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Post by Paul1955 on Aug 2, 2020 11:30:18 GMT
Hi Guys, doing a bit of research on our Gen4 Celica GT-S Targa, as I understand it these were coach built in Germany but not many right hand drive were produced for the UK market. I would be grateful if anyone has any info on these cars as Toyota's records only go back to 1990, Thanks.
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Post by dinger on Aug 8, 2020 11:51:20 GMT
Paul is correct that a convertible version of the gen 4 Celica was officially imported and sold in the UK by Toyota GB, in small numbers. From memory, he is also correct that the conversion was by German firm Bau(e)r. The conversion used the 2 door coupe version of the Celica GT and joined the 3dr ST162 Celica GT already on sale here, in manual and auto. Spec the same, but no air con or auto offered.The car promoted with the name Cabriolet - no S suffix. The UK launch was at the Ulster Motor Show in February 1987 and it was touch and go, as the covers came off, which drew the more admiring glances, the red car with the two piece front targa/rear hood down, or Miss N Ireland standing up on the back seat. The Cabriolet indeed looked stunning in roof open form and a red version was also front cover on TGB's 1987, version 1 Showcase brochure.
Sadly unlike the existing GT on sale, the Cabriolet was not a commercial success. 4 reasons. Convertibles generally not as popular as in todays market. Too expensive - TGB would price their convertible and GT4, top of the range Celicas far above the entry level GT's and later ST's. Then unusually for Toyota back then, two serious tech problems. The body not well enough braced on conversion after the roof removed, so scuttle shake on even a slightly uneven surface. Our knowledgeable Club archivist has seen a TGB bulletin advising dealers not to lift the car on wheel free hoists to avoid further distortion or flexing. And finally when it rained heavily you got a free shower. It seems even TGB never managed an effective fix - I recollect seeing three or four cars in their workshop near their Redhill HQ, working on the seals either side of the targa section. So the Cabriolet faded from the TGB official range, while the GT and GT4 carried on until the gen 5 arrived.
However fear not, if you have one. Like many cars not great commercial successes in early life, the TA22/3 Celica GT's a good example, now rare and collectible. And what better Toyota to drive, passers by admiring the sleek lines, top down on a sunny day, along a nice smooth road.
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Post by 1600gtcelicaman on Aug 9, 2020 7:17:12 GMT
200 of these produced for he uk market by ASC in germany , I have one plus the brochures . Very underrated car , not pretty with the hood up but very pretty with it all down , sold here between 1987 and 1989 and a couple of facelift with gti16 badging and different wheels sold here in the uk.Still a few survivors not overly sought after which is a shame as vastly underrated .
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Post by pb1955 on Aug 16, 2020 17:47:41 GMT
Thanks for the info Guys, very helpful. I had contacted Toyota Europe but their records only go back to 1990. It is a great car and yes very underrated, ours is totally unmolested in fact we only changed the original radiator last year.
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clarky
Highschool Graduate
ah to be 20 again and in toyota heaven
Posts: 47
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Post by clarky on Aug 16, 2020 21:30:44 GMT
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