1991 Toyota Celica GT4 Widebody Import (ST185) *Sold £6,400*

MAKEToyota
MODELCelica GT4 Widebody Import (ST185)
REGISTRATIONH135 DKH
ENGINE SIZE1998
TRANSMISSIONManual
MILEAGE109,424
MOT EXPIRY DATE02/08/2023
CURRENT V5
COLOURBlue Grey Metallic
INTERIORGrey Fabric

1991 Toyota Celica GT4 Widebody Import (ST185) *Sold £6,400*

In stock

  • Extensive documented history
  • Last serviced in August 2022
  • Various upgrades
  • Will be supplied with a large collection of spares
  • Thousands spent
  • This 1991 Toyota Celica GT4 Widebody Import (ST185) sold for £6,400
  • Please scroll down the page to read a full description for this lot
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Description

  • Extensive documented history
  • Last serviced in August 2022
  • Various upgrades
  • Will be supplied with a large collection of spares
  • Thousands spent

Following the success of the Celica GT4 ST165, the Turbo 4WD ST185 would build on its predecessor’s foundations and be the class of the field throughout its three years of service in the World Rally Championship (WRC). It was the car to beat, scoring a hat trick of drivers’ titles for Carlos Sainz, Juha Kankkunen and Didier Auriol respectively. Of equal, if not greater, importance to the Japanese manufacturer was the fact that in 1993 the ST185 delivered Toyota its first ever WRC manufacturer’s championship, a feat it repeated in 1994.

History and Paperwork

This particular Celica GT4 right hand drive example was imported from Japan in 1998 by Distinctive Cars Ltd and subsequently converted to MPH. The export documentation is still present.  Our first UK owner kept the GT4 until 2006 at which time it was acquired by our vendor.

It was received with two sets of keys and the import documentation etc.  Our vendor has since built a very comprehensive file pack starting from 2006 including all the MOTs, every service receipt and invoice, in fact barring two service receipts that were not supplied by the Toyota specialist due to printer difficulties, every penny that has been spent on the car during our vendors ownership has a receipt present.  As you will see from the following description it is quite a substantial amount.

Exterior

The reason so many Celica GT4s were imported as opposed to buying UK examples was that all export market GT4 are wide-body Liftback models with flared arches, clearly a much more aggressive style that would suit the potent performance of these phenomenal cars.

With a selection of subtle and period upgrades this already very pretty car with its curvy body seemingly melted over the chassis and then moulded into shape by hand and that aggressive bonnet scoop has benefitted from our vendor fitting facelifted rear lights, Raybrig front lights and clear side repeaters giving it a slightly more modern look. With such a timeless design and the flip up headlights it really is a beautiful thing.  Our vendor stated that the original parts will be supplied with the car.

This bluish, grey metallic (paint code 182) example is now over thirty years old so expect a few blemishes on the bodywork here and there. What should be noted is that the inner and outer sill panels have been repaired and there is a documented image file of the work being carried out.

Finished in stone chip and grey paint, both sides could benefit from being resprayed in the blue grey metallic paintwork to bring the finish up to the rest of the bodywork’s standard, they can only be described as not quite factory finish.

But as our vendor has pointed out, they were repaired correctly and to last the test of time first and foremost, with all the rust cut out and replaced with new metal.  As also alluded to there are some other small areas that could do with some minor work, such as the lower lip of the front bumper which has started to show some flaking, there is also evidence of a slight crease in the offside rear quarter panel where it meets the bumper, other than a few other age-related nicks here and there this Celica GT4 presents extremely well.

Have a good look at the images and you will see for yourself that due to a full respray in the early part of our vendors ownership it is in pretty good shape.

Interior

Slide into that figure hugging front seat and you will be impressed with how comfortable yet sporty these interiors actually are. Finished in grey cloth with no rips or tears you would be forgiven for thinking the car is ten years old not thirty.  The door pads are in great condition with no sagging or collapsed armrests, the roof lining is the same with no sagging but could do with a clean, it should be noted that the A pillar trim is not the best and could do with some attention.  Whilst discussing the roof it was noted that the sunroof tilts but does not slide, our vendor believes it to be a relay issue.

The centre consul has a slight nick in it and you will see from the images that the double din space has been fitted with a single din Kenwood stereo.  The vendor shared that he purchased the car without a head unit and went about fitting the Kenwood head unit and upgrading the sound system with new speakers including a subwoofer and amps alongside a CD changer unit, you see that they have all been fitted professionally in the boot area with an invoice covering £500 in labour alone.  Again, the standard parts including the original floor board and parcel shelf will be supplied to the new owner should they choose to remove the upgraded sound system.  There is also a Parrot MK1 9200 Bluetooth kit fitted.

