today, the swearing happens when you're whipping-out your wallet!
The 2000GT was essentially a Yamaha engine and drive train with a Toyota design body. Just as those Peppy 3SGE and 3SGTE motors are a product of Yamaha. There's more to it about the 2000GT, but that is the essence of it.
I owned a 1981 Celica SE and I can say that it was very reliable. I bought it almost brand new with 6,000 miles on it and put over 125,0000 driving in the USA and Europe. It was a 4 cylinders, 5-speed, air conditioning, hatchback with lubers, and a very fuel-efficient 22R engine. I really loved my Celica. I gave it a lot of TLC.
Watched this video after I drove a '74 Celica 1,500 miles last week. Okay on the highway, but on back roads it really comes to life beautifully. Nice torque in low rpm, little whine to the transmission and no body roll. Absolute blast to drive, and nice sort of attention wherever you go.
This is my favourite generation for the Celica, both the GT and the ST look attractive, even today. While there are some people who like the *"latest cars"* and the *"latest gadgets"*, there are people who do like vintage cars and stuff. I'm one of those people. And it has nothing to do with nostalgia. I wasn't born until 1973, two years after this Celica first hit US streets. I don't know what it is. :)
+Jason Carpp I've worked on these a couple of times. The TA22, which was the model after this one in Australia was a capable little machine. There's even a "fastback" version, a hatchback meant to take its styling cues from the late 60s Mustang. There's a "wilder" version of the 18R that features DOHC, 4 Mikuni carburettors, and cross flow. That head was developed with the help of Yamaha. A later version even had fuel injection.I've seen them in black top racing, rally, and occasionally in drag racing. They weigh only slightly more than a metric tonne (2200lbs) which goes a long way towards explaining why they were such a capable car
+Mechknight73 G'day mate. Awesome! I've never owned a Celica, but I've ridden in them as a passenger. And I agree. I have a cousin who had a 1977 Celica when I was a boy. I believe his was a GT model, with the 2.2 litre 20R engine, and a 5 spd manual shifting transmission.
Toyota needs to bring the rear-wheel drive Corolla, Celica and Supra back to its lineup. Light (2300-2800 lbs), nimble and cost effective with a list of options (to keep cost down), not those packages they now force you to chose from. The Corolla and Celica can share a modified platform with the next gen Scion FRS and tC. Simply use the V6 from the Camry for a GTV6 Celica. Heck, they can throw the turbo 2.0 from the Lexus IS200t with a manual 6-speed in a Corolla and call it a GT-S like my 1985 USDM AE86. The same engine, pumped up to 300 HP, would make one helluva Celica GT-S. The FRS can even become a 2-seater, making it lighter in the process. They can even offer a convertible FRS too. As for a Supra, they can either source the inline turbo 6-cylinders from their new partnership with BMW. Better yet, they can produce a new, possibly aluminum, version of the 2JZ, which would help keep weight down. Toyota, call me, let's do lunch. I won't charge you for the first consultation.
Eddie a You know they have the fan base to pull this off. If only they stopped for a minute to consider this, they could have people knocking down their doors. Toyota reliability with the fun factor of their former glory days, who could ask for anything more? My original and unrestored GT-S just hit 280K miles and still going strong, that is proof positive of what was and could be.
+Mr Ol Skül The FRS in Japan is actually called the Toyota GT86, as a throw back to the AE86, and although I truly love the 1jz and 2jz, the motors are a little out dated and an Inline 6 just doesn't seem reasonable anymore for any automotive maker, BMW would seem to be the only exception because they make a very mean inline 6. But any new generation of Supra would have to be a V6 because that is what people in the US seem so understand.
+Son of a Zombie To appease the bean counters and satisfy those who want more power without the complexity of forced induction. Now, for those who are in the know, you will have the base & H.O. turbo 2.0's.
@@Arayig1982 I know. I bought the FRS at launch. It has a lot of Celica like elements. FT86 = Fa20 powered Celica 8th gen, revision 6. They should actually rename it Celica tho.
Ah, Toyota! I bought a 1971 Crown Deluxe with a straight 6, 2.4 ltr (I think) matched with a 4 speed standard transmission. Loved doing 4 wheel drifts! Gave it to my Mom to use for a couple years, and when I asked for it back, SHE WAS PISSED! Still have a 89 Corolla and a 2018 Rav4 Hybrid. Love them!
I had a 1985 Celica ST and absolutely loved it, put 186,000 miles on it with no issues in the ten years I owned it; traded it in for a Toyota Tacoma and drove that for a 100,000+ then bought two Scions with 150,000 miles each. 2005 Scion TC and 2011 Scion Xb and still have them both to this day.
+The Obsolete Geek I bought an '83 Celica GT in '83. Mine was white. Black was a $1000 option. My favorite car of all time. Nothing ever went wrong. Since that time, I'm partial to Toyota for reliability and value.
+cruyeda There's always the '84 model, from which the first generation Supra was based. They originally used the Crown 4M relatively unmolested, Successive generations added fuel injection, turbos, DOHC,6 speed transmissions and independent rear suspension. Strangely you can just about turn an '84 Celica coupe into a Supra just by bolting on parts
When I was stationed in California I bought a 1975 Celica ST (Canary yellow with camel interior) for $3800, I wanted to get the GT model, but I couldn't afford the additional $600... Seems like a small amount today, but back then it was a huge difference...
I owned a green 77 ST, just like the one in the video... minus the stripes. Great car. A friend's mother owned a tan-colored GT. Man, I lusted after that car. It looked like a smaller Mustang fastback.
I loved these little Toyota Celica's from the 1970's, we sold a few of them here in the UKand they looked just like a mini "Muscle Car" You could definitely see American influences in its design. I wish Toyota would make a Retro model based on this originaldesign. Much like the new Mustang, Challenger, Volkswagen Beetle (Bug) and the Mini.and Fiat 500.
