Toyota Celica RA24. Wonderful classic cruiser, and rare in Europe

Auto Motor Klassiek » Articles » Toyota Celica RA24. Wonderful classic cruiser, and rare in Europe
Purchasing classics there

A Toyota Celica from the first seven years of the seventies needs no explanation for many classic enthusiasts. Yes. That's what you thought. The Toyota sports car came on the market in 1970 and started its career as a hardtop. Later, the Japanese manufacturer expanded the Celica range with the Liftback. As usual, there were several versions and engines. That's right. But it is less known that Toyota put together its range depending on the continent, and that also applied to the Celica. The choice was huge for the home market, and the American range was again different from that in Europe.

For example, the 20 series of the Celica was supplied with the 20R engine in the United States and Canada. This 2189 cc engine was never on the Celica program in Europe. But in America it does. Toyota also used a catalytic converter for California. And Henk Toonstra has such a California Celica, with a three-speed automatic.

His car dates from 1976 and is actually a series two of the 20 series, including with the straight front and the car that, together with the '23 series', took over the hardtop from the earlier 1975 versions from October 20. We will make an extensive report with this special car, and you are of course curious how an RA24 drives compared to the European hardtop versions with a 2T engine under the hood. You can read more about this later, just a little patience.

First we describe Henk's Toyota Celica RA24. The Japanese classic is painted in silver. This car was also delivered new in 1976 (in combination with the ST trim level). And it's not just the designation on the front fenders that tells you that this Toyota was delivered new in San Francisco. You can also see it in the safety bumpers, in the indicators on the sides. In addition, you see the decorative strips on the flanks, which rise to the rear in a graceful arc, and then continue their way back in a straight line. And that this Celica comes from California, you can also see from the indicator in the clock shop. Exh temp it says, and that means this Celica is equipped with a cat.

Henk Toonstra does not even think about having his Celica completely repainted. The sunny patina, just like the bumper, tells everything about the origin of this Celica. The bumpers stay where they are, and the sunbreak in the steering wheel is not repaired. Very nice: the sticker with the number 140 keeps its place on the left of the rear bumper. “That was probably the auction number with which the car came from America to Rotterdam,” says Henk. Apart from a few plate parts, it also leaves the sunny patina intact. Henk also mounted other wheels, and under the hood you will find one double Weber carburettor. But for the most part, the Celica has its original characteristics, and the Toyota remained quite original from 1976.

A lot has been done to get the Celica back in the correct technical condition. The engine went out, he got a new timing chain. Furthermore, the entire braking system (including power brakes) was addressed and the Celica also got a new steering box. And of course, the Toyota is excellently maintained, on liquids and filters is certainly no cut. But still and as said: with this Toyota, much remained as it was, and the condition of the Celica is more than acceptable.

Take the furniture. It is in excellent condition and fits perfectly. The undersigned notices this when Henk allows him to take over the wheel for the way back from the photo location. The front seats (with integrated headrests) in the Celica cockpit provide a nice low and easily adjustable seating position, also in relation to the steering wheel and pedals. It is striking that there is a lot of room to move in the optically low-cut hardtop. All controls are within easy reach, and although everything is super fully equipped by seventies standards, you are able to find things just by touch. Moreover, the abundance of meters leave nothing to be desired in terms of clarity.

As easy as the Toyota makes it ergonomically for the driver, it is easy to drive. You notice that the Celica received a technical makeover. The car steers excellently, a steering command is hardly accompanied by a delay and you feel what is happening. Code word: balance, and that also applies to the brake system that can be dosed excellently.

This qualification gives you a very good idea of ​​what the buyer bought at the time: a very well-balanced driving car, which drives better and less light-hearted than, for example, the European 1600 versions. This also has to do with the slightly more comfortably tuned chassis (McPherson and stabilizer at the front, rigid axle with coil springs and separate dampers at the rear). But the main factor for the difference is under the hood. That's not a matter of better, this is just a completely different engine. And this gives the Celica a completely individual character.