Grab the Momo steering wheel, which is showing some discolouration, and you will see that the dash and binnacle are in great condition, our vendor shared that all the switches work as they should, operating their relevant ancillaries.

UPDATE:  Please note that our vendor has advised that the rev counter has recently taken to being a little temperamental sticking at one thousand revs, research suggests it to be an easy fix by replacing a faulty capacitor.

Engine & Transmission

At the heart of the Celica GT4 is a 2.0-litre twin cam four-cylinder engine with four valves per cylinder and fed by a turbocharger breathing through a liquid-air intercooler.

The Japanese market GT-Four has 225 PS of power and 224 lbf⋅ft of torque, slightly more than the UK counterpart.  A result of more aggressive ignition advance and ceramic turbine. The Full-time 4WD system in the GT-Four has viscous coupling centre limited slip differential.  Mated to a five speed gearbox that our vendor has seen fit to fit a shorter gear shifter for quicker gear changes, again the originals are all present should you decide to put it back to original.

Open the bonnet and the first thing you will spot is the upper and lower Cusco Strut Brace, below that is that phenomenal engine.

Our vendor has explained that TR&D Nottingham, a Toyota specialist had looked after the car and had serviced it yearly prior to MK Autos in Blackburn carrying out the last service, in August this year, and all major works since, as previously mentioned every MOT and service receipt except two are in the document pack.  It should also be mentioned that our vendor very recently had the radiator and thermostat replaced.  Currently at 109k miles our vendor states it really does drive impeccably.

You will also find receipts for an upgraded stage 2 Exedy Clutch and pressure plate, the intake benefits from a K & N Induction kit with the exhaust being replaced with a three inch decat pipe going into a stainless two and a half inch system.

A Geddy Profec Spec II Boost Controller has also been fitted, hinting at the serious nature of the beast of a car.  If you know these cars you will be aware that this really is a well sorted example.

Wheels, Tyres, Brakes & Suspension

Currently fitted with a set of 18inch Wheel mania Jet 2 wheels wrapped in Falken 225/40 ZR18 rubber with plenty of tread, the rears are mounted on a H&R 25mm spacers with extended studs and a pair of front 10mm spacers will be supplied, you can see from the images that the wheels have some minor cosmetic kerb damage, and as you have come to expect the original OEM wheels will be supplied with this Celica GT4.

The gen five front brakes are stompingly good but our vendor has shared that he has a set of generation six items that are by and large much more efficient with strong two piston callipers and 285mm disks, should you wish to upgrade them, the brake lines are all braided to aid those already impressive stopping distances, a great upgrade for such a potent weapon in our view.

In the file there is also a photographic account of the fuel lines being fully replaced from rear to front and our vendor shared that he would be supplying a list of parts that he has not quite got round to fitting:

  • Polybushes for the front and rear suspension
  • Front mounted intercooler, along with the pipe wrap and stainless-steel tie wraps.
  • Braided clutch line
  • Greddy turbo timer with wiring loom
  • Walboro 255 l/h tank fuel pump
  • One bar actuator
  • Harness style seatbelts
  • Gen 6 GT4 front callipers and 285mm disks (as previously mentioned)
  • H&R 10mm Front wheel spacers

Phew, along with all the original parts that have been upgraded or replaced you may need to take a friend when you pick this baby up.

The last thing to mention that has been added to the car is that it has been fitted with a Toad Cat 1 alarm to keep those pesky thieves at bay.

The Bottom Line

Great dynamics and remarkable drivability made for a rewarding driving experience when these were introduced and this one, thirty years on, will not disappoint, with very clever and subtle upgrades there is not a lot left to do on this great example.  A little attention to the sills and you will have a fantastic example of these seriously punchy cars.

Plus, with all the extras and original parts being supplied to the winning bidder you could chose to put it back to standard and watch it appreciate, or enjoy it as it is, your choice.  Whatever you choose, these fantastic four-wheel drive, turbo sports cars are at that watershed moment where now is the time to buy.

Good luck bidding! Please remember, our site uses anti-sniping software which ensures fairness to all bidders. So, if a bid for a lot is received in the last minute, the auction will go into a 2-minute overtime period for each subsequent bid.

Vehicle Location: Hull HU2– it’s the responsibility of the buyer to make collection / transportation arrangements directly with the vendor.

Have a question about this Celica GT4? Please contact the Evoke team at auction@evoke-classics.com and we will speak to the vendor on your behalf.

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Well, everyone knows the broad value of classic, let’s all be honest. So we don’t need to tell you what you already know, do we.

The ‘market’ decides and the old cliché that ‘it’s worth what someone wants to pay’ is no less true. So why kid everyone!

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Tedious but it’s vital you read this, please.

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