1stGenCelica.com

Hi Guys,

Here is my project car, a 1975 Celica GTV.(My first car)

Pretty banged up. Seems to have rammed into a tree or something because all the original front parts have been replaced with other...stuff.



Have already done the engine overhaul and replaced the clutch and suspension.
Pending is the bodywork. No smiley bumpers available, not to mention indicator lights for the TA22.
Plan on doing panel replacements from a grounded RA 29 fastback with the raised bonnet.




Glad to see lots of celica fans out there. Will be sending updates since its progressed abit since then...
Am new to the classic car culture and loving every bit of it!!

Cheers



Cheers,
Moses

welcome te the forum,
where are you from?
nice project

Hi Faffi,

Am based in Kenya.
Used to see the celicas while growing up, now they've disappeared.

Most of my friends have new 4door saloons. Hope to be the coolest one with the oldest ride.

Thanks for the warm welcome.

Cheers Man.

mosesmulwa wrote:Hi Faffi,

Am based in Kenya.
Used to see the celicas while growing up, now they've disappeared.

Most of my friends have new 4door saloons. Hope to be the coolest one with the oldest ride.

Thanks for the warm welcome.

Cheers Man.

you can be sure off that you'll be the one with the coolest ride.
bumpers you'll find them on the internet or in fiberglas
btw your front is very special looks from peugeot do you have better photo's from the front

Welcome...lots of knowledgeable and friendly folks here...I too am new to the classic Celica scene and have been learning a lot from the folks here...PEACE!

Hi Guys,

The car's front has a bumper that I believe came from a Volkswagon beetle. (The old beetle). The lights/lenses probably from an Alfa Romeo GTV. (they have a flat surface instead of the convex curve).

The lense holders I have no idea what model of car they belong to But they seem to work. I'll use them before purchasing the lenses-and-holders.

Here are some more pics of the car...



Rust at the wiper area and chassis number area. Bad! Still sorted it out anyway...




Had to get rid of the bumper and side fenders. They had too much filler, rust and bends...
But the replacements were'nt any better. The bonnet-hood and fender-wings(also banged up) are from an RA29.







Okay, Yes I know. Lots of rust still on the car. This is not a rotisserie restoration.
I have to get it on the road first in good enough condition, drive it, enjoy it them... Perfect it in time...and with money.






Atleast it seems recognizable as a celica now. before the front had a my friends asking if it was a datsun? What?
Now there toyota written all over it. The crash bumper and parking lights have that toyota finger print about them.




Got carried away with the pics, the car has mis-fire issues. Runs on three- then four- cylinders. Stalls at the lights when doing test drives. New distributor? or can I nurse the current one? Please advise guys.

Thanks,
More updates later...

nothing wrong with getting carried away with pics

you are doing very well
your car starts to look back like how a 1stgen should look like

Hi, some more pics on the car...









Never mind the background. When its done I'll take some pics of the rift valley and some hills
Restoration is tough work. Much respect to the work I see you guys doing on your cars in this forum...RESPECT!!



Its still does not look aggressive enough at the front now. I plan on changing the lenses to bigger toyota ones.
The smiley bumper I will find here locally once the car can move around.




Cheers

nice work

Very nice work Moses, did you fab the front corner filler pcs yourself? Keep in mind if you find a front you will need to cut them (the fillers) a bit so best to fit them so they can be removed to trim (if it's not too late, if so just ignore that suggestion).


Neil

Hi Neil,

Too late. When I get the smiley I'll have to do the body work again. The front-side panels were pretty banged up to begin with.
So not much will fit to trim without some panel beating,welding and filler. Checkout also what had to be done to the rear bumper. Filler filler filler. I don't mind....Love the feedback though-thanks.









Cheers

Hi Guys,

An update on the car.

Picked it up from the Garage this weekend.
Had to drive it some 150km. This turned out to be at night. Bummer because she was not charging and drained the battery.
Wiring is a problem...but she still got me home.

Pending issues.
1.Very stiff steering...replaced the ball joints and tie rods with new ones. But she's still stiff?
2.Wiring...Lights draining the batteries...need checking.
3.Brake booster need replacing...feels old..

But that little 2T pulls so well I keep smiling when I remember the trip back from the garage. And the sound too.
Thats alot of soul in that car. Alot.

Cosmetically she need.
1. Side mirrors.
2.Lenses and grill for the front.
3. Deep dish chromes...eventually when I get the dollars!!!

Am glad there's an online community to share this with, here are some pics...








Cheers All..

car turned out great!!!

loving the color!

Moses, You are part magician part artist and 100% talented. I wish I had your skills.

Great Job
Neil