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Toyota's first foray in the United States motorsports resulted in a brief but successful effort with Carroll Shelby and the 2000 GT in SCCA's C-Production class in the late 1960's. But their first real attempt at professional road racing resides right here in this Celica.
The project began in Japan with two cars built for FIA GT racing by Toyota Racing Development. They were subsequently shipped to Toyota Motor Sales in the United States and the plan was hatched to go GT racing in the professional ranks with a partially funded team.
The cars used a racing version of Toyota's twin-cam 4-cylinder engine known as the 3R-G. Using mechanical fuel injection, the little four-banger cranked out 290+ horsepower.
The rules required that the cars maintain the original structure and layout and TRD made good use of the basic Celica platform to create a light and sturdy body/chassis.
Former CanAm and Trans-Am champion George Follmer was first to race the Celica toward the end of the 1981 IMSA season in the GTU class. He and nephew Mike Follmer finished 6th in their first race.
Kent Racing picked up the program for 1982 and regular drivers Rick Knoop and Lee Mueller quickly showed the car's potential. They garnered several podium finishes and nearly took home the gold on occasion.
Major changes occurred in 1983 when Toyota began what was to become a long and successful partnership with Dan Gurney and his All American Racers. AAR further modified the Celicas to better compete with the Mazda RX-7s and Datsun Z cars of the day.
Their work paid off quickly as they found victory in just their second race at the Times Grand Prix in Riverside, California. Wally Dallenbach, Jr., Whitney Ganz and Dennis Aase savored the Champaign, while actor Gene Hackman and Margie Smith-Haas brought the sister car home in 5th place.
The project began in Japan with two cars built for FIA GT racing by Toyota Racing Development. They were subsequently shipped to Toyota Motor Sales in the United States and the plan was hatched to go GT racing in the professional ranks with a partially funded team.
The cars used a racing version of Toyota's twin-cam 4-cylinder engine known as the 3R-G. Using mechanical fuel injection, the little four-banger cranked out 290+ horsepower.
The rules required that the cars maintain the original structure and layout and TRD made good use of the basic Celica platform to create a light and sturdy body/chassis.
Former CanAm and Trans-Am champion George Follmer was first to race the Celica toward the end of the 1981 IMSA season in the GTU class. He and nephew Mike Follmer finished 6th in their first race.
Kent Racing picked up the program for 1982 and regular drivers Rick Knoop and Lee Mueller quickly showed the car's potential. They garnered several podium finishes and nearly took home the gold on occasion.
Major changes occurred in 1983 when Toyota began what was to become a long and successful partnership with Dan Gurney and his All American Racers. AAR further modified the Celicas to better compete with the Mazda RX-7s and Datsun Z cars of the day.
Their work paid off quickly as they found victory in just their second race at the Times Grand Prix in Riverside, California. Wally Dallenbach, Jr., Whitney Ganz and Dennis Aase savored the Champaign, while actor Gene Hackman and Margie Smith-Haas brought the sister car home in 5th place.
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Recent Sales of the Toyota Celica GTU
(Data based on Model Year 1983 sales)
Toyota Celica GTUs That Failed To Sell At Auction
1983 Toyota Celica GTU's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
| Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
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1983 Toyota Celica GTU
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