1972 Toyota Celica Barn Find - Parked for 20 years!

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Published 2022-12-03
Driving this Celica in the canyons:    • Canyon Drive 18RG Dual Carb Celica  

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About Papadakis Racing
The Papadakis Racing team began drifting in 2004 and is the most winning team in Formula Drift history, earning the 2021, 2022 and 2015 championship titles with driver Fredric Aasbo, as well as back-to-back championships with driver Tanner Foust in 2007 and 2008.

This season, Fredric Aasbo returns to defend his title in the Rockstar Energy Toyota GR Supra, while Ryan Tuerck also returns to the team to drive the Toyota Corolla hatchback.

Team owner Stephan Papadakis is a legend of sport-compact racing who began building his reputation in the 1990s with the first front­-wheel­ drive, tube-­chassis drag car in the U.S. The team earned multiple records and championships in the discipline, turning in elapsed times and trap speeds previously thought unattainable in front­-drive drag cars. Papadakis' successes in front­-wheel drive were matched by his efforts in rear-­wheel drive when he campaigned just the fifth car to join the NHRA's Sport Compact 200 MPH club.

All Comments (21)
  • You know your old when you know everything/more about a 70's car someone is just discovering. Brought back so many memories watching this video. What a find!!!
  • Damn, 1st gen Celicas are the new hotness. Speed Academy, Sarah n Tuned, and Papadakis all building these at the same time. Are there any weirdos like me that like the dorky 2nd gens?
  • This car takes me back to my childhood in the late 70s. It's worth restoring, its a classic.👍
  • Still a good looking car after 50 years and I love pillarless doors. As for other generations of Celica, I love the GT4s (gen 5 & 6) and gen 7 (GT in US and T Sport in UK). All these cars have aged well (design-wise).
  • A great looking car of the 70's, known for their strong 5 speed gearbox. And the GTV 2lt twin cam 3valves/cylinder (Yamaha) racing developed head was sweet. I drove the '76 Celica for 10 years before rust started getting out of hand. What I realized is most of the Celicas rusted because it does not have a watertight window seal (it has brushes), and that water ends up sitting at the bottom of the doors, etc. Mine which I started restoring (then the landlord sold the house and I put it in storage) has the 18RGU motor (2litre). Only 200 of those motors where imported into Australia, so fairly rare, as many put turbos on them and blew them up with a stock lower end. But I was amazed at the revs I tuned into it, and the torque I was getting, but found the head gasket had a mismatch with one of the oil holes. Mine has two dual-throat Solex carbies that worked 'perfectly', and extractors. The last model before catalytic convertors where made mandatory in AUS, with a sports exhaust, lowered springs, momo style steering wheel. My in dash clock started working properly again after 4 years of ownership when I went for a longer drive to the snow. The head cam chain in 10 years of driving never had to be adjusted at all (ie. strong/durable), and the gearbox had no wear at all. The diff started to have play in it, and was told it could be shimmed by a specialist. The rubber window strips with chrome bits where still manufactured/purchasable in Australia through Clarke Rubber stores. And there was someone still making the plastic blinker lenses and door handles I think in Singapore a few years back. Oh, and it is period correct to put an upgraded radio/stereo and speakers in them. Cheers all ! [Admin of: 'Classic and Used Cars Supporters Group' (on facebook)]
  • @N0ENEMIES
    One of the handful of classic cars I've always wanted. Sounds amazing too
  • @nomadben
    Freaking awesome car, man! I loved watching this video. Definitely wouldn't mind seeing more footage on it.
  • @davej6222
    Neat car, thanks for posting. I have a ‘72 TE27 with a pile of oldschool TRD parts from when it was 2tg swapped in 1990, so nice to see another Toyota of the same era.
  • @GunsmithSid
    Beautiful find and I really like your enthusiasm for the build! I had a ‘73 as my first car 40 years ago - a family hand-me-down - and I loved it ❤️. The gauges don’t look upgraded, they were exactly the same on my car, and you twist the wiper control clockwise to spray the fluid. I had a Cibie quad setup for headlights on mine too - nice!
  • @CLANCY759
    I've got an '83 Celica Supra and seeing the ingenuity persisted from this era well through to my model is awesome. The seat belt and frameless windows are so cool. Glad you saved this beauty.
  • Congrats and welcome to the 1st gen Celica family. I saw Joji helped you acquired this gem. Can't wait to see updates and upgrades on this car. Speed Academy, Sarah n Tuned, and now you with 1st gens.
  • @Volksoner619
    That’s dope. My first car (back in 91) was a 76 celica gt hatch back I got for $125. All it needed was a fuel pump. I fixed it in the guys driveway and drove it home. Man I loved that car. I’d love to get another one but they’re so expensive now for a project.
  • @neonreign2988
    Wow, what a sick find and awesome restoration! I really like the design of this generation of Celica (as well as the GT Four ST205), and the specs are pretty impressive for a 2 liter engine back in the 70s! I love Toyota.
  • @gehringer37
    That is an awesome find!!! Love the look of the car!!! Please keep us updated on it!
  • @z32akm70
    I'm planning in following all your progress with this great find. You won't disappoint people.
  • Great memories... I learned to drive a stick in a 1975 Celica GT. I loved the synchromesh five speed. The factory suspension made for some exciting moments when going over a slight crest and corner. The Celica would swap ends under the right conditions but even with the low ponies could drift like a dream. I was waiting to restore that old Celica, original paint, no rust, garaged all its life, when my dad sold the car for $200. dollars. He wonders why our relationship is strained.
  • @MrSoremuscles
    Wow that last 5 seconds! What a tease! Can you do a driving review of the car? So we can hear more of it?