The is an automobile produced by Toyota from 1970 until 2006. The Celica name derives from the Latin word coelica meaning heavenly or celestial. In Japan, the Celica was exclusive to Toyota Corolla Store dealer chain. Produced across seven generations, the Celica was powered by various four-cylinder engines, and body styles included convertibles, liftbacks, and notchback coupé.
In 1973, Toyota coined the term liftback to describe the Celica fastback hatchback, and the GT Liftback would be introduced for the 1976 model year in North America. Like the Ford Mustang, the Celica concept was to attach a coupe body to the chassis and mechanicals from a high volume sedan, in this case the Toyota Carina.
| length = (pre-facelift), (facelift)
| width =
| height = Tatsuo Hasegawa
Displayed at the October 1970 Tokyo Motor Show together with the Toyota Carina and marketed from December of the same year, the Celica was a two-door hardtop coupé that emphasized styling and driving enjoyment. Based on a platform shared with the Carina sedan which is one size above the Toyota Corolla, and a shared size with the Toyota Corona, according to Automobile Magazine, the Celica was based on the Corona platform.
The A40 automatic transmission became an option on North American ST and LT models starting in the 1973 model year. For 1975 the 1974 body was used and sturdier chrome and black rubber bumper bars with horizontally mounted shock absorber mounts (Volvo style) replaced the chrome bumpers used in the earlier cars (in accordance with US Federal bumper laws) mandating impacts without minor damage at . Unfortunately the early 8R and 18R series engines proved to be less than durable, with early failures common. The 1974 18R-C engine's durability was improved somewhat, but the 20R introduced for 1975 proved to be a better engine in most respects.
1972 update
In August 1972 the Celica's tail lights were updated from one-piece tail lights (affectionately called one-tail or flat lights) to tail lights with distinctive raised brake & turn signal "bubble" lenses. The rear center panel was also redesigned as the fuel tank was moved from the trunk bottom to behind the rear seats and the fuel filler was moved from a concealed location between the tail lights to the left "C" pillar. Other changes included changes to the front and rear badges, the relocation of the towing hooks, changes to the color of the wing mirrors (on cars equipped with sports type mirrors) and changes to the centre console on ST and GT models.
1974 update
In January 1974, the Japanese market Celica hardtop coupé received a facelift with a different front-end treatment of a flat nose, new hood, and front fenders which were similar to, but not interchangeable with later model Celica. Models for the Japanese domestic market Liftback were the 1600 ST, 1600 GT (TA27), 2000 ST, and 2000 GT (RA25 and RA28). The North American liftback (RA29) was only offered with a 2.2-liter 20R engine for the 1976 and 1977 model year. All the liftback models have flat noses. Although there is no "B" pillar in the Liftback, the rear quarter windows are fixed in place and do not roll down (as they do in the hardtop coupe).
The Liftback was often called the Japanese Mustang or the Mustang Celica.
File:1977 Toyota Celica GT liftback US-spec rear, Chelsea 5.18.19.jpg|1977 Toyota Celica Liftback 2200 GT (RA29, US). Note the enlarged bumpers, required by US federal law.
File:1977 Toyota Celica Liftback GT in silver, dashboard.jpg|1977 Toyota Celica Liftback GT interior
</gallery>