Unless you have not read anything about sports car values in the past year or so, you know that Japanese cars have soared in popularity. Such cars as the Toyota 2000GT, Mazda Cosmo and Datsun 240Z are blazing the trail of bringing Japanese cars into the collectible zone.
Happily, the Japanese classic car hobby is still growing, and there are plenty of deals out there for sports cars from the Land of the Rising Sun. One is the Toyota Celica, the first mass-produced sports coupe from Japan. First-generation Celicas have caught the wave already with rising values, but there is a great alternative available in the second-gen Celica.
The Pick of the Day is a 1978 Toyota Celica GT showing 73,00 miles, the seller says, with an original interior and original paint that gives it the appearance of a total time capsule.
The car is well-equipped with its original 22r 2.2-liter, overhead-cam 4-cylinder engine, 5-speed manual transmission and factory AC, and it somehow retains its factory AM/FM radio.
The Sioux Falls, South Dakota, dealer advertising the Toyota on ClassicCars.com says the car also retains its original owner’s manual, warranty booklet and window sticker, plus extensive service records and receipts.
Japanese cars such as this that are completely original and well-documented set the bar for appreciation, and will only grow in value. Which is why I am calling this one a serious bargain with an asking price of $12,975.
I have seen a number of very nice first-generation Celicas in the past few years, but I can’t remember seeing one of the improved second-generation models in this good original condition in at least 15 years.
This is an opportunity to be ahead of the curve with an investment-grade Japanese sports coupe that is as fun to drive as it would be to show. You would most likely have the only second-generation Celica at just about any car show, even Japanese-only events, and would be likely to do well in a preservation class category.
So you can buy this car now or pay more later. I would advise buying now.
To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day
The 1978 Celica Liftback is the real classic. A beautiful car to this day.
FUN FACT: For those of us old enough to remember Walt Disney’s "Spin and Marty" (on the original Mickey Mouse Club) David Stollery, who played Marty, was awarded "California Designer of the Year’ award for the design of this car. https://youtu.be/ABftbeLNrVg