Cool to feature this Jay. I remember my grandpa buying one in the late '70s, he loved it and bought a new one every 2 or 3 years until the day he died.
"...This was was the first sports car that Toyota built.." 14:46 !! Really? So, what about the Toyota 2000 GT, built from 1967 and featured in the James Bond film 'You only live twice'?
That green color is absolutely beautiful. Seems similar to some 1960's Mustang color options, so I guess the Celica really was influenced by the popularity of the Mustang.
The following gen Celica looked very similar to a fastback Mustang. VERY similar. I couldn't afford either back then but thought it would be fun to put a small-block V-8 in that Celica.
Had one many years ago when I worked in a motor dealership, took it in part exchange and I ibought it from the company. It was so far ahead of its time and a joy to drive .light steering good performance and solid build.Great car
Man I'd love to have this car... that awesome green with green, that brown they had with the rust colored interior was awesome too...the GT was a hero car when I was 16, looked like a smaller Mustang that really appealed to us high school age new drivers...still have that appreciation of this era of Celica.
Actually, at 17:53, Jay puts his foot into second gear, remarks how well the car goes, sees the cop ahead, lets off the accelerator, holds his breath as he passes the cop, looks up at the mirror to see if the cop turns his lights on, checks the road, then looks at the cop again, licking his lips. Cool as a cucumber, that Leno.
Great car with beautiful styling. My brother owned one in 1971. He told me he had three other adults in the car, and they were on the highway and he wanted to see what it topped out at. He got it up to 122 mph ! It was a gorgeous creation ! 1900 cc was a BIG engine in a small import then.
+charger master And your point would be what? People have raced cars with OEM manual transmission for decades. Driving a performance car with an automatic is like going to a four star restaurant for dinner and then finding someone has taken a dump in the middle of your plate. I’m used to manual transmissions and an automatic or a CVT feels like a car with a burnt out clutch. You step on the accelerator, the engine revs up and nothing happens. Ten minutes (or so it feels like) the car begins to accelerate. If you can’t master a clutch pedal and stick shift you shouldn’t be allowed to drive a car with a horsepower/torque ratio under 15lbs to 1hp/lb-ft . As far as I’m concerned, if it’s only available with a Auto/CVT, it’s not a performance car.
@@lokisgodhi you are thinking of very old fashioned automatics. All of the sports cars today, all of the supercars and all of the Exotics have automatic transmissions
The 7th gen was meant to be rwd but due to the American arm of Toyota leaning on Japan Toyota it was made into a fwd to try and go up against the type r integra . They should have kept the awd gt4 platform and made what would eventually become the gt86 a little earlier
+wrcgt4 I never heard that, where did that info come from? But I also agree, would have been nice to bring back the GT-Four especially since we didn't the 6th gen version GT-Four in the US.
Fell in love with this car. Had an 88 Celica I drove for 17 years till it rotted out. I now have an 04 in near perfect condition with a big spoiler, sitting next to its big brother 2021 Supra.
copperlocks1 eh... then again fuel injection, ABS, traction control, stability control all didn't exist back then or would have been very expensive..... we take for granted (myself included) how efficient a modern car factory can be with all modern tech to sell us a car at the same value as a 1971 Celica
+dunhillsupramk3 I think otherwise. Modern cars are unnecessarily complicated, down to dang annoying beeping seatbelt sensors. There's so much made electronic that you can't manage the modern car yourself, you have to go to the dealer unless you're really, really familiar with the car or you know a local specialized mechanic. Classic cars are pretty simple and straightforward, and deliver just the same as their modern equivalents in my opinion.
117khan i do like classic cars but its a good thing modern cars is safer and have all these tech... modern cars isn't as complicated as you think, everything is simple once you learn about it...
+Neil Reid Having lived through that era I can tell you for sure that rust had a sweet eye for Japanese cars first but in the end your right all of them paid the piper eventually.
Neil Reid Cool you have a few years on me, I live in the rust belt and it seemed like back then Japanese cars went first and the fastest but like I said in the end they all died a rusty death. We used to joke about vega's rusting on the dealer lot so it definitely liked American cars as well. Now it seems all makes rust at the same alarming rate here especially trucks.
I have a 1989 Toyota Celica GT convertible, almost 200,000 miles, that motor is quiet as can be. Fun to drive, and I get questions about it wherever I go. Very cool to see its ancestor, and that Jay Leno drove a very similar model
+Cody Poloway That's an interesting swap! I (and probably 99% of everyone else) would think of a jz swap before any other engine from toyota. The isf is a big hearty v8... gonna be quite the car when its done!
+Shikamoo P.K. I guess The V8 is shorter so easier to fit. I know the 6 cylinders can be a bit if a squeeze length wise in these. I was lucky to have a T series first gen which fits the 3T-GTE turbo with minimal mods.
+invinciblejets Nah it will be cool when it's finished; it will be wide body with beautiful paint and such. His goal is for it to be good enough that it could be shown at sema.
I finally got to see the man responsible for my first and all-time favorite car! Thanks Paul! I miss my 2002 Celica GT and hope I can take good care of my next one.
The design of the Celica still holds up today. I think it looks fabulous after 48 years.
I had a 76 that had a 22sr motor in it
@@halharmon1116 You were very lucky.
Hal Harmon best 4cyl engine ever
I'm not a Japanese fan but this car is awesome
@@dragospahontu Absolutely true!
Scotty Kilmer's favorite episode.
I was looking for this comment lol
@@alexm566 Nice to meet you, fellow fan.
I love these old Japanese models. Non-rusted examples are almost impossible to find.
@Odorous Smegma which is why we love him.
Revvvv up your engines !!!!
This was my first car. It was blue with white interior. It did not have AC. I was based at Fairchild AFB and was a gunner on a B-52(G). I was married to my first wife and we drove it all over...much happier days. I'm 65 years old now.
