The popular ex-racing-driver, now-tuner Stephan Papadakis bought this seedy-looking 1972 Toyota Celica from a garage where it had sat motionless for 20 years and proceeded to return it to the streets.
Despite the thick layer of dust, the first-gen Celica turned out to be in excellent condition barring the obvious need for maintenance and repairs following its prolonged stasis. However, rather than just doing that, Papadakis went further and equipped it with JDM-style fender flares, a vented hood cover and a rear spoiler. He also swapped the tiny 13-inch wheel set out for more up-to-date 15-inch alloys and got rid of all the rust on the hood and the side sills.
The interior wasn’t stock from the start with a TRD bucket seat made from glass fiber, an Abarth steering wheel and some extra dash gauges for the track days. The air conditioner doesn’t function and the window mechanisms get stuck, but both issues are scheduled to be fixed in the coming weeks.
As for the power source, Papadakis felt the stock 2.0-liter non-turbo mill was adequate for the car weighing as little as 943 kilos (2,078 lbs). He still replaced a number of internal parts to keep things maintainable. In its glory days, the Celica could produce up to 147 PS (145 hp / 108 kW). How well the restomod handles on its new suspension and just how fast it can be you can see for yourself in the full video review below.