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Car Of The Day: May 30, 2017; Matchbox '90 Toyota Celica GT-Four
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Topic Started: May 29 2017, 11:21 PM (760 Views)
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Swifty
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May 29 2017, 11:21 PM
Post #1
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The Mustang II is a Mustang too!
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Today's Car Of The Day is Matchbox's 1990 Toyota Celica GT-Four.

- Wikipedia
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The Toyota Celica was a sports car produced by Toyota from 1970 to 2006. The Celica name was ultimately derived from the Latin word coelica meaning "heavenly" or "celestial". In Japan, the Celica was exclusive to Toyota Japanese dealerships Toyota Corolla Store.
Throughout its life span the Celica has been powered by various four-cylinder engines. The most significant change occurred in August 1985, when the car's drive layout was changed from rear-wheel drive to front-wheel drive. During the first three generations, American market Celicas were powered by various versions of Toyota's R series engines. The four-wheel drive turbocharged model called GT-Four worldwide (All-Trac Turbo in the US) was produced from 1986 to 1999. Variable Valve Timing came in certain Japanese models starting in December 1997, and became standard in all models from 2000-on. Through seven generations, the model has gone through many revisions. It has also spawned design forks that were spun off to become separate models, including the Toyota Celica Supra (later Toyota Supra). The Celica was available as notchback and liftback coupes, as well as a convertible.

For more information and pictures of the real car, please visit: Toyota Celica

If your first reaction is 'Matchbox never produced this generation Celica' you'd be right. This is a mock-up of a casting that was never produced, and is one of the gems of my collection. I think we all know my love of Toyota's Celica and Supra models, and my own Celica Supra was also white (I had the option of this or a red one, and I debated several minutes before eventually picking this one).
It's a pity Matchbox never released this car. The overall look captures the real car nicely, and this generation Celica isn't well represented in small scale. I wonder why it was scrapped? Did it take them so long to get it ready that the facelifted 1992 model had already debuted? Could it be that Matchbox decided they'd rather do the MK IV Supra instead? Did Toyota deny the license for some reason or another? I guess we may never know, but the world is a worse place without a Matchbox miniature of this Celica.