John Williams wow
I wish you live long and see even more happier days but must admit, our Toyotas are easily able to over-live us by far, have they received a fraction of care we provide to ourselves, even with these difficult health car days...
My first car was a Toyota Corolla sedan 1977. Treated it horrible and it still ran like a sewing machine.
Bet that B~52 is still flying
Thank you for your service, John!
Bought a red 1972 Celica in Jan. of '72. Paid $2949 for it. Had it for 21 years. Needless to say I loved that car. Now have a '97 Avalon that is 22 years old.
@Jeff Williams Last week traded my '97 Avalon in on a Subaru Outback Touring XT because it had a CD player. My '97 Avalon had a 12 disc CD changer. The Avalon only had 45,000 miles.
Typical toyota they last 20 plus yrs with just basic upkeep. America never built a car like that ever. I know some yahoo going to posy about his gm.or ford lasting that long. But with toyota it is normal not a one off thing. Look on road when driving. I see old toyotas a lot. Not so many old American cars. Oh i own 2003 camry v6 xle 325k miles and everything still works and drives great. See at least 5 to 10 2002 to 2006 camrys daily in town. No not LA city of 250,000 people. Not that many early 2000s fords dodge or gm combined.
Toyota quality from way back. No 70s compact lasted 22 yrs even parked, they rusted away lol
It handles like a dream. Driven 1982 carina and it was a precision machine. It was so simple to service that i learn to fix and service it myself after watching the mechanic once.
That guy is an impressive encyclopedia of Toyota knowledge. Respect!
I would double check his knowledge actually, fuel injection was introduced a lot earlier than the late 80's.
+Ben Davies Jay asked when it was introduced for the Celia, not for any car. he answered Jay's question correctly.
+B Fuller (Live4theApex) I had a 1983 Celica GT-S with the 22RE engine, which was fuel injected, so he did not answer Jay's question correctly.
+B Fuller (Live4theApex) I was referring to the Celica. I have a first gen 74 Celica which I put an injected turbo 3T-GTE engine in from a 3rd gen Celica, which was available with this engine in 1982.
+Calyn45 He is as fun as an encyclopedia too
Jay is a good dude I met him years ago .I was with Travis pastrana and we were on the street in LA. He stopped talking to us to talk to a homeless guy. Very gracious and down to earth
I lived in So Cal 33 years and used to see Jay all the time at the motorcycle hang out " The Rock Store" Jay would show up almost every Sunday by 11am with a different car or motorcycle.....yes he's very friendly and personable.....and he always wears a jean shirt and blue jeans.
@Miles Doyle
Very interesting post Miles, don't have time to read it all now but I will.....
I think it's the longest post I've ever seen! 😁
I love that vintage and classic Japanese cars are getting their due. I'm an American Muscle guy, but the Japanese cars from the 50s and 60s have a unique personality that I think deserves attention.
you desrves better do not hate japanese muscle!..
My family had a 1973 Datsun 610 wagon - lime green! It was a GREAT car! Lots of room, 40 mpg and ran 250k!
The basic turn the key and drive, set-it-and-forget-it typical of things like a ChevyII, AMC Concord, VW Beetle -type automobiles were so essential to a prosperous, mobile america. Interesting basic cars like the celica, 240z, B210, Toyota pickup were imports that fell right in that market area and started doing it better. THAT is the appeal of these: a job well done.
This was one of the cars that showed the UK that not all automobiles conked out on a cold winters morning. For the record, I think the 71 Celica still looks stunning today.
This was my second car. Took it over from my dad. I nicknamed it "The Green Dragon." It was just like this one, but had a vinyl top. Mine had a few modifications. The most noticable was that the driver's seat was broken and laid back at about a 45% angle. You got a really good view of the headliner if you put your head on the head rest. To see the road, I had to do a crunch, and hold it. Rowing through the gears doing a crunch was quite a solid workout, and even into my 50s, I had a visible 6 pack. Every once in awhile, someone at the gym would ask me about my old man abs, how I got them, etc.... and I'd say, "I used to drive a 71 Celica ST with a broken driver's seat." I don't think these kids ever believed that story, but it was true. --- I think it had 300k miles on it when we let her go.
I had a 1975 Celica GT. Two door. White. Five speed. 22RE engine. Loved it.
Man, Tim Mochizuki is a walking Toyota historian. Tremendous work!
Except he's wrong about fuel injection - I know it was in the 22RE engines in the 83-84 models, a generation before the 86 racing model in the background he said were the first to use EFI.
i love the vintage "non exotics" so please keep them coming :)
I love this car. I saw one for the first time at my apartment and literally fell in love.
I had a '72 Celica. with the 18rc 2.0 litre and 4-speed. What a great car. It was reliable, sporty, economical, just did a good job of doing almost everything you might ask of it.
@18:03 -Jay watches the mirror worried about the cop he just revved past. Very genuine expression there for a moment.
If you noticed, the car also has no license plate on it. The cops must have known it was Jay
If you notice the video ends with possibly the same cop car behind him
Yeah and how the Toyota guy says “scion is a value proposition... with less accessories
And they're not wearing seat belts.
Hahaha you know it.
What a great car. The first time I opened the car's door at the dealership and closed it behind me, I was treated to a solid "thunk" instead of a rattling clatter. Everything in the car was solid and well built. What a difference from the domestic vehicles of the time.
. I had a 75’ Celica ST. Burnt orange. Base, manual steering, 4-Speed. 2.0R engine single OHC. 1rst new car purchase. Drove it to 300k+ miles in Mi. Great little car with Mi winter snow. The rear drive w/ rear snow tires and 4-speed tore up the road. I didn’t know the engine was originally Japanese truck engine w lotsa torque in 4th. I was doing 80 mph up a steep grade on a road trip to Fl, floored it in 4th and it pulled so well the guy behind me flashing his lights in a V-8 to move over or speed up couldn’t keep up when I sped up. That was when I realize the balance of the light Celica power to weight ratio. I was 23 @ the time. Kept it after I married as the winter beater. ‘DONUTS’!!
