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1977 Toyota Celica GT Liftback

13144 Views 75 Replies 25 Participants Last post by  jdmpwr07
I recently purchased Brent's newly-acquired Celica GT, and wanted to start a build thread. Many (including my wife) thought that it was ridiculous to buy a car such as this, but it's one of those cars that I've grown up around and after my first experience around one (and also a 1980 Celica), thanks to my neighbor owning both - I thought that if I ever had any extra money, I'd purchase one sometime. Part of my mentioning to Brent that was with the money that I purchased this vehicle, he would use it to handle his 1975 and get back on the path. I'm glad that I could assist him with this one, due to the fact that I hate to see such a special project stalled.

When Brent initially posted this car I thought to myself, "Christ... That's a lot of money... what am I going to do with this thing should I purchase it? What could I do with the money had I decided to save-save-save?" Upon hashing through this, I decided to sit on it for an evening. Looking at other Celicas online (and Datsun 510s, because I have always wanted one of those), I decided to bite the bullet and go ahead and purchase Brent's car, due to the fact that it was local, I knew Brent, and the car was a great color. Many will say, "Just paint it whatever you want", but it's not as easy as that. I was tired of seeing YELLOW and BROWN Celicas. Every single one that I saw was some color that just sucked. Finding out that Brent's had working A/C was a big thing for me - because every one that I'd ever seen had none, or it was broken.

Sometimes, it's just fun to purchase/restore something from your childhood. So, with that being said - this is going to be a HARD project, but I've already gotten started with a parts list and purchased many other items from Roman at Toyota, and Rick at TOYHEAD (Classic Toyota Restoration).


Vehicle - 1977 Toyota Celice GT Liftback (Blue on White Interior)

--ORDER--


Performance Category

-Front Strut Tower Brace Adjustable (Whiteline Type)
-Front Camber/Caster Adjustable Strut Tower Plates
-Camber Plate Upper Hat System
-Front Strut Rods
-Front Sway Bar (Adjustable)
-Rear Sway Bar (Adjustable)
-Rear Axle Traction Brackets
-Rear Pan Hard Rod with Adjustable Settings
-Performance Lowering Coil Spring Set


Bushing Category

-Front Lower Control Arm Bushings (extra)
-Rear Upper and Lower Control Arm Bushings


Interior Category

-Dash Pad Restore Kit + Adhesive
-Shift Boot (Leather)
-Complete Carpet Rug Set (Passenger Compartment F and R)
-Rear Cargo Area Carpet Set
-Brake and Clutch Foot Pedal Rubber Covers
-Interior Door Handle Bezels (White)
-Clips for Interior Panels
-Door Glass Window Crank (X 2)
-Door Crank Retaining Clip (X 2)
-Plastic Washer Under Door Crank


Exterior Category

-Door Hinge Repair Kit/Pin Kit
-Grille Mounting Clips
-Door Bumper Rubber (X 2)
-Hood Adjustable Rubber Bumper (X 2)
-Rear Side Marker Lens (X 2)
-Plastic Clips for Rocker Mouldings (PLEASE INCLUDE PROPER COUNT, as I am unsure)
-Antenna Replacement Kit (Pillar Mount)


Drivetrain/Clutch/Transmission/Rear Diff Category

-Clutch Slave Cylinder
-Clutch Master Cylinder
-Transmission Mount


Steering/Suspension/Brakes/Bearing Category

-Front Control Arm (R and L sides)
-Steering Idler Arm Assembly
-Steering Tie Rod (Inner)
-Steering Tie Rod (Outer)
-High Performance Front and Rear Braided Stainless Brake Line Kit
-Brake Master Cylinder Complete Assembly (with reservoir cups, caps, and sensors)
-Brake Rotors (OEM Type)
-Brake Pads (OEM Type)
-Brake Caliper/Piston Assembly (X 2 for Front) (My car will have 14 inch wheels)

Wheels

TRD Tosco or Hoshinos...






Roman at Beaman Toyota was nice enough to help me once again. This time, instead of purchasing things out of necessity due to them being broken or destroyed, the route was more of an, "I'd like to have this part, it'd be much better than putting the original back on the car" scenario. Weatherstripping and Mouldings are ordered, along with some other items. THANK YOU, Roman - you really helped me out on this one.

When the parts come in the mail (or into Beaman for pickup), I'll post pictures.

The car is still in Murfreesboro, so I'll be getting it this weekend and plan to remove the interior and engine/driveline over the next two weeks (whenever I can find the time). Paint and body come shortly afterwards. The car will remain the original color, and as far as the interior - it will have period-correct parts, minus whatever I cannot source.

No bitching about pictures of the car - you all already know what it looks like (if you don't, check Brent's thread)

P.S. - Be sure to hang on the COUCH for more updates. (LAWL)
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First update...

After an uneventful ride home from Murfreesboro, I realized I spent way too much on ab almost 40 year old pos celica.



sorry moody. i'm trashed, but it sounded right.













love you, mean it.
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Nah man... In the grand scene of things, I did. But, Brent came out well, I got a car that I've always wanted, which was a fair price for comparison as to what's on the market right now.

$4,000.00 seems like a lot, and it is, but not when you buy something so simple that makes you so happy.
Can't put a price tag on something that makes you happy, it's why i stopped counting anything I toss into the Supra.
Quick shots. It's hard to balance children, dinner, and removing the rest of the interior. But! It's done at least.









Gross, lol.
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Awesome! 5lbs of dry ice and a big hammer will take all that old sound deadening out quickly. Mine weighed almost 70lbs.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk - now Free
The first of the suspension pieces arrived, today.

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It's always nice to get car parts in.
Nice! Great Products! Cant wait to put mine to use again. HA
Sorry for the crap-picture. Typically I like to lay things out in a nicer manner, but I'm strapped for space and need to keep the new parts away from the old parts. That happened one time with a MKIII in my driveway - interfered with my MKIV parts, and the MKIV started to rust. Can't have that happening, here.
Small update:

I've gotten all of my stuff in (other parts) but haven't had the time to lay it all out and take pictures. The car is at a buddy's and getting body work and welding done as of today, and they've made some good progress - they're really on the ball with this, which is nice as it was unexpected based on my past experiences.

Quick pictures of the job(s); I'll post finals when the work is completed and cleaned up.












I can't wait to go check the car out in-person this weekend. Not included are pictures of the floor pans (they were solid), and the sound deadening that they removed. Paint will be coming a lot sooner than I had originally thought - more than likely in the next few weeks.
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Race to see who's on the road first? lol Just kidding. You'll win.

Love seeing the progress happen so quickly!
I assume this work is being done at Coffey Fabrication? :rofl:
I assume this work is being done at Coffey Fabrication? :rofl:
Shit. :rofl:
I assume this work is being done at Coffey Fabrication? :rofl:
- Ha!
I assume this work is being done at Coffey Fabrication? :rofl:
:rofl: I actually did laugh...
Cool build! I need to post up a few pics of the '75 I purchased a few months ago.
who's doing the body work and who do you plan on using for paint?
who's doing the body work and who do you plan on using for paint?

Wondering the same.
Cool build! I need to post up a few pics of the '75 I purchased a few months ago.
??? Details ???
I assume this work is being done at Coffey Fabrication? :rofl:
Yeah. :rofl: While I will not actively attempt to hurt his business, he will never receive money from me for paid work. I already saw the true side with our last verbal encounter.

This is a friend of a friend whom has a great portfolio.
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