1992 Toyota Celica GT4-RC

[Geordie]

My latest purchase. Bought yesterday, but will have to wait for collection from Colchester until I'm out of plaster. It's a 1992 Toyota Celica GT4-RC. One of only 5000 RC's made, this was imported in 1998 from Cyprus. Only 76K, full MOT with only three advisories (a slightly frayed seat belt and two stone chips).

As a JDM version (1800 of the 5000 were for the Japanese market) it has electric folding mirrors, electric lumbar adjustment and Aircon rather than the European climate control (iirc). Running 235bhp as standard when new.

[willowandmikey]

Massive amounts of like !!

[starionturbo]

Awesome cars, I used to have a white CS #2735. A lot of the RC's lose their numbers coming from Japan, being from Cyprus does this still have its number plaque in front of the gear stick?

[darrenh]

fantastic so am i right in saying this had a few updates like 205 style charge cooler and bonnet ?

[jimbo1989]

Aaaaah the old gt4. Ive got a cs rep tucked away and its not the first one ive owned. Loads of fun owning these and still got quite alot of spares so if ya need anything ill do my best to help out

[Geordie]

Jul 2, 2013 16:46:44 GMT starionturbo said:

Awesome cars, I used to have a white CS #2735. A lot of the RC's lose their numbers coming from Japan, being from Cyprus does this still have its number plaque in front of the gear stick?

I've spoken to the guy I have bought it from, and your hunch was correct, it's lost it's badge

Thanks for the nice comments guys. I think it'll be a different beast to the 200bhp Saab 9000 I have just sold.

[Geordie]

It's a JDM model, imported into the UK in 1998 via an owner in Cyprus.

[Geordie]

Well, I couldn't wait a month until I was out of plaster to collect this, so I have organised delivery for this Wednesday. Can't wait.

[starionturbo]

Forgot I'd posted a thread about the work i done/had done to mine, its here if you want to read it:

retrorides.proboards.com/thread/69814/1992-st185-2735-massive-update

There's very little I don't know about them so if you need help/advise feel free to get in touch, I do miss mine

[Geordie]

Thanks for the offer of help. You'll probably regret making the offer one day lol

I made myself a big mug of coffee and read through your CS thread. An awesome project, well documented. But it kind of just stops. What happened? It was a great looking car....

[Geordie]

Well, after feeling that I was being given the runaround by the transport company, I eventually received the GT4-RC two days late on Friday.

First pics after delivery..























On Sunday we took it for a 60 mile blast through the North York Moors. Obviously, as I am in plaster for another week at least, Julie did the driving. She 'gets' cars, and has owned E30's, XR4x4's, MG Metro's etc in the past. Which is good. I have to say, it was the best time I have had in a passenger seat...ever! The Celica feels sure and planted, sounds great and goes like stink. I can't wait to get a drive of it. It's handy to have roads like these to 'test' it out...









Brilliant driving location.

Like most 21 year old cars, there are a few bits and pieces to sort..













All quite easily sortable.

Lovely Celica shag-pile mats lol



Great 10 speaker stereo as confirmed by this in the door card



JDM folding wing mirrors



JDM electric seat bolster and lumbar adjustment



Momo factory steering wheel



So overall, I'm immensely chuffed to have this, and can't wait to get driving it...

[Geordie]

I was itching to do something today, and thought no plaster cast was going to stop me washing and polishing the GT4. Out came the camping mattress to lie on whilst washing/polishing, and here's the results...











I feel better

[starionturbo]

That is a lovely looking car with a lot of potential, no wonder you're pleased with it. As to what happened with mine, I fitted the holy grail of wheels, 17" OZ roulettes, fitted an uprated fuel pump and actuator, had her remapped to 322bhp and 346ft/lb and drover her like that for about a year then sold her on to the next owner. I'd be lying if i said I didn't miss her, but I do love her replacement so its not all bad.

I don't know where in the country you are, but if you'r anywhere near Blackburn then you're lucky to be near the best GT4 mechanic in the country in my opinion, Martin Kingston. Anything you want to know or have done if you can't do it your self, he's your man.

[Geordie]

I'm on Teesside mate, so only about an hour and a half to Blackburn if necessary. Thanks for the info.

[Geordie]

Replaced the front UK style number plate with a more fitting J import stylee one. Rear one will be replaced with a newer, less scabby one at some point.

[homeforsummer]

Lots of want for this. Was just looking at them online the other day actually. Would kill me not being able to drive it straight away!

[Geordie]

Jul 18, 2013 16:09:34 GMT homeforsummer said:

Would kill me not being able to drive it straight away!

Matey, you have no idea how frustrating it is. Painful lol. The cast comes off on Monday, so hopefully I'll get the thumbs up to drive again.

I am getting a quote for the various bits of bodywork tomorrow. I'm thinking to get it sorted could be north of £400.

[Geordie]

Amazing what a difference the small things make. I removed the Carlos Sainz sticker yesterday (it's an RC, not a CS after all!), and today replaced the chopped, botched, wonky rear number plate with a proper sized import one...

Before...



After...



Much cleaner. The TRD badge will also be removed next week when it is booked in to get all the bodywork sorted.

[Geordie]

Update on the Celica. My plaster came off last week, and I've been driving it since Saturday when I collected it from the bodyshop. Really is a beast of a car. Great power delivery, and feels fantastically planted. As for the bodywork, he's done a great job. All the dents, rust, lacquer peel and faded paint has been sorted. Some pics...

Before



After..



Before..



After..



Before..



After..



Before..



After..



Faded bumper..



Now a nice bumper..



Random pics..











Pics from today after it's first 'post respray' wash...

















Fitted this snazzy JVC double din head unit yesterday. Sounds great through the ten speaker factory upgrade option...

[Blown_Imp]

Looks lovely! Well done on getting those bits of bodywork sorted out, so many would have been put off by it but look at the difference! So do you have any plans for modifying? I can recommend BC coilovers, they are incredible on my ST205, compliant and comfortable whilst still providing excellent grip and composure.

Keep it up!

J