Still true today
I had 13 of these throughout my life..LOVE THEM!!...I even made one into a convertible..
Had a 77, nice looking car but totally gutless.
I've owned 7 Celicas and 6 Tacomas...so, I'm almost there.
Soooo many great cars out there....why would u own 13 of the same model??
@@motorcitymanman7711 Something about the Celica that was special and unique, but accessible. There was also a similar throughline of uniqueness in all its iterations.
My first Toyota was a 1974 Celica GT, light green metallic over saddle colored breathable vinyl, with a 5 speed. My new bride and I honeymooned in it. I was in love with both of them. When we found that a baby was on the way 2 1/2 years later, we traded it in for a 1976 GT Liftback with A/C- a necessity in SoCal summers. That became a 1980 Crlica Supra, then a 1984 Supra, then a series of Toyota trucks. The thing that has struck me about each and every one was the reliability and quality. Toyota builds wonderful cars, and I may occasionally buy a Mercedes Benz, but there will ALWAYS be a Toyota or two, or three in my driveway
Some say Scotty Kilmer is hiding in the background this whole video
Cotty is the God of mechanics always present
who's man? : security stopped him at the gate but couldn’t get cuffs on him because of his flailing arms...
Jay was going to review a Jaguar but Scotty talked him out of it. Money pit!
@@anonmouse956 🤣🤣🤣
He yelled, “Rev up your engines!”
Helped my X wife repair her 1st Gen Celica, same color, identical. We had to replace the carb, this was in 1978, it cost 380.00 for the part. I could not believe it cost so much. Real fun car to drive, nimble and fast, a real get around in traffic car. The car was in good shape, it was in Texas so no salt. She sold it for 1,000 dollars around 1982.
I absolutely loved these old Celica's. It was so simple to reset the points, adjust the valves, etc.
Jay eyeing the cop at 17:58 O_o hahahaha
Ha ha, I missed that the first time. I know that look!
+Monty Waggoner then the cop followed for a bit :O
Jay kept eyeing the speedo too lol
The fuzz was behind him at the very end
+The World Of Pootermobile And they were driving with no plate..!
I think they get a police escort when they have no plate I have Sen it in another video of his
I bought my 1971 Celica in 1977 as a sophomore in college. 2L Tan exterior with cream color leather interior. It was so easy to repair, everything done through the engine hood. The cheap parts were just a "junk yard away" I must have taken it apart and put it back together four times. The car taught me how to repair brakes, hydraulic, electrical, radiator. A lot of long college buddy trips speed shifting. I put 168,000 miles on it before a frame crack, rusted heating radiator and post graduate job forced me to sell it to someone who was rebuilding one from his and mine. Good memories
OMG! My first car was a 1972 Toyota Celica ST. I loved that car. When my husband and I married in 1977, we left the church in my Celica. Jay, thank you so much for the trip down Memory Lane. Even though you showed a 1971, the cars were almost identical.
Now, if you have a 1977 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme with a Landau roof, my trip down Memory Lane will be complete.
My first decent car was a year old 1979 Celica notchback. Anyone who owned an American car back then knew that getting it to start in the morning wasn't a sure thing. The Toyota started every time. I owned it for 2 yrs, put 50k miles on it, spent zero on repairs, and sold it for what I paid for it, $3k. I didn't own an American car again until the late 90's.
Dont know what kind of American car u owned in 79 but never had any trouble starting mine even in frigid Michigan Winters!
Your right, American cars were not very reliable in the 70's
First car was a hand-me-down 1977 Celica that my parents bought new. I loved that car. The exterior panels were typically Japanese paper thin at the time so it got lots of small dings, plus the interior plastics and upholstery were cheap and cracked/tore easily, but I didn't care. Drove cross country twice in it after it already had over 100K miles. That little 20R engine would just go and go. Plus the five speed was so smooth - I could shift it with one finger. So much better than the Mustang II of the time.
I owned a brand new Toyota Celica LT 1600 5 speed in 1974 . A beautiful car!
i could listen to these guys chat for hours. Makes me appreciate my high school Celica's lineage.
I owned a 71 Celica ST. I bought it from a co-worker in 1976 for $110.00. I fixed the clutch, added a bearing to the A/C and recharged it, then drove it for over 225,000 miles over all. Then I rebuilt the engine, added a new front clip, rockers, paint, and drove it another 30,000 miles before selling it. Simply loved it.
This was the first car my younger sister ever owned. She had it for five years, until it was totalled by an idiot in a Mazda pick-up (It was parked at the time). I gave her a 1/24th model of it for Christmas that year, customised to match hers. She cried when I gave it to her, happy that she at least have something solid to remember it by...
As an UNABASHED Toyota LOVER, you made me smile for what you did for your sister. I've owned several Toyotas & ALL SURPASSED 250 K miles easily.
Awesome little car! Never had an issue with it. Also owned a Datsun 510, a Mazda Rotary Truck also lots of fun. And a Datsun 260Z. Great cars great memories.
That 260Z had carb issues......
That would be a sweet little car to own.
Yes, it sure was.
I want one as a second car
That Avocado Green is a bit off putting but otherwise a great car
@@210SAi I had a 1973 Datsun 610 wagon that was LIME green! It's a mental adjustment for sure. lol.
Vitality Massage my Aunt had a 70s Datsun Wagon as well school bus yellow
As a 22-year-old HM-2 in Okinawa in March, 1972, I didn't have enough money for a Datsun Fairlady 240z, so instead, I bought the same Celica ST (even same color) drove it 10,000 miles around the island and shipped it back to the U.S. in May, 1973. I put a set of aluminum wheels on it with some expensive shocks, then drove it in Oregon for two more years, and finally sold it in July, 1975 when I went to Japanese language school in Tokyo. No real faults,. and lots of very lovely memories in that car.
