When American car manufacturers had been down on their luck and their cars were simply not connecting with the market, it was Japanese cars that briefly took over the market. Especially in the late '70s and '80s, Japanese cars proved to be more affordable, more efficient, lighter, and sportier than American models. Toyota was one of the biggest Japanese automakers in the U.S. at the time, and the brand had become reputed for its bulletproof commuters like the Corolla and the Corona.
In 1978, however, Toyota decided to test new waters in the sports car segment, thus launching the Celica Supra. It was the 1982 model year that was a rather significant time for the Celica, when fuel injection became standard on all models sold in the U.S. Incidentally, this was also the time the New York Yankees began using the sporty Celica as their bullpen car. Between 1982 and 1985, the Celica became the sportiest it had ever been, offering great handling and a remarkable driving experience.
Sure, the high-powered Celica Supra has always garnered more attention, but here are 8 reasons why you should consider buying a 1982-85 Toyota Celica if a classic is on the cards.
8 The Revamped Design Of The 1985 Celica Remains Timeless
Toyota redesigned their Celica in its third generation, making for a new and different car. Over the previous years, the Celica had been becoming larger and heavier with each new model, slowly losing its lightweight, sporty coupe image.
Thus, for the new generation, the car received a fantastic new design which took inspiration from the Supra. Sleek lines and a sporty stance laid the foundations of the design language of the 1982-85 Celica. Plus, these models also have the retractable headlights that make the '80s Supra and Celica so iconic, ensuring that the car turns heads wherever it goes even today.
7 The Third-Gen Toyota Celica Still Offers A Fantastic Driving Experience
Starting 1982, fuel injection became standard on all Toyota Celica models sold in North America. Toyota was hell-bent on making the Celica sportier than ever before, and they certainly achieved their goal.
If you’re thinking of buying a classic Toyota Celica from the early ‘80s, the 1982-85 Celicas were designed to be driver-friendly. To this day, these FWD cars, paired with their lightweight bodies offer a fun, engaging, and thrilling driving experience. Plus, these Celicas are also quite welcoming of tuners, which means you could up the ante for yourself if you wished to.
6 Bringing Home A Classic Third-Gen Toyota Celica Wouldn't Break The Bank
When compared to other sports cars of its era, the 1982-85 Celica proves to be relatively affordable. This makes it a great choice not only in terms of what a fantastic car it has always been, but also in how it wouldn't cost an arm and a leg to bring home. Hagerty values a 1983 Celica under $13,000.
Plus, it wouldn't break the bank on repairs or parts replacement, either, as the Celica still has a pretty strong market support today. For car enthusiasts just starting out and wishing to be behind the wheel of a classic Japanese car with credible street rep, the '82-85 Celica proves to be a great choice.
5 The Toyota Celica Came With A Solid And Reliable Engine
Japanese car manufacturers are reputed around the globe for their reliable cars, and Toyota certainly is renowned for the same. Just like every other car on the Toyota lineup, the third-gen Celica, too, boasted a strong, solid, and dependable power unit underneath its hood.
The 2.4-liter 22R or 22R-E engine inside the 1982 Toyota Celica was the biggest 4-cylinder engine that any Celica had ever been offered with.
4 The 1982 Toyota Celica GT-S Reclaimed The Car's Lost Sporty Image
In order to regain the sporty image that the Celica had lost, Toyota launched the GT-S model in August 1982. Much of what made the GT-S Toyota Supra so special and sporty came from its sportier sibling, the Celica Supra.
As such, the Toyota Celica GT-S model from 1982 came with larger wheels and tires, fender flares for added road presence and an independent rear suspension that truly enhanced the ride experience and handling. Moreover, on the inside, the Celica GT-S features special sports seats, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter knob which became talking points for the car at the time.
3 Toyota Gave The Celica Its Iconic Retractable Headlights From 1983
If you hear about a classic Toyota Celica from the '80s, it is certain that you think of the car with the iconic and unforgettable retractable headlights. Toyota gave the third-gen Celica a facelift in 1983, for the subsequent model year.
This face-lifted model was when the Celica received fully retractable headlights and a restyled grille. The MY84 Celica also received an airdam, along with a revised design for the rear combination lamps as well. This is what lent the third-gen Celica its stylish looks, and you can be certain that you would turn a lot of heads when you're driving the classic sports car.
2 The 1984 Toyota Celica GT-S Convertible Is One Of The Rarest Toyota Cars
The sportiest Toyota Celica from its third generation (between 1981 and 1985) was the GT-S model, which made 116 horsepower and 140 lb-ft of torque. Toyota made it sportier still by offering a convertible variant in 1984. It was California-based American Sunroof Company that built the Toyota Celica GT-S Convertible in 1984, and they only built a mere 200 units of the same.
This makes the '84 convertible GT-S one of the rarest Toyota cars. Seeing the success of the open-top Celica, Toyota commissioned over 4,000 units for the 1985 model year.
1 The Toyota Celica From The Early '80s Still Has Plenty Of Parts And Market Support
If you're not already sold on the idea of buying a classic third-gen Toyota Celica, you'd also be happy to know that parts for the 1982-85 model are very easily available on the market. This is all thanks to the car's popularity remaining alive and well through the years. You'd be able to keep your Celica looking and driving its very best thanks to the car's great market support and parts availability.
Whether you're looking for a fun weekend driver, a nostalgic trip down memory lane, or the bragging rights of a classic Toyota sports car, the Toyota Celica is one machine that will surely put a smile on your face and anyone who looks at it.