Celica (A20/A40)
1970-1981 / Coupe / Liftback / Japan
Photo: Photo by Jones028 from Hong Kong / Wikimedia Commons CC BY 2.0
The first-generation Celica borrowed heavily from American muscle car styling, particularly the Mustang, and applied it to a lightweight Japanese package. The result was a car with genuine character and surprisingly good dynamics. The liftback version arrived in 1977 and became an instant classic with its fastback profile. The twin-cam 18R-G engine offered real performance for those who wanted it.
In Australia, these early Celicas are becoming increasingly rare and sought after by the JDM classic community. They were popular cars when new, but decades of daily use, modifications, and neglect have thinned the herd dramatically. Good examples are disappearing into collections. The RA28 coupe and RA40 liftback are the most desirable variants, with the twin-cam models commanding the highest prices. These cars perfectly capture the optimism and style of 1970s Japanese car design.
Thinking of buying a Celica (A20/A40)?
What to look for, what to pay, what to avoid.
What to watch for.
Floor Pan Corrosion
Critical Body and Structure
Floor Pan Corrosion
CriticalSoft or thinning floors, particularly in the driver's and passenger's footwells. Wet carpet after rain. Road noise increases.
Water entry through deteriorated door seals, windscreen seals, and from below via road spray. The floors are better protected than British cars of the era but are not immune to 50 years of moisture exposure.
Weld in repair sections. Some reproduction panels are available; others must be fabricated. Cost: $500--1,500 per section.
Lower Quarter Panel Corrosion
Critical Body and Structure
Lower Quarter Panel Corrosion
CriticalRust and perforation in the lower rear quarter panels, behind and above the rear wheels.
Road spray and mud accumulate between the inner and outer panels. Trapped moisture corrodes from inside. The lower quarter area on the coupe is particularly vulnerable because the wheel arch lip traps debris.
Cut out and replace with new metal. Reproduction panels exist for some variants but supply is inconsistent. Custom fabrication may be required. Cost: $500--1,500 per side.
Inner Guard Corrosion
Minor Body and Structure
Inner Guard Corrosion
MinorRust in the engine bay around the inner fenders and strut tower bases.
Road spray enters the engine bay and collects in the double-skinned areas around the inner guards. Heat cycling from the engine accelerates corrosion.
Clean, treat, and seal if surface rust. Cut out and fabricate if perforated. Cost: $800--2,000 per side for significant repair.
Sill Corrosion
Minor Body and Structure
Sill Corrosion
MinorThe rocker panels soften, crumble, and lose structural integrity.
Box-section sills trap water when drain holes block. The corrosion process is identical to that described in British cars, though the Toyota steel generally resists longer.
Full sill replacement. Repair panels may need to be fabricated as supply is limited. Cost: $1,000--2,500 per side.
Oil Leaks
Critical Engine -- 18R Single-Cam
Oil Leaks
CriticalOil seepage and dripping from the valve cover gasket, oil pan gasket, rear main seal, and timing cover.
Rubber and cork gaskets harden and shrink over 50 years. The 18R is not a particularly leak-prone engine when the gaskets are fresh, but all gaskets eventually fail.
Replace all gaskets and seals systematically. The valve cover gasket ($15--30) and oil pan gasket ($20--40) are easy. The rear main seal requires gearbox removal. Full reseal: $150--300 DIY, $500--1,000 at a workshop.
Timing Chain Noise
Critical Engine -- 18R Single-Cam
Timing Chain Noise
CriticalA rattle or slapping sound from the front of the engine on cold start that may quiet as the engine warms.
The timing chain stretches and the tensioner wears over 150,000+ km. The chain guides can also crack and break.
Replace the timing chain, tensioner, and guides as a set. Cost: $150--400.
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Common questions.
What is the difference between the A20 and A40 Celica?
The A20 (first generation, 1970--1977) and A40 (second generation, 1977--1981) are successive generations of the Celica. The A20 is the smaller, lighter, more raw car with a clear Mustang-inspired design.
What do RA23, RA28, and RA40 mean?
These are Toyota's chassis codes for the Australian-market Celica: - **RA23:** First-generation coupe with the 18R engine (R = R-series engine, A = 20 series body) - **RA28:** First-generation liftback with the 18R engine - **RA40:** Second-generation coupe/liftback with the 18R engine The "R" prefix indicates the R-series engine family. The "A" indicates the Celica platform generation (A20, A40).
Is the twin-cam 18R-G worth the extra money?
Yes, if you want the full Celica driving experience. The 18R-G transforms the car.
How reliable is the Celica compared to European sports cars?
Significantly more reliable. Toyota's build quality in the 1970s was a step above most European manufacturers, and the Celica benefits from simpler, more robust engineering.
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