My number one dream car when I was a little kid in the 70s. I’ve never had the pleasure of driving one, much less own one but perhaps someday.
Thanks for posting. Mr. Czaplicki seemed to be having a good time, and I thought Mr. Mochizuki was striking a great balance between super enthusiastic nerd, and a great listener. Really interesting. Where I used to work the manager had a Toyota pick up truck - probably mid 70's model. Routinely he would load it down to the axles with whatever needed to be hauled. Super reliable.
The rear is styled really nice, I can't think of any current car that has neat rear end.
+Jagdtoq I agree. And the lines over the rear wing are quite flawless, too.
My buddy had a 1973 version of this car. It actually was very well built and fun to drive. Compared to horrible small cars made in the USA at the time, it seemed like something from the future. It was clear this was years ahead of any small car being produced in the US.
Thanks for the trip down memory lane, Jay!
My second car. Bought it used in the 80s. Brown with a vinyl top. Most reliable car you could ever own. Wish I still had it.
Old cars are the only cars Jay should be featuring.
Right on with this!
This car has very simple but clean lines. The front and rear design is handsome as well, even by modern standards. What a drastic contrast to the 2016 Toyota Mirai or the 2016 Prius.
+1400VID The only thing that even gets close to these clean lines is the 86, their collaboration with Subaru. The name of course comes from the AE86, essentially a Corolla sports coupe from the 80sThe AE86 was a favourite in drifting, and made more popular by an animated series
The A in AE86 stands for the "A" series engine, The "E" the "E" Series platform (chassis) 8 for 8th generation or restyle of the Corolla 6 Was a variant on the Chassis. Corollas began with the KE10 series, (K- 1200 engine) E chassis. Then the KE & TE 20 series, then the KE & TE 30 Series, Then my mind goes blank
The engines, transmissions and styling vary in some markets. Australian-spec wasn't generally as flashy as the American or domestic Japanese variants. The last 4K powered, rear drive Corolla in Australia was the KE70E, whose run ceased in 1983. The rear drive Coronas following in 1986, by this stage using a RWD version of the 3A engine.
In an unusual model sharing agreement, Australian Coronas also used the Starfire 4 cylinder engine. A 1.9 litre 4 cylinder created by taking the 173 cubic inch Holden 6 cylinder and lopping the two back cylinders off. Not their best idea, but it did take a lot to kill one of those engines
You are absolutely right, each market/continent had/has different requirements with different chassis/engine combos. The R engines Toyota used in the early Celica's, (IE, RA20,21,22) The 8R, 8RC and 18RC engines were disasters regarding reliability, cracked cylinder heads, timing chain sets that wore out so fast, miserable heat based carburetor choke systems. Most were replaced under warranty or recall campaigns. I could go on and on. But Toyota learned from this fiasco laying money out for warranty repairs that they decided to get their act together and paid more attention to sound design and therefore less troubling reliability issues.
The experience of the 18R in Australia was very different. While not completely indestructible, they were very reliable. These engines even powered early Hiluxes, Hiace vans and some early Dyna light trucks. They did learn their lesson by making diesels readily available in Australian showrooms. I know American legislators have some irrational fear about diesel passenger vehicles, but for any four wheel drive vehicle that is used for what it was designed for, they're a huge improvement over some large V8 engine. Although the current Landcruiser 200 Series wagon is powered by a 4.5 litre twin turbo dielse, which ironically is more fuel efficient than the 4.2 litre 6 cylinder diesel that it replaces.
It's ironic that many serious 4WD enthusiasts in America that have Toyotas will buy a front cut from Australia. This often gets them all the hardware needed for a diesel conversion, and often the added bonus of a bull bar attached to it. The difference between a bull bar and a roo bar is the roo bar is outboard of the front bumper. A bull bar replaces it altogether
I remember the priest I knew had one when I was a kid, I fell in love with this car even today 50 years later great car in the UK it was and is special really love this post.
Was the priest a molester?
@@mr.iforgot3062 of course he was
Did he ride you from the back in the back or in the back from the back ?.
Without a doubt one of the quietest cars Jay has test driven in a long time.
When Iliving in Calgary (Alberta), after selling my factory-ordered `76 Mercury Monarch, 4 door w/the 351 and many other extras, I located a `73 Celica ST (18RC engine, 4-speed 'box) in a used car-lot. Must say, in those Canadian winters and w/o a block heater, even when temps dropped overnight at -25 f. it would still start! As it 'corners on coils' the handling was decent-even in the snow.. Anyhow, Jay Leno-I enjoy your sincere and down-to Earth approach and relate much to your likes and observations on things. TDC (take due care)
One of MY FAVORITES of Jay's collection...
How is the 2000GT, or the Sports800 not the first sports car Toyota built?
+Mooselover1011 exactly what I as thinking
***** Well the sports800 literally has "sports" in the name. I mean that was literally named a sports car.
+Mooselover1011 It was classed as a Grand Tourer, not a "sporty car". I assume that's why it was never mentioned.
pmodd Well... I can understand being the first economical, or as they put it world car, and calling it a sports car, or the first Toyota sports car in the U.S., but the Sports 800 is definitely the same formula. I'm a second gen Celica owner, so I love Toyota's.
+Roller Bearing Crank I did watch the whole video... I commented after being done with the video, actually. -_- There were a few mistakes in what that guy said. For instance, fuel injection was introduced in the '78 Celica Supra.
I'm 72. The Celica was my first buy as a poor man . Great car for what it was
Funny I owned a cougar also.
Yes, bring back the sport in toyota. We want Rear Wheel Drive!!!
Toyota tries hard to stay away from fun these days. They wont even allow their cars in video games now. The GT86 tries---a little.
One of my neighbors has a yellow one just like this in his driveway and he drives it now and then. Runs like a champ! Makes me smile.
