Preserving the originality of a limited-production 1985 Toyota GT-S Convertible to ensure it remains in as-built condition.
Hard to believe that this Toyota Celica GT-S is now recognized as a collector car, and a noteworthy one at that. Even harder to consider is that it’s almost 40 years old! It seems like only yesterday streets everywhere were bustling with Celicas. Sadly, not many remain, especially in the condition of our feature car. But back in the day, they were simply ordinary automobiles that were driven daily in all kinds of weather. No wonder it’s a rare sight to see one on the road today.
Even rarer is the fact that this stylish Toyota still wears the same red paint that was applied at the factory when it was first being built. Same with its upholstery, carpeting, and its engine and drivetrain; even its black canvas convertible top is original and has remained in superb condition. If ever there was an example of a well-preserved, unrestored survivor, this Celica is it.
Having made the decision to find a Celica GT-S Convertible, Don Gilbert of Palm City, Florida, was perusing the cars-for-sale classifieds on Craigslist in 2019 and saw this GT-S for sale in Orlando. The two-hour drive to view the car revealed it be an excellent example of the breed, and Don purchased the Toyota on the spot. “There wasn’t a spec of rust anywhere, and it never had any bodywork done to it,” Don recalled. “Even though it’s only a 1985 model, cars like this, especially in this condition, are getting harder to find. Nothing beats the appeal and character of a well-kept car that’s never been restored. I had to have it!”
Celica convertibe’s very sporty and attractive appearance.
During the 1980s, Toyota offered several different models, each designed to suit different buyers’ tastes and needs. Since its inception for the 1970 model year, the Celica has always been Toyota’s top performing sporty model for those buyers seeking a durable but exhilarating driving experience. As noted in the Toyota brochure: “The Celica lineup includes GT-S and GT Liftbacks and Sport Coupes as well as the very affordable ST Sport Coupe. And, for 1985, Toyota announces the ultimate fun-in-the-sun machine, the Celica GT-S Convertible. Celica has what it takes, whether winding its way through tree-lined country roads or catching admiring glances on the boulevard. Best of all, it has the unmatched quality and durability of traditional Toyota craftsmanship.” And that’s the beauty of owning a car such as this Celica; they really are well built automobiles backed by engineering excellence. Unlike many older cars, you can leave troublesome problems behind when you hit the road.
This 1985 Celica GT-S is the last year of the fourth-generation models, which were produced from 1981 to 1985; it’s also the last year of the rear-wheel-drive models, which is a desirable plus. When Toyota decided to offer the Celica as a convertible, they contracted with the American Sunroof Company to transform hardtop Celica’s into convertibles at their production facility in Rancho Dominguez, California. Cars that were scheduled to be transformed into convertibles had their unitized bodies reinforced in Japan while on the assembly line. Offered for only two years – 1984 and 1985 – during the first year only 200 Celica convertibles were built. However, demand was such, production increased dramatically with 4,248 examples being made for the 1985 model year.
Like all GT-S models, this Celica is powered by Toyota’s 2.4-liter single-overhead-cam 22R-E inline four-cylinder engine. With its Electronic Fuel Injection, it produces a fairly healthy 116 horsepower at 4,800 RPM, and 140-ft.lbs. of torque at a very useable 2,800 RPM. While that may not seem like a lot of horsepower, in spite of its 2,975-lb. mass, it has plenty of get up and go. Many GT-S’ that were built had 5-speed gearboxes, while others, like our feature car, came equipped with the four-speed automatic transmission.
As to the Toyota’s distinctive shape and rugged good looks, Don is smitten with the car’s design. He told us: “I like the Celica’s pop-up headlamps, the interior design and its comfortable seats, and its slight wedge shape of its front end. I drove a friend’s Celica convertible in the early ‘90s and I really like it, and since then I always wanted to own one because they drive so nice. And they’re bullet-proof, too. It’s the type of old car you can drive anywhere at a moment’s notice and not worry about breaking down. They are very reliable.”
