Shows like Offset Kings Japan are a journey of discovery. They also make our jobs as Speedhunters far easier than you could possibly imagine, as we are presented with a massive selection of cars on a silver platter, all beautifully lined up and ready to be discovered one by one.
And with such a huge selection and diversity of modified machinery, the worst thing you could possibly do at such an event is look at a car, make an assumption and quickly dismiss it by walking away. I have to say, I almost fell prey to doing just that when I came across this RA22 Toyota Celica at Fuji Speedway last weekend.
I grabbed a few pictures as I thought it looked cool sitting there with its front-hinged bonnet wide open, but only when I moved to one side to get a profile view of the Work Meister CR-01 wheels did I notice something unusual in the engine bay…
Okay, now that’s something you don’t see every day! And what a perfect example of keeping it in the family.
I really can’t think of a better engine than the BEAMS 3S-GE to re-power an old Toyota chassis like the Celica. The ’90s inline-four brings variable valve timing on both the intake and exhaust and a nice, useable 210hp to the party – and in this case, a precise and fast-shifting 6-speed manual transmission (ripped out of the same Altezza the motor originated from) to back it up.
When I noticed it afterwards, the VVT-i badge on the grill made all the sense in the world!
Aside from a few additional gauges, the interior has remained untouched – that ’70s ambience adding so much character to the car.
In case you’re wondering, the gold-crowned dial on the console is an air/fuel ratio gauge with an LED clock-like display.
This is one 1600 ST model that packs a hell of a lot more performance than the stock car could ever muster.
I call it resto-modding – Japanese-style. The original feel of the car remains, but it’s been spiced up with components and a stance that makes it relevant to modern-day tastes. Japan wins again!
Dino Dalle Carbonare
Instagram: speedhunters_dino
dino@speedhunters.com
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What rear end does it run? Lot of neg camber for a live axle car??
IRS ?????? like the TV screen in the shelf below the glove box
I love this article, so simple.
Same question as Deano
Would be an irs setup mate
One of my all time favourite cars since childhood, excellent choice!
I really love this version of Celica. Also my first post here so hello!
F20crolla Yep, figured that... What IRS setup more precisely..? Is a fair bit of work to stuff an IRS into what was originally a live axle car. Or it could be a full floater with cambered hubs of course. Anyway just interested in what it is and the engineering behind it.
Bet its a nice driver anyway. Sweet all round.
RA22 Celicas are the sweetest, just right in style, handling and for back then power. Oh and hello.
Chris 'Haffy' Hafner They sure are. I just love to design, the aggressive look and with such potential
I'm a Celica owner, one with the same engine, so i love this article. ST165, ST185 and ST205 Celica's deserve more attention on the internet!
I like. A lot.
me too
Yeah great idea. I just wish the car was set up so he could actually use the power. Like why do I cool engine swap on a car designed to sit in a parking lot for people to look at? :/
I'm in Japan for a 7 month business trip. Is there a website I can look at to find upcoming shows/meets? I'd love to be able to experience a Japanese car meet befit I head back to the states. You guys do an awesome job at showing off cars and describing them I want to see this in person! Thanks for your write ups!
Kyle Horton Welcome!
the best celica ever made!!!...for me its an little camaro
can't take anything seriously with the tyres at that childish angle.....
Cool Celica, but stance cambre was sooo 5min ago. Particularly with that motor swap. Nice car - I have wanted one of these since I was 6..
Last picture ruins it all...
How do you know it isn't able to use the meagre 210hp available? All of you lot behind a computer who've hardly spun a spanner or driven a car in anger carrying on about a couple of degrees static camber...
I couldnt figure by reading the article what is the only thing the VVT-i badge means. It is a rather weird thing to say.
No they don't if they became more widely known childish kids would get there hands on them and its hard enough as it is to find one let alone once people start wrecking them
I too am in aw of the fact that the details of the IRS are completely missed in this article. I have a similar car and would love to know more.
AlanBosnjak You mean the camber?
ingeloakastimizilian 3S swap?
SimonSheldrick No no no people, please remember that the Japanese have been doing negative camber as a style waaaaaay before it became the thing to do at shows these days ...
cutterjones13 Read my above comment...
AndresCampitelli Yes agree, stunning little car
Dantiso Just start going through all the Japanese car mags at your local book store. There are events listed and advertised in there, so that's always a good start
seventhskyline Yeah I agree, why would you assume that?
seventhskyline Yeah I agree, why would you assume that?
ingeloakastimizilian Variable Valve Timing Injection
DavidCharlesMartinez Like this?
http://www.stanceiseverything.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Toyota_Celica_Oni_Camber_03.jpg
No pics of the rear suspension?
Is it weird that I wanna see more FR 2zz setups? Something about the sound of that motor just does it for me.
RA24 @Deano I'm gonna suggesting consulting the forums on that one.
This is what im talking about! I love how the car keeps its original character with the interior and exterior staying true to (as far as I know) stock styling, but yet has a drivetrain with a little more go to work with todays standards.
Your not alone on that one
speedhunters_dino seventhskyline I think it's kind of a 'normcore' response that's seeing a bit of an upswell lately. Everything has to be about nth degree scientific handling theory and personal best lap times on the way to the shops.
Should feature it, I feel there's more under the skin for us to find out about!
speedhunters_dino AlanBosnjak I'm an 'each to their own' type of guy. It's his car, he can do what he wants. For my taste though, that camber detracts from the build a little.
Is it me, or is that VVT-I badge crooked in the grille? That's gonna bug me.
DavidCharlesMartinez so neg
speedhunters_dino AlanBosnjak yep, too much camber for my liking
Inline6ness yes, didn't these cars come with solid rear axles??? i'd like to know the setup as well.
that car is fit as f!
Look out folks, human protractor over here!
Correct me if I'm wrong, but wouldn't it be a TA22? The badge says 1600 ST so I'm pretty sure it would originally have been fitted with a 1600cc 2T-B, rather than an R series engine.
@RickCunanan Yes they do, I've got a 73 RA21 that I'm swapping IRS into. I'd really like to see if it's all one off or if he used a donor subframe.
@davisonthealist You are correct sir. The 2000GT (not to be confused with the $1M 2000GT) would have come with an 18RG.
The VVTi badge could become actuality many things exist, but ultimately only one thing, but until you are aware of the one thing, you are discover of thought the possibility was manifold. Become the one thing in revelation is the BEAMS 3S-GE of special significant! Beside reality is also 1JZ or some such of machine for free benefit of imagination.
BEAMS it is here!
お休み なさい
seventhskyline lol
Probably has a irs swap too~! pretty cool build! A first for me on a celica of that generation. Thanks dino for the article!
Inline6ness hey there, a friend of mine runs R32 GT-R IRS in his 1UZ RA27, I can dig up the build thread if you like? It's a shortened subframe with stock LCA's etc etc to retain all the original GT-R geometry. The thing sticks to the road like a leech, and corner exit traction really is other-worldly.
speedhunters_dino AlanBosnjak On the contrary - this camber is indicative of something a WHOLE LOT more serious going on underneath that old girl. Would be interesting to see how it's been done.
RA24 http://oldschool.co.nz/2011/forum/index.php?/topic/21439-sheepers-1976-ra28-celica/?hl=ra28#entry651920 here's an IRS swap a very good friend of mine cooked up earlier.
The 2nd Gen Supra's were IRS here in the states. That could be done here, but in Japan, anything is possible.
@SnoozinRichy I found your link, that is super bitchin.
the car was very good
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