My first car was an ST Celica with the 20R engine I drove that thing like a rally car had it 10 years till it caught fire due to oil leak. Went through 2 motors 2 transmissions and 1 rear-end. Lots of good memory's. Thanks for sharing.
My 87 st also caught on fire. It still ran 160K miles from that point on, so there's that.
9:41 Look under the hood! It's so simple & accessible! You don't see that in any modern cars. In those days, the owner could perform most maintenance & repairs himself with a few tools, a Chilton's Manual, some elbow grease, and some obligatory swearing! Today, the swearing happens when you're whipping-out your wallet!
True, cars from this era were simple. Even new cars are just as simple, once you understand the electronics that is and what each bit does.
Explain that to all of the kids that work on and modify new cars. They seem to not have any issues
A Chilton’s manual! That’s old school
How is this Toyota's first sports car when Toyota made the 2000GT in 1966?
Yeah good point that was my question too.
+PuppetMaster 2000gt was available in the US. It was limited production though so probably why it's not considered first sports car.
The 2000GT was essentially a Yamaha engine and drive train with a Toyota design body. Just as those Peppy 3SGE and 3SGTE motors are a product of Yamaha. There's more to it about the 2000GT, but that is the essence of it.
??
ah ok.
I like the Celica Dragon logo.
I never knew what that was.
I owned a 1981 Celica SE and I can say that it was very reliable. I bought it almost brand new with 6,000 miles on it and put over 125,0000 driving in the USA and Europe. It was a 4 cylinders, 5-speed, air conditioning, hatchback with lubers, and a very fuel-efficient 22R engine. I really loved my Celica. I gave it a lot of TLC.
I had a 1981 Celica that I bought back in 1988, it was so reliable a little slow but such a solid car with no rattles.
Watched this video after I drove a '74 Celica 1,500 miles last week. Okay on the highway, but on back roads it really comes to life beautifully. Nice torque in low rpm, little whine to the transmission and no body roll. Absolute blast to drive, and nice sort of attention wherever you go.
And the steel is top quality. Very resistant to rust compared to other brand. I wanna donate my 1982 Carina to Jay 😄
This is my favourite generation for the Celica, both the GT and the ST look attractive, even today. While there are some people who like the *"latest cars"* and the *"latest gadgets"*, there are people who do like vintage cars and stuff. I'm one of those people. And it has nothing to do with nostalgia. I wasn't born until 1973, two years after this Celica first hit US streets. I don't know what it is. :)
+Jason Carpp I've worked on these a couple of times. The TA22, which was the model after this one in Australia was a capable little machine. There's even a "fastback" version, a hatchback meant to take its styling cues from the late 60s Mustang. There's a "wilder" version of the 18R that features DOHC, 4 Mikuni carburettors, and cross flow. That head was developed with the help of Yamaha. A later version even had fuel injection.I've seen them in black top racing, rally, and occasionally in drag racing. They weigh only slightly more than a metric tonne (2200lbs) which goes a long way towards explaining why they were such a capable car
+Mechknight73 G'day mate. Awesome! I've never owned a Celica, but I've ridden in them as a passenger. And I agree. I have a cousin who had a 1977 Celica when I was a boy. I believe his was a GT model, with the 2.2 litre 20R engine, and a 5 spd manual shifting transmission.
Did Jay say he got beat by Angela Lansbury (Murder She Wrote) in a celebrity race? haha
How's the trip going so far?
That might be a joke. He is known to tell a few here and there.
LILPAPASMURF97 awesome! I sleep like a baby in van and the weather has been perfect for riding, cool and sunny.
+CycleCruza Doesn't get any better than that! Stay safe!
+CycleCruza she's a beast with a stick shift
I've owned 3 Celicas and loved them all. Damned good car.
Currently don't own a vehicle.. I Still watch this show. Love the history..
Toyota needs to bring the rear-wheel drive Corolla, Celica and Supra back to its lineup. Light (2300-2800 lbs), nimble and cost effective with a list of options (to keep cost down), not those packages they now force you to chose from.
The Corolla and Celica can share a modified platform with the next gen Scion FRS and tC. Simply use the V6 from the Camry for a GTV6 Celica. Heck, they can throw the turbo 2.0 from the Lexus IS200t with a manual 6-speed in a Corolla and call it a GT-S like my 1985 USDM AE86. The same engine, pumped up to 300 HP, would make one helluva Celica GT-S. The FRS can even become a 2-seater, making it lighter in the process. They can even offer a convertible FRS too. As for a Supra, they can either source the inline turbo 6-cylinders from their new partnership with BMW. Better yet, they can produce a new, possibly aluminum, version of the 2JZ, which would help keep weight down.
Toyota, call me, let's do lunch. I won't charge you for the first consultation.
I like your thinking Sir!
Eddie a You know they have the fan base to pull this off. If only they stopped for a minute to consider this, they could have people knocking down their doors. Toyota reliability with the fun factor of their former glory days, who could ask for anything more?
My original and unrestored GT-S just hit 280K miles and still going strong, that is proof positive of what was and could be.
+Mr Ol Skül The FRS in Japan is actually called the Toyota GT86, as a throw back to the AE86, and although I truly love the 1jz and 2jz, the motors are a little out dated and an Inline 6 just doesn't seem reasonable anymore for any automotive maker, BMW would seem to be the only exception because they make a very mean inline 6. But any new generation of Supra would have to be a V6 because that is what people in the US seem so understand.
+Matthew Smith I've never heard anyone, that understands cars, want a V6.
+Son of a Zombie To appease the bean counters and satisfy those who want more power without the complexity of forced induction. Now, for those who are in the know, you will have the base & H.O. turbo 2.0's.
