1997 Toyota Celica GT4 Alltrac Rally, the real deal

1980 Toyota Celica GT4 Description

1997 Toyota Celica. If you have scrolled down to this description, then you know you may have stumbled upon a unicorn. Yes, this is the real deal. Skylines are cool, but more common, much more common! This is the 3rd and last generation Alltrac Celica. It was Toyota’s last rally car. It is built for abuse with a bullet proof drivetrain and suspension. People with the earlier Alltrac Celicas pay to import this transmission and rear differential. This is already factory installed! Examples of it in New Zealand and Australia are often very molested and beat, but still running Sadly, this model trophy car was never imported to North America. Until now.

There was one loophole and this one slipped through it. Here in Alaska, apparently our Japanese diplomat brought over his personal car, this GT4, in the late 90’s. In order to have it “official,” he apparently had all the things done to make it legal (glad I didn’t pay for all that!). So it has dual airbags, ABS, daytime running lights, and whatever was needed to get the stickers issued approving it for US Federal safety, theft, and emission standards in the US. He even had the speedometer changed to display miles. It still has his Japanese aftermarket cool radio in it that only goes up to FM 98. This means if you listen to FM 105, you’re out of luck! Thus, I have a clear, clean Alaska title ready to be registered in any other state (likely not California, of course!).

It is completely stock and has a practically perfect interior and exterior. Winter tires are like new on 16” rims. I also have 17" Speedline rims if you want those mounted instead. Having the taller sidewall helps in the snow and I didn't get around to changing them to the 17" rims this summer. A/C is ice cold. TheTRD side skirts are factory installed. The 12 digit VIN has been expanded to 17 numbers for Ebay along with changing it to a 1980 model so they would accept the listing.

A few features which are pretty stock for this model Celica:

Power windows

Rear wiper

Power mirrors that power fold in too.

Rear strut brace (factory).

Sunroof delete – stiffer body.

2.0 Turbo twin entry, 5 speed (smooth and perfect).

New front struts.

New brakes all around.

Windshield is practically perfect with NO cracks or bullseyes.

Here is the list of the “bad”:

Slight rock ding in front on hood– I’d have to point it out because it is so small, but no missing paint.

The bezel cover for the sunglass holder in the headliner is missing. I might find it before you get it, but no promises!

There was a previous silver paint touch up done with a small brush on the leading side of the driver's door. I haven't done any touching up myself, so it's not my fault someone did a poor job! One of the pics show that "repair." It's not bad, and I don't really notice it unless I bend down and look right there!

At 63K miles, it is due for a timing belt according to Toyota.

The clutch will slip if you spool the turbo hard in 4th or 5th gear. It’s not noticeable in the lower gears unless you romp on it, but the clutch should be scheduled as well. I drive it around, even in the winter. It is the best fun drifter car I have driven – smooth, balanced, and predicable. No, I don’t toast my tires - this is in snow covered school parking lots at nights in winter! Understand, I drive this car. I don’t fear driving it ANYwhere all year and never abused. But it is also likely one of the best condition Celicas you’ll find and the only GT4 you’ll find for sale in the US.

Included is a couple links to two videos of me walking around the car and looking under the carpet in the trunk. I know it is a long ways away to see a car, so I am trying to show you what I can so you’ll know very completely what you’re getting if you decide to bid. I think it is important to see as much “bad” as you can. The car doesn’t show any signs of any accidents. I took pics of the interior of the trunk with the rear panel removed so you can see nothing is hidden.

That’s it. Really! Even if it was a boring stock front wheel drive Celica, it is likely one of the finest examples around. No tears, hardly any noticeable wear or wrinkles in the upholstery. No rust. No leaks. Fresh Toyota fluids. I run 3K miles on synthetic oil and change it. It comes out golden every time. It uses no oil which is not surprising for a low mileage Toyota. Everything is there from the jack to the spare to the original Japanese flare secured under the dash. This was always a non-smoker car and has no smell at all.

These links below are for a video walk around.

https://youtu.be/pAnhMvVkVNE

https://youtu.be/lTnh3nsYJ4I

I even have the original sales brochure from Japan in 1997!

I can certainly provide more pictures if you need some. Texting can work. 9078857700.

Transportation can be 1500 - 2000 bucks anywhere in the US, or you can pick it up in Seattle cheaper if I drove it down there for you. Or you can drive it home from Anchorage, Alaska! I would not hesitate to drive it across Canada. I get better than 30 mpg if I keep it at 60. But that is what it was rated for in 1997.

Please don't let the fact that this car is in Alaska make you feel it is impossible to transport. It happens every day and I will work VERY diligently to make sure it makes it south smoothly.

In case you didn’t notice, it is a right hand drive car. This is completely legal in all states if that is a concern. Remember, mailmen are on the right side everyday! Oh, and the status factor of driving on the right is surprisingly cool. FYI, pedals are the same – clutch, brake, gas – just like the normal left side. Shift with your left hand instead.

...and of course, someone could buy it locally and I'll end the auction. Otherwise, next Sunday night, this car will be making plans to head south to some lucky person who wins it!

And as you can see, you have 14 days to get the funding after winning the auction. Feel free to contact me for more pics or whatever you feel you need. I am very responsive. Scott

Skyline, Supra, JDM, TRD, Alltrac, GT4