- Wikipedia
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The fifth generation Celica was introduced in September 1989 for the 1990 model year. The Celica received new Super Round organic styling, upgraded wheels and tires, more powerful GT-Four (All-Trac Turbo in the US) with better cooling system, and for the Japanese market only, the four-wheel steering (4WS) models. Toyota engineers claimed that the round styling and lack of straight edges increased strength without adding weight. The styling was later copied by other manufacturers. Japanese market models were now S-R, Z-R, GT-R, Active Sports (first Toyota with Toyota Active Control Suspension), and GT-Four. The S-R and Z-R were powered by a 3S-FE engine, while the GT-R and Active Sports came with a 3S-GE. The 3S-GTE in the GT-Four features an air-to-air intercooler and CT26 twin entry turbo to eliminate exhaust gas interference. The Japanese market GT-Four has 165 kW (221 hp) and 304 N·m (224 lb·ft) of torque, a result of more aggressive ignition advance and ceramic turbine. The Full-time 4WD system in the GT-Four has viscous coupling limited slip center differential and Torsen rear differential.
The North American Celica had fixed door mirrors and amber front corner lights. All other models had folding mirrors and front clear corner lights. Driver's side SRS Airbag is standard on all US models. The base model ST has 1.6-liter 4A-FE, the GT and GT-S were powered by the 2.2-liter 5S-FE. The 1.6-liter was similar to the one used in the Corolla. The GT-S was rated 5 hp (4 kW) more than the GT at 135 bhp (101 kW; 137 PS). The 2.2-liter was designed for more low-end torque, which appealed to US buyers' preferences as opposed to the high revving engines of the past. This engine was similar to the Camry's engine except for the balance shafts. The All-Trac Turbo was available with the improved 2.0-liter 3S-GTE engine. It was rated at 200 bhp (149 kW; 203 PS) and 200 lb·ft (271 N·m) torque. The GT-S and all export market GT-Four/All-Trac are wide-body liftbacks with flared fenders. The Japanese market GT-Four was also offered as narrow-body for the pre-facelift model.
Trim levels for the European Celica were 1.6 ST-i, 2.0 GT-i 16, and GT-Four. The 2.0 GT-i 16 cabriolet was offered only in certain European countries. Only the 2.0 GT-i 16 liftback and GT-Four were officially sold in the UK. New for 1992, the wide body liftback 2.0 GT-i 16 was offered in the Netherlands and Belgium. This was basically a GT-S with 3S-GE engine.
Model grades for Australia were SX coupe, SX liftback, GT-Four, and also 150 units limited edition GT-Four Group A Rallye. The Australian cars are less luxurious than Japanese market and North American market models. Initially, the GT-Four did not come with ABS and fog lamps, which became standard few months after the introduction. In 1993, the Limited Edition WRC Trophy model was offered in Australia. This is basically the SX with sport front seats from the GT-Four, cruise control, rear window shade / spoiler, and special decals.
In August 1990, the wide body liftback GT-Four A and convertible, in base and Type G trim levels, were added into the Japanese Celica lineup. Super Live Sound System with 10 speakers became standard on the GT-Four A and optional in other models except the S-R.
The 20th Anniversary GT-R came in December 1990 to celebrate 20 years of Celica production.
The Celica convertible was built by American Sunroof Corporation (ASC) in California. It was offered as GT in US with 5S-FE engine, and as Type G in Japan or 2.0 GT-i 16 cabriolet in Europe with 3S-GE engine. The Japanese market convertible also has 4WS. The European Celica cabriolet retained the old style front bumper for 1992, and received the facelift in 1993.
There are three different gearboxes for ST185 GT-Four. The E150F gearbox with 4.285 final gear ratio was installed in the regular Japanese version and All-Trac. European and Australian models, as well as the RC/Carlos Sainz/Group A models, came with the E151F gearbox with 3.933 ratio. The Japanese market only GT-Four Rally, a limited edition lightweight rally version sold only in Japan (not to be confused with the Australian GT-Four Grp A Rallye model), has the E152F gearbox with close ratio on the 1st through 4th gear and 4.285 final ratio. It also came with steel wheels and without air conditioning, power windows, or a power antenna. The early model GT-Four Rally is based on the narrow body, and the facelift model is wide body with round fog lights. Also sold in Japan only was the GT-Four V. This was an economy version of narrow body without alloy wheels, leather, or System 10, but still came with fog lights, power windows, and optional sunroof.
Anti-lock brakes (ABS) were available on the GT-S all four years and was available on the GT for 1992 and 1993 models. ABS, Leather interior, sunroof, and System 10 premium sound system are optional on the GT-S and the 1990-1992 All-Trac, and standard on the 1993 All-Trac. With its sport-style interior, power-operated driver's seat, auto tilt-away steering wheel, and cruise control as standard equipment, the All-Trac (known as the GT-Four outside of the US) was the most expensive Celica yet. With a 2.0-liter turbocharged 3S-GTE producing 149 kW (200 hp), it was the most powerful Celica ever sold in the US.
- Attached to this post:
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pjedsel
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May 29 2017, 11:57 PM
Post #2
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Muscle Car
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This one would definitely been a nice release for Matchbox - and so the question is a good one - why wasn't it?
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Ripa
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May 30 2017, 12:42 AM
Post #3
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Minivan
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I have heard of this before, never seen pictures though.
It sure would have been a nice model - luckily there are some versions out there.
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toyotageek
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May 30 2017, 01:11 PM
Post #4
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Japanese Minicar Maniac
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Pegers
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May 30 2017, 06:26 PM
Post #5
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Pony Car
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that explains the frosty glass.
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JoeX
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Jun 12 2017, 12:01 AM
Post #6
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Casual JDM enthusiast
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Oh, man! This is awesome! My dad had a '92 Celica GT convertible. It was such a fun little car. I'd love to see Hot Wheels or Matchbox make a Celica convertible.
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jurcpa
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Jun 17 2017, 05:39 AM
Post #7
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Fullsize
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this celica is a nice oldy and very interesting ,need this casting from gisima very hard to find ,hope my friend in Barcelone can help !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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