The 1977 celica is so beautiful
Now that Scion is gone, the Celica can come back! Rwd please!
silvenshadow
AWD option too. My GT4 is getting lonely
It already has, it's called gt 86
@@Arayig1982 I know. I bought the FRS at launch. It has a lot of Celica like elements. FT86 = Fa20 powered Celica 8th gen, revision 6. They should actually rename it Celica tho.
@@silvenshadow put a six in it and rechristian it celica supra too.
Ah, Toyota! I bought a 1971 Crown Deluxe with a straight 6, 2.4 ltr (I think) matched with a 4 speed standard transmission. Loved doing 4 wheel drifts!
Gave it to my Mom to use for a couple years, and when I asked for it back, SHE WAS PISSED! Still have a 89 Corolla and a 2018 Rav4 Hybrid. Love them!
I had a 1985 Celica ST and absolutely loved it, put 186,000 miles on it with no issues in the ten years I owned it; traded it in for a Toyota Tacoma and drove that for a 100,000+ then bought two Scions with 150,000 miles each. 2005 Scion TC and 2011 Scion Xb and still have them both to this day.
I love 1st gen Celicas. They are impossible to find in decent condition these days
+The Obsolete Geek For reals and people get upset when a restored one cost $12K, that's a steal!
+The Obsolete Geek I bought an '83 Celica GT in '83. Mine was white. Black was a $1000 option. My favorite car of all time. Nothing ever went wrong. Since that time, I'm partial to Toyota for reliability and value.
+Ali Ahadi I would think they would go for at least $25k
+The Obsolete Geek It's tough to find any 1971 car in decent condition.....
+cruyeda There's always the '84 model, from which the first generation Supra was based. They originally used the Crown 4M relatively unmolested, Successive generations added fuel injection, turbos, DOHC,6 speed transmissions and independent rear suspension. Strangely you can just about turn an '84 Celica coupe into a Supra just by bolting on parts
When I was stationed in California I bought a 1975 Celica ST (Canary yellow with camel interior) for $3800, I wanted to get the GT model, but I couldn't afford the additional $600... Seems like a small amount today, but back then it was a huge difference...
I owned a green 77 ST, just like the one in the video... minus the stripes. Great car. A friend's mother owned a tan-colored GT. Man, I lusted after that car. It looked like a smaller Mustang fastback.
PA2AZ It's called inflation. You could get a Corvette in the 60s for 4 grand. But people didn't have $15 as a minimum wage, it was closer to $2...
I loved these little Toyota Celica's from the 1970's, we sold a few of them here in the UKand they looked just like a mini "Muscle Car" You could definitely see American influences in its design. I wish Toyota would make a Retro model based on this originaldesign. Much like the new Mustang, Challenger, Volkswagen Beetle (Bug) and the Mini.and Fiat 500.
WOW - great idea! A retro Celica and. retro Datsun / Nissan 510 ... those would be way cool
Cool to feature this Jay. I remember my grandpa buying one in the late '70s, he loved it and bought a new one every 2 or 3 years until the day he died.
I still see these on the road in Thailand from time to time.
Jay and I see eye to eye...thin steering wheels and thin A-pillars. Miss that today on cars.
"...This was was the first sports car that Toyota built.." 14:46 !! Really? So, what about the Toyota 2000 GT, built from 1967 and featured in the James Bond film 'You only live twice'?
He even talks about driving the 2000 and shows a clip of it.
That green color is absolutely beautiful. Seems similar to some 1960's Mustang color options, so I guess the Celica really was influenced by the popularity of the Mustang.
Very definitely; another Japanese car showing the Mustang influence was the Mitsubishi 2000 GTO.
The following gen Celica looked very similar to a fastback Mustang. VERY similar. I couldn't afford either back then but thought it would be fun to put a small-block V-8 in that Celica.
Had one many years ago when I worked in a motor dealership, took it in part exchange and I ibought it from the company. It was so far ahead of its time and a joy to drive .light steering good performance and solid build.Great car
Love the way the front looks on this thing, simple but with lots of personality.
Thet shoulg have brought over theCelica gt 2000 liftback version. My all time favorite Toyota
"Ya drive some of these early cars, if you roll over your dead. But hey, don't roll over!"
Even in regular conversation Jay is a damn funny guy.
"If you roll over you're dead, but hey don't roll over!"
well, they might.
Man I'd love to have this car... that awesome green with green, that brown they had with the rust colored interior was awesome too...the GT was a hero car when I was 16, looked like a smaller Mustang that really appealed to us high school age new drivers...still have that appreciation of this era of Celica.
19:56 I love Jay's expression change from happy to annoyed as he realizes theres a cop behind him and checks his speed.
Cops probably got suspicious because he drives without license plates.
I loved this car from 1st sight.
John Hiram ....Me too...
19:56 jay notices the cop flying up behind. Did you get pulled over? Video edited pretty quick. Still love all his vids.
Excuse me sir....do you know how fast you're going? Oh? It's a early Toyota.....don't hold up traffic.
Another one of many cars Jay's driven without plates.
I saw that too. The quick zippy moves and follow gave the cop away.
Actually, at 17:53, Jay puts his foot into second gear, remarks how well the car goes, sees the cop ahead, lets off the accelerator, holds his breath as he passes the cop, looks up at the mirror to see if the cop turns his lights on, checks the road, then looks at the cop again, licking his lips. Cool as a cucumber, that Leno.
Very nice 1958 Chrysler that you have at the left of the 300 G, you should make a review of that car someday
Great car with beautiful styling. My brother owned one in 1971. He told me he had three other adults in the car, and they were on the highway and he wanted to see what it topped out at. He got it up to 122 mph ! It was a gorgeous creation ! 1900 cc was a BIG engine in a small import then.
God bless Jay Leno, I love his show.💯🤴🏿🙏🏿
As a Canadian hearing them pronounce Celica was really weird. Im sure Aussies will agree.
+mumbojumbo123456789 haha, do Canadians say SELL-EE-KA too?
Yea all my friends and everyone I know says it like that.
