Key Specifications
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Production Years | 1970--1977 (A20), 1977--1981 (A40/A50) |
| Manufacturer | Toyota Motor Corporation |
| Assembly | Tahara, Aichi, Japan |
| Body Styles | 2-door hardtop coupe, 3-door liftback |
| Layout | Front engine, rear-wheel drive |
| Platform | A20 (first gen), A40/A50 (second gen) |
| Construction | Steel monocoque (unibody) |
Dimensions -- First Generation (A20)
| Dimension | Coupe | Liftback |
|---|---|---|
| Wheelbase | 2,425 mm (95.5 in) | 2,425 mm (95.5 in) |
| Overall Length | 4,165 mm (164.0 in) | 4,230 mm (166.5 in) |
| Overall Width | 1,600 mm (63.0 in) | 1,600 mm (63.0 in) |
| Overall Height | 1,310 mm (51.6 in) | 1,310 mm (51.6 in) |
| Kerb Weight (18R) | 1,020 kg (2,249 lb) | 1,060 kg (2,337 lb) |
| Kerb Weight (18R-G) | 1,040 kg (2,293 lb) | 1,080 kg (2,381 lb) |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 55 L (12.1 imp gal) | 55 L (12.1 imp gal) |
| Boot/Cargo Capacity | 300 L (coupe) | 540 L (liftback, seats folded) |
Dimensions -- Second Generation (A40)
| Dimension | Coupe | Liftback |
|---|---|---|
| Wheelbase | 2,500 mm (98.4 in) | 2,500 mm (98.4 in) |
| Overall Length | 4,410 mm (173.6 in) | 4,435 mm (174.6 in) |
| Overall Width | 1,635 mm (64.4 in) | 1,635 mm (64.4 in) |
| Overall Height | 1,305 mm (51.4 in) | 1,310 mm (51.6 in) |
| Kerb Weight (18R) | 1,080 kg (2,381 lb) | 1,110 kg (2,447 lb) |
| Kerb Weight (18R-G) | 1,100 kg (2,425 lb) | 1,130 kg (2,491 lb) |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 55 L (12.1 imp gal) | 55 L (12.1 imp gal) |
Engine Specifications
2T-G -- 1588cc DOHC (First Gen, Some Markets)
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Configuration | Inline 4, DOHC, 8-valve |
| Displacement | 1,588 cc |
| Bore x Stroke | 85.0 mm x 70.0 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 9.8:1 |
| Power | 85 kW (115 hp) @ 6,400 rpm |
| Torque | 142 Nm (105 lb-ft) @ 5,200 rpm |
| Fuel System | Twin Mikuni-Solex side-draft carburettors |
| Ignition | Contact breaker points / electronic (late) |
| Valvetrain | Chain-driven DOHC, mechanical lifters |
| Oil Capacity | 3.5 L (with filter) |
| Recommended Oil | 20W-50 mineral |
| Redline | 7,200 rpm |
18R -- 1968cc SOHC (Australian Market Standard)
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Configuration | Inline 4, SOHC, 8-valve |
| Displacement | 1,968 cc |
| Bore x Stroke | 88.5 mm x 80.0 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 8.5:1 |
| Power | 72 kW (97 hp) @ 5,500 rpm |
| Torque | 157 Nm (116 lb-ft) @ 3,600 rpm |
| Fuel System | Single Aisan 2-barrel downdraft carburettor |
| Ignition | Contact breaker points / electronic (late) |
| Valvetrain | Chain-driven SOHC, mechanical lifters |
| Oil Capacity | 4.0 L (with filter) |
| Recommended Oil | 20W-50 mineral |
| Redline | 6,500 rpm |
18R-G -- 1968cc DOHC (Performance Model)
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Configuration | Inline 4, DOHC, 8-valve |
| Displacement | 1,968 cc |
| Bore x Stroke | 88.5 mm x 80.0 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 9.8:1 |
| Power | 82 kW (110 hp) @ 6,400 rpm |
| Torque | 162 Nm (120 lb-ft) @ 5,200 rpm |
| Fuel System | Twin Mikuni-Solex PHH side-draft carburettors |
| Ignition | Contact breaker points / electronic (late) |
| Valvetrain | Chain-driven DOHC, mechanical lifters |
| Oil Capacity | 4.0 L (with filter) |
| Recommended Oil | 20W-50 mineral |
| Redline | 7,200 rpm |
18R-GU -- 1968cc DOHC EFI (Late Second Gen, Some Markets)
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Configuration | Inline 4, DOHC, 8-valve |
| Displacement | 1,968 cc |
| Bore x Stroke | 88.5 mm x 80.0 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 9.8:1 |
| Power | 82 kW (110 hp) @ 6,000 rpm |
| Torque | 167 Nm (123 lb-ft) @ 4,800 rpm |
| Fuel System | Electronic fuel injection (EFI) |
Transmission Options
| Transmission | Type | Gears | Applications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota W50 | Manual | 5-speed | Most models (standard) |
| Toyota W40 | Manual | 4-speed | Base models (early) |
| Toyota A40 | Automatic | 3-speed | Optional |
W50 Gear Ratios (5-Speed Manual)
| Gear | Ratio |
|---|---|
| 1st | 3.587 |
| 2nd | 2.022 |
| 3rd | 1.384 |
| 4th | 1.000 |
| 5th | 0.861 |
| Reverse | 4.039 |
W40 Gear Ratios (4-Speed Manual)
| Gear | Ratio |
|---|---|
| 1st | 3.587 |
| 2nd | 2.022 |
| 3rd | 1.384 |
| 4th | 1.000 |
| Reverse | 4.039 |
Final Drive Ratios
| Model | Ratio |
|---|---|
| 18R (manual) | 3.909 |
| 18R-G (manual) | 3.727 |
| 18R (automatic) | 3.909 |
Differential
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Type | Open (standard); optional limited-slip on GT models |
Suspension
