Post by Alan Duncan on Jan 8, 2006 22:28:11 GMT
This Chap from Canada has kindly given us some history of the RA25.
Hi Big Al,
I own an RA25 GT - the bronze-red one that is in your gallery on the history of the Celica.
Here's a bit of history on this particular RA25....
It's a 1973 early-build RA25-MQ-GG (serial number 5763) and is fully optioned with air-con, power windows and all the options that came with the GT Celica of its period. It was imported into Australia in late 1973 by Toyota and AMI (Australian Motor Industry) for GT evaluation. About 6 TA22GT Celicas were also officially imported with the single RA25.
Due to the performance of the vehicle and the lack of side intrusion bars, the RA25GT was deemed to be in a high insurance category and therefore not acceptable for Australian conditions. Same with the TA22GT models. Hence, Australia only got the LT versions of the Celica, and the only 1st gen liftback to make it to Australia was the RA28 LT. The RA25 was then owned by the Managing Director of AMI where it was used for demos and promotional shows. The car was in the January 1974 Wheels and Jan 1974 Modern Motor magazine reviews. I have a copy of these articles.
It was placed into storage in the mid 70s and was eventually released for sale in July 1982. I saw it and traded in my TA22 LT for it.
The car has an 18RG (230 head) engine, P51 5-speed all-steel close ration gearbox (Porsche patented - using C-bands instead of traditional synchros), 7.5inch 2-pinion LSD, split tailshaft, plus all the GT options.
It was resprayed in 1989 (99,000km) in the original colour (the bronze-red) and now has an original 130,000km on the clock. I purchased the car when it had 5,500km on the clock. The interior is mint and original. A driver-side mirror was added in 1973 to ensure the vehicle complied with Australian registration and the fender mirrors were removed. The outside of the vehicle is almost mint with a few very minor dents. The car now has an original set of 1973 RA25 fender mirrors fitted and is currently sporting 15inch Toyota GTS wheels, which look perfect on the car. However, these are not original wheels (when I bought the car it did not have the original wheels). I am currently sourcing a set of original wheels from Japan. I am hoping to have the car fully resprayed (of course in original colour) in March 2006, where I will be putting the original wheels on the car. I have also sourced a set of new-old-stock Celica emblems and badges and other trim pieces that will be put onto the car when it is resprayed. When it's completed the car will look like it just rolled out of the factory.
All options such as power windows, air-con, overhead console lights etc work perfectly.
There is no rust in the vehicle and it is garaged and driven occasionally and is only serviced by "old" Toyota engineers who give it the attention and detail this classic deserves. All things going well this car will easily see another 33 years of faithful service.
I'm a member of the Toymods Toyota Car Club and the car is occasionally taken out with the club for a cruise or show & shine event. When the respray is complete Toyota have expressed some interest in using it for some promo work. Currently the car is under full registration with custom RA25GT number plates, but I may replace these and put it under classic vehicle registration.
Oh, for your info - the 1974/75 version of the RA25 had the block script Celica badges on the side, where as the 1973 model had the cursive script. Also there were a couple of minor cosmetic changes in the interior. Not that you'll see too many RA25s, but at least you'll know if it is the early build (like mine) or a 1974/75 later build.
Anyway, I've probably bored you enough. Thanks for putting a pic of my car in your forums. If you're interested I can supply you with some other links where there are more modern pics of the car (with GTS wheels and fender mirrors). Also, I can supply you pics of the car after it is resprayed and in full original spec.
regards
river
AND WHERE TO GET THEM IN THE WORLD.
I have just heard of the one in Ireland. Big Al
Hi,
I know the one in Ireland. It was imported about a year or so ago and I've exchanged a few emails with the owner. It's a 1974/75 model.
Rod has one in the USA (1974/75 model). And there's now two in Australia that I officially know about (GT versions) - one is a 1974/75 and mine the 1973 model. There's an RA25ST in Australia also, but it's in a bad shape. It was going to be restored but I haven't heard anything about it for over a year now.
There's one I know of in Malaysia, but I don't know if it's an LT, ST or GT model, year of manufacture or what condition it is in.