+Son of a Zombie We say it like that in New Zealand too.
+Son of a Zombie it sounded very strange to my UK ears too.
+mumbojumbo123456789 Then don't even attempt to pronounce ADIDAS...
Want to bring that sport feel back to Toyota? Start equipping cars with manual transmissions again. Duh!
lokisgodhi not all manuals are made for racing real race car and there standard transmissions are way different then daily driver manuals.
+charger master And your point would be what? People have raced cars with OEM manual transmission for decades. Driving a performance car with an automatic is like going to a four star restaurant for dinner and then finding someone has taken a dump in the middle of your plate. I’m used to manual transmissions and an automatic or a CVT feels like a car with a burnt out clutch. You step on the accelerator, the engine revs up and nothing happens. Ten minutes (or so it feels like) the car begins to accelerate. If you can’t master a clutch pedal and stick shift you shouldn’t be allowed to drive a car with a horsepower/torque ratio under 15lbs to 1hp/lb-ft . As far as I’m concerned, if it’s only available with a Auto/CVT, it’s not a performance car.
Corolla 2019 hatch, has a 6 speed manual 168 hp, 0-60 in like 6.2 seconds or something like that
@@lokisgodhi you are thinking of very old fashioned automatics. All of the sports cars today, all of the supercars and all of the Exotics have automatic transmissions
Well in America. As for the other countries they don't need to worry since most cars are stick shift.
They should have left it rear wheel drive....
The 7th gen was meant to be rwd but due to the American arm of Toyota leaning on Japan Toyota it was made into a fwd to try and go up against the type r integra .
They should have kept the awd gt4 platform and made what would eventually become the gt86 a little earlier
+wrcgt4 I never heard that, where did that info come from? But I also agree, would have been nice to bring back the GT-Four especially since we didn't the 6th gen version GT-Four in the US.
+Eric Timmer Never driven a GT-4?
When the Celica and the Supra separated into two different models, the Supra stayed rwd, while the Celica shifted to fwd.
My GT4 would beg to differ, sir. Twice as fast as any of the RWD Celicas and can hold its own with a MKIV Supra
Fell in love with this car. Had an 88 Celica I drove for 17 years till it rotted out. I now have an 04 in near perfect condition with a big spoiler, sitting next to its big brother 2021 Supra.
I had a 78 Celica with the 20r engine and manual transmission. Replaced the tranny once took about a hour to get the job done. Best car I ever owned.
New Game: Spot the CHPs following Jay throughout the video
$4000 today equals (2015) $23,599.19...according to DollarTimes......Total Inflation: 489.98%.......
+copperlocks1 that is pricey for a car like this... the modern day equivalent is the FRS (GT86) and its reasonably priced....
dunhillsupramk3 I guess I should have elaborated on what you get today for the equivalent price...I got blind sided by nostalgia....LOL!!
copperlocks1
eh... then again fuel injection, ABS, traction control, stability control all didn't exist back then or would have been very expensive.....
we take for granted (myself included) how efficient a modern car factory can be with all modern tech to sell us a car at the same value as a 1971 Celica
+dunhillsupramk3 I think otherwise. Modern cars are unnecessarily complicated, down to dang annoying beeping seatbelt sensors. There's so much made electronic that you can't manage the modern car yourself, you have to go to the dealer unless you're really, really familiar with the car or you know a local specialized mechanic. Classic cars are pretty simple and straightforward, and deliver just the same as their modern equivalents in my opinion.
117khan
i do like classic cars but its a good thing modern cars is safer and have all these tech... modern cars isn't as complicated as you think, everything is simple once you learn about it...
most of these early japanese cars rusted away in peoples driveways.
+Ozzstar ....in the 70's all cars rusted away..rust didn't care where a car came from back then
+Neil Reid Having lived through that era I can tell you for sure that rust had a sweet eye for Japanese cars first but in the end your right all of them paid the piper eventually.
+me3333 I'm 61, bought my first celi in 72 then 77 then 2007(another 77 pictured left)
Neil Reid Cool you have a few years on me, I live in the rust belt and it seemed like back then Japanese cars went first and the fastest but like I said in the end they all died a rusty death. We used to joke about vega's rusting on the dealer lot so it definitely liked American cars as well. Now it seems all makes rust at the same alarming rate here especially trucks.
+Ozzstar Most American cars of that era rusted too.....
I have a 1989 Toyota Celica GT convertible, almost 200,000 miles, that motor is quiet as can be. Fun to drive, and I get questions about it wherever I go. Very cool to see its ancestor, and that Jay Leno drove a very similar model
I've got a 79 I've been working on for some time, and he's right, it's an absolute blast to drive with the multi link coil spring rear end
14:10 "if you roll over, you're dead, but hey, don't roll over!"
+trisymphony I liked how the door knob sitting next to him reacted...
Just like a door knob
+trisymphony Words to live by lol
I have a friend who is swapping the engine and trans out of a Lexus ISF into a 73 celica.
+Cody Poloway That's an interesting swap! I (and probably 99% of everyone else) would think of a jz swap before any other engine from toyota. The isf is a big hearty v8... gonna be quite the car when its done!
+Shikamoo P.K. I guess The V8 is shorter so easier to fit.
I know the 6 cylinders can be a bit if a squeeze length wise in these. I was lucky to have a T series first gen which fits the 3T-GTE turbo with minimal mods.
+Cody Poloway HAHAHAHA.... your friend may be insane....
Cool paddle shifts in a classic celica...what a goof.
+invinciblejets Nah it will be cool when it's finished; it will be wide body with beautiful paint and such. His goal is for it to be good enough that it could be shown at sema.
Was that a CHP following behind them at 19:55?
I finally got to see the man responsible for my first and all-time favorite car! Thanks Paul! I miss my 2002 Celica GT and hope I can take good care of my next one.
they had high performance kits for those gt's, I fell in love the first time I saw one.