First Generation (A20)
| Component | Front | Rear |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Independent, MacPherson strut | Live axle, 4-link |
| Springs | Coil | Coil |
| Dampers | Telescopic hydraulic | Telescopic hydraulic |
| Anti-roll Bar | Yes (GT models standard; optional on others) | No (standard); optional on GT |
Second Generation (A40)
| Component | Front | Rear |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Independent, MacPherson strut | Live axle, 4-link |
| Springs | Coil | Coil |
| Dampers | Telescopic hydraulic | Telescopic hydraulic |
| Anti-roll Bar | Yes (standard on most) | Yes (GT models) |
Brakes
First Generation
| Component | Front | Rear |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Solid disc | Drum |
| Disc Diameter | 246 mm (9.7 in) | -- |
| Drum Diameter | -- | 228 mm (9.0 in) |
| Servo Assisted | Yes | -- |
| ABS | Not available | -- |
Second Generation
| Component | Front | Rear |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Ventilated disc (GT) / solid disc (ST) | Drum |
| Disc Diameter | 254 mm (10.0 in) | -- |
| Drum Diameter | -- | 228 mm (9.0 in) |
| Servo Assisted | Yes | -- |
| ABS | Not available | -- |
Steering
| Spec | First Gen | Second Gen |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Recirculating ball | Recirculating ball / Rack and pinion (late) |
| Power Assist | Optional (rare) | Optional |
| Turns Lock-to-Lock | 3.6 | 3.4 |
| Turning Circle | 10.0 m | 10.2 m |
Performance (Approximate, Period Road Tests)
| Model | 0--60 mph | 0--100 km/h | Quarter Mile | Top Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18R (single-cam, manual) | 12.0 s | 12.8 s | 18.2 s | 170 km/h (106 mph) |
| 18R-G (twin-cam, manual) | 9.5 s | 10.2 s | 17.0 s | 190 km/h (118 mph) |
| 2T-G (twin-cam, manual) | 10.0 s | 10.7 s | 17.5 s | 185 km/h (115 mph) |
| 18R (automatic) | 14.5 s | 15.5 s | 19.5 s | 160 km/h (99 mph) |
Fuel Economy (Approximate, Mixed Driving)
| Model | L/100 km | mpg (imperial) |
|---|---|---|
| 18R (single-cam) | 10.0 | 28 |
| 18R-G (twin-cam) | 11.0 | 26 |
| 2T-G (twin-cam) | 9.5 | 30 |
| 18R (automatic) | 12.0 | 24 |
Tyre Specifications
| Generation | Standard | Optional |
|---|---|---|
| First gen (A20) | 175SR13 | 185/70R13 |
| Second gen (A40) | 175/70R13 | 185/70R14 |
Wheel Specifications
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Standard (A20) | 13" x 5" steel |
| Optional (A20 GT) | 13" x 5.5" alloy |
| Standard (A40) | 13" x 5" steel or 14" x 5.5" steel |
| Optional (A40 GT) | 14" x 5.5" alloy |
| Bolt Pattern | 4 x 114.3 |
Electrical
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| System | 12V negative earth |
| Battery | 12V, 50 Ah |
| Charging | Alternator, 40--55A |
| Headlights | Round sealed beam (A20), rectangular (A40) |
Service Intervals
| Service Item | Interval |
|---|---|
| Engine oil and filter | 5,000--7,500 km or 6 months |
| Valve clearance adjustment | 20,000 km |
| Contact breaker points (pre-electronic) | 10,000 km |
| Spark plugs | 20,000 km |
| Air filter | 20,000 km |
| Timing chain inspection | 80,000 km |
| Coolant | 24 months |
| Brake fluid | 24 months |
| Gearbox oil | 40,000 km |
| Differential oil | 40,000 km |
| Carburettor service | 20,000 km |
| Twin carburettor synchronisation (18R-G) | 10,000 km |
Model Variants
First Generation (A20, 1970--1977)
ST (18R Single-Cam)
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Engine | 18R (1,968cc SOHC) |
| Power | 72 kW (97 hp) |
| Equipment | Standard trim, 5-speed manual |
GT (18R-G Twin-Cam)
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Engine | 18R-G (1,968cc DOHC) |
| Power | 82 kW (110 hp) |
| Equipment | Sport trim, twin carburettors, alloy wheels, LSD (optional) |
GT (2T-G Twin-Cam, Some Markets)
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Engine | 2T-G (1,588cc DOHC) |
| Power | 85 kW (115 hp) |
| Equipment | Sport trim, twin carburettors |
Second Generation (A40/A50, 1977--1981)
ST (18R Single-Cam)
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Engine | 18R (1,968cc SOHC) |
| Power | 72 kW (97 hp) |
| Equipment | Standard trim |
GT (18R-G/18R-GU Twin-Cam)
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Engine | 18R-G (1,968cc DOHC, carburettor) or 18R-GU (EFI) |
| Power | 82 kW (110 hp) |
| Equipment | Sport trim, alloy wheels, upgraded brakes |
Production Numbers (Worldwide, Approximate)
| Generation | Units |
|---|---|
| First generation (A20, all variants) | ~1,000,000 |
| Second generation (A40/A50, all variants) | ~850,000 |
| Total | ~1,850,000 |
Spot something wrong?
Know the correct spec for a Celica (A20/A40)? Help us keep this reference accurate. Corrections and additions welcome.
Submit a correction