What Don appreciates most about his Toyota Celica is its originality, and the fact that it’s an honest car that hadn’t been messed with. He also owns a 1972 Lotus Europa Twin Cam and a 1972 Mustang convertible with a 351-cu.in. V-8 and the décor package, both of which are in excellent condition, but both cars have been restored. So, it’s not surprising to learn that Don is quite proud of his Toyota’s incredible originality. “This particular example had been very well kept and had a good service history, which is important to me because it shows the car had been well cared for. Most importantly, all of its exterior paint is original to the car. This proves it hadn’t been in any accidents or had any rust repair. Everything remains exactly as it rolled off the assembly line. It’s getting harder to find high-quality, honest cars such as this. Its condition truly is exceptional.”
Adding to this Toyota’s authenticity, the well-preserved hoses are original including all the OEM hose clamps, which is something you don’t see very much nowadays. The radiator cap still retains its yellow caution sticker that was applied at the factory, and so do all the other ancillary components. Seeing original, factory-applied stickers and decals is more proof positive that the car has been so well taken care of. Even the ignition coil and battery cables are original, and the factory-applied red paint on the shock towers and throughout the engine bay remains in excellent condition without any tell-tale signs of corrosion; most amazing is that it still shines!
Perfectly preserved upholstery and carpeting still look brand new, while the two-spoke steering wheel is perfectly positioned for a very comfortable driving experience.
Being somewhat of a perfectionist, Don hired a body specialist to remove several minor dings and dents using the paintless dent removal method because he was adamant that the Toyota’s original red paint had be preserved. Then he thoroughly detailed the car himself to the point where it can now win awards, which it did at the Wheels & Keels show in Vero Beach last year, taking home First Place in the original 1960s-‘90s class. Yes, this 37-year-old Toyota shows that well.
To maintain the car in the best possible way and preserve its originality and integrity, the Toyota is kept inside a climate-controlled garage. Driven about 1,000 miles annually, Don makes sure to fill the tank with REC-90 ethanol-free gas, so the fuel system doesn’t get ruined, thus ensuring the engine performs at its optimal best; the way it was engineered to perform. And only Valvoline VR1 racing oil is used as its high zinc formula provides maximum protection against internal engine wear.
Power windows and cargo nets behind front seats add to the Celica’s well-appointed interior.
Upon opening the engine lid, an aftermarket strut-tower brace comes into view, which Don will soon be painting black so it will better blend into the engine bay, and a set of aftermarket blue spark plug wires will soon be replaced with correct black ignition wires. “Even though it’s not factory-installed equipment, I’m not going to remove the strut-tower brace,” Don told us. “It really does help reduce cowl shake, which many convertibles with unit bodies suffer from. Besides, it easily unbolts, so it’s not a permanent modification.”
After our photo shoot, Don tossed me the keys to his Celica GT-S, and we took it on a drive that was both pleasant and entertaining. Just like he revealed to me earlier, it drives like a modern car, and has a solid, tight feeling about it; and there’s no cowl shake, which is a welcome relief as some convertibles with unitized bodies can be annoying to drive, especially over rough pavement.
With its wide, stock-size 225/60HR14-inch radials, it corners very well and exhibits neutral handling manners thanks to its MacPherson struts up front and independent rear suspension and rear-wheel-drive. And with its four-wheel disc brakes, it stops quickly without any pulling or binding. It’s also equipped with variable assist power rack-and-pinion steering that provides the driver with the right amount of steering feel, and without any dead spots in its rotation. Like we mentioned earlier, this Celica drives just like a modern car, but has a lot more character, and it won’t get lost in the crowd thanks to its individual shape which we find most attractive.
Anything that can be done to maintain this Toyota’s originality will be done, regardless of cost. Like many other enthusiasts – myself included – who are finally recognizing the value of older Toyotas, and many other Japanese cars of this ilk, Don understands the importance of cars such as this Celica. “It’s such an enjoyable car to drive, and I never have to worry about it breaking down, which I used to do when I drove my Triumph Spitfire. And even though it’s a convertible, it has air conditioning, which is a must here in South Florida. This Celica GT-S is the best modern, old car I ever owned!”