I'm sure there's a few in Japan, but a lot of them have been riced, or painted non-original, modified and with painted bumpers and rear light panels - so they may be in good condition, but definitely not original.
seeyuzz
river
Good Story River
Big Al
Hi Big Al,
I own an RA25 GT - the bronze-red one that is in your gallery on the history of the Celica.
Here's a bit of history on this particular RA25....
It's a 1973 early-build RA25-MQ-GG (serial number 5763) and is fully optioned with air-con, power windows and all the options that came with the GT Celica of its period. It was imported into Australia in late 1973 by Toyota and AMI (Australian Motor Industry) for GT evaluation. About 6 TA22GT Celicas were also officially imported with the single RA25.
Due to the performance of the vehicle and the lack of side intrusion bars, the RA25GT was deemed to be in a high insurance category and therefore not acceptable for Australian conditions. Same with the TA22GT models. Hence, Australia only got the LT versions of the Celica, and the only 1st gen liftback to make it to Australia was the RA28 LT. The RA25 was then owned by the Managing Director of AMI where it was used for demos and promotional shows. The car was in the January 1974 Wheels and Jan 1974 Modern Motor magazine reviews. I have a copy of these articles.
It was placed into storage in the mid 70s and was eventually released for sale in July 1982. I saw it and traded in my TA22 LT for it.
The car has an 18RG (230 head) engine, P51 5-speed all-steel close ration gearbox (Porsche patented - using C-bands instead of traditional synchros), 7.5inch 2-pinion LSD, split tailshaft, plus all the GT options.
It was resprayed in 1989 (99,000km) in the original colour (the bronze-red) and now has an original 130,000km on the clock. I purchased the car when it had 5,500km on the clock. The interior is mint and original. A driver-side mirror was added in 1973 to ensure the vehicle complied with Australian registration and the fender mirrors were removed. The outside of the vehicle is almost mint with a few very minor dents. The car now has an original set of 1973 RA25 fender mirrors fitted and is currently sporting 15inch Toyota GTS wheels, which look perfect on the car. However, these are not original wheels (when I bought the car it did not have the original wheels). I am currently sourcing a set of original wheels from Japan. I am hoping to have the car fully resprayed (of course in original colour) in March 2006, where I will be putting the original wheels on the car. I have also sourced a set of new-old-stock Celica emblems and badges and other trim pieces that will be put onto the car when it is resprayed. When it's completed the car will look like it just rolled out of the factory.
All options such as power windows, air-con, overhead console lights etc work perfectly.
There is no rust in the vehicle and it is garaged and driven occasionally and is only serviced by "old" Toyota engineers who give it the attention and detail this classic deserves. All things going well this car will easily see another 33 years of faithful service.
I'm a member of the Toymods Toyota Car Club and the car is occasionally taken out with the club for a cruise or show & shine event. When the respray is complete Toyota have expressed some interest in using it for some promo work. Currently the car is under full registration with custom RA25GT number plates, but I may replace these and put it under classic vehicle registration.
Oh, for your info - the 1974/75 version of the RA25 had the block script Celica badges on the side, where as the 1973 model had the cursive script. Also there were a couple of minor cosmetic changes in the interior. Not that you'll see too many RA25s, but at least you'll know if it is the early build (like mine) or a 1974/75 later build.
Anyway, I've probably bored you enough. Thanks for putting a pic of my car in your forums. If you're interested I can supply you with some other links where there are more modern pics of the car (with GTS wheels and fender mirrors). Also, I can supply you pics of the car after it is resprayed and in full original spec.
regards
river
AND WHERE TO GET THEM IN THE WORLD.
I have just heard of the one in Ireland. Big Al
Hi,
I know the one in Ireland. It was imported about a year or so ago and I've exchanged a few emails with the owner. It's a 1974/75 model.
Rod has one in the USA (1974/75 model). And there's now two in Australia that I officially know about (GT versions) - one is a 1974/75 and mine the 1973 model. There's an RA25ST in Australia also, but it's in a bad shape. It was going to be restored but I haven't heard anything about it for over a year now.
There's one I know of in Malaysia, but I don't know if it's an LT, ST or GT model, year of manufacture or what condition it is in.
I'm sure there's a few in Japan, but a lot of them have been riced, or painted non-original, modified and with painted bumpers and rear light panels - so they may be in good condition, but definitely not original.
seeyuzz
river
Good Story River
Big Al