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Celica (A20/A40)

1970-1981 / Coupe / Liftback / Japan

// SPECIFICATIONS

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

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