85 Celica GT-S ragtop....thoughts?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1985-Toyota-Celica-GT-S-Convertible-FUN-FUN-FUN-/190651320026?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item2c63b446da#ht_500wt_1182

Curious of experiences and impressions of the old RA65's.

thanks guys, mark

no convertible input...but that powertrain and chassis (with roof) are unstoppable

slow but unstoppable

GTS=IRS too....nice

A car that is far better with a roof.

The ONLY convertible Celica i'd consider would be the 2nd gen "Sunchaser."

The '85 Celica started life as a hardtop and then once in the US were converted for Toyota by ASC (I think.) May not be the stiffest for autocross but I have always loved these cars. Not a fast car but a stout and reliable engine.
I think the one listed here is missing one of the best features which is the factory rims.

In reply to 92CelicaHalfTrac:

What's so bad about these again? 22RE which isn't exactly exciting (or that great on gas) but these shouldn't have a stiffness problem, do they? I looked at them a while back and liked what I heard...

HalfTrac - oh man....every car is better WITHOUT a roof!!!

jrw - already found a set...close too.

pres - it looks like the rockers/sills are beefy to the extreme on the one I linked.

I just love that angular japanese 80's goodness

pres589 wrote: In reply to 92CelicaHalfTrac: What's so bad about these again? 22RE which isn't exactly exciting (or that great on gas) but these shouldn't have a stiffness problem, do they? I looked at them a while back and liked what I heard...

They're fugly and probably heavier than the normal variant. I doubt they're as stiff as a hardtop either... Toyota never designed these to be convertibles.

mthomson22 wrote: HalfTrac - oh man....every car is better WITHOUT a roof!!! jrw - already found a set...close too. pres - it looks like the rockers/sills are beefy to the extreme on the one I linked. I just love that angular japanese 80's goodness

We'll have to agree to disagree there.... i prefer to think that every convertible could be improved with a real roof.

My 84GT would get 34-36 on the highway with intake and exhaust, I wouldn't call that bad mileage. The vert wont do quite that well but I doubt it will be bad. The only reason 22r's don't normally get good mileage is because they are normally in pickem-up trucks.

I've always had a soft spot for the ASC made convertible Celicas. Yes, they're undoubtedly worse driving cars than when they came from the factory, but as a kid growing up in south Florida nothing was cooler than a convertible and these were so rare compared to the competition that I just loved them when I saw them.

I've always thought that those were the best looking convertible Celicas.

The super-comfy seats are shared with the Supra too. Fantastic, but they don't hold up to age too well.

Hi again Mark! I had a steel top. Like a Timex it took a licking and kept on ticking. The thing was absolutely bulletproof and the 22R was never opened up in almost 200K miles. Funny you bring this up---with our group's talk of creating a just for grins "Cougar Class" I've found myself longing for one...even been scouring CL and e-bay occasionally!

Jeff

30's on the highway isn't too shabby, I expected less, and I think these really do look the business. And they're probably much easier to work on than my SN95...

hmmmm, it also appears to be missing the rear flares...

If you look carefully, these are not that unusual, and this one isn't likely worth $3000+

I have never seen one of these.. Have seen the sunchasers though

I've had an '85 Celica GT for my DD on and off for a couple years now. As everyone has said the driveline is pretty bulletproof. However, the electronics are semi-unique to 1985, so be aware that if you blow a MAF or TPS or something like that it might be hard to locate replacements.

You guys are great. I appreciate all of the feedback, And mostly positive, which is good.

Jeff - I hadn't thought of that, but this could be a decent contender for the Cougar Crown

oldeskewltoy - hmmm I believe you're right. I need to check into that, or spares availability.