The difference is made by the 20R engine with the alloy head (valve control: SOHC) with hemispherical combustion chambers and the cast iron block. The engine is exceptionally good-natured and at the same time it deploys its torque in a very balanced way. The 20R engine (according to Californian specifications it delivered 91 hp) reaches its peak torque of 162 Nm early: at 2800 rpm. And that fact in particular makes the Celica in this version an extremely relaxed car to be on the road with. He doesn't chase you for a moment, in this classic Toyota you just relax.

If you want to step on the accelerator with quick speed (again: not necessary), then the Toyota accelerates steadily. The automatic transmission also adapts perfectly to the position of the accelerator pedal. Engine and transmission are therefore an excellent combination. Henk Toonstra and we agree that a fourth stage would not have been out of place for the extra peace of mind on board. But you can also count the blessings in this Celica without any problems with the three-speed automatic transmission.

With this engine on board, the Celica is a truly outstanding cruiser. He shows why it suited North America so well in this configuration. Today, thanks to the excellent work that Henk does, he shows his historical credentials and his beautiful character with gusto. With retroactive effect, that is also a compliment to its historical creators. Because Toyota was perfectly capable of tailoring its cars to the needs of a specific market. Henk Toonstra's Celica RA24 makes clear what that means in Friesland in a relaxed, but unambiguous way. And why Toyota was also an important factor in the United States of the XNUMXs.

Toyota Celica RA24. Driving a lovely and rare cruiser
Typical lines, which have flowing features at the back. The Celica is recognizable from thousands © Bart Spijker
Toyota Celica RA24. Nice cruiser, and rare in Europe
European bumpers are a no-go with this Celica. Owner Henk Toonstra therefore keeps the American bumpers on his classic © Bart Spijker
Toyota Celica RA24. Nice cruiser, and rare in Europe
The 20R engine with a capacity of 2189 cc was not on the program in Europe © Bart Spijker
Toyota Celica RA24. Nice cruiser, and rare in Europe
The Celica really offers a formidable and richly equipped workplace © Bart Spijker
Toyota Celica RA24. Nice cruiser, and rare in Europe
One of the features of model year 1976 (from autumn 1975) was the arrival of the upright front, which saw the light of day in Japan before. ©Bart Spijker
Toyota Celica RA24. Nice cruiser, and rare in Europe
A classic Toyota somehow fits perfectly within this productive setting ©Erik van Putten
Toyota Celica RA24. Wonderful classic cruiser, and rare in Europe
To the Exh.temp† With the light you can see that Toyota installed a catalytic converter for the Californian market. © Bart Soijker

REGISTER FOR FREE AND WE'LL SEND YOU OUR NEWSLETTER EVERY DAY WITH THE LATEST STORIES ABOUT CLASSIC CARS AND MOTORCYCLES

Select other newsletters if necessary

We won't send you spam! Read our privacy policy for more information.

If you like the article, please share it...

3 comments

  1. Beautiful car, but the front looks like a Mitsubishi Galant / Celeste. By the way, almost no Celica is as beautiful as the first model fastback.

  2. From the times I used to service that car of acquaintances of ours (yes, such a Celica), I know how reliable they were. They did have a rust problem, though. With Tectyl running between seams, a lot of misery was prevented. But that copy has been driving on Dutch roads for many years in good condition with its bodywork. Doing maintenance was a fair bit of fun. You recovered well and there were really no surprising things. They did use a little oil when the valve cups were to Petrus but they were really very reliable. More reliable than many German competitors!! The engine character, the defined feeling when shifting the manual transmission and the specific sound of that Celica were a feast that could be enjoyed from the deep seat. Some rap with a lot of gas on the lollipop was rewarded with a power slide.
    I myself have usually remained faithful to VW, but it is precisely those Japanese who have left a deeper impression. Fair is fair. Thanks for bringing back those memories with this article!!

Give a reaction

The email address will not be published. Required fields are marked with *

Maximum file size of upload: 8 MB. You can upload: afbeelding. Links to YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and other services inserted in the comment text will be automatically embedded. Drop files here