This has got to be one of the few, if the only ST-205 that is legal in the US. Granted, we’re closing in on the 25 year rule so you’re going to be seeing a lot more soon! How in the world is this legal? It looks fairly simple.
This is a 1996 Toyota Celica GT-4. This isn’t any Celica. It is AWD and turbo with around 240hp. It’s right hand drive and luckily for those of us still off the metic system, it’s got a MPH cluster.
That’s right, the Celica we all deserved. We in the US got the first two generations - ST-165 and ST-185 - but the ST-205 pictured was forbidden JDM fruit.
Those things we can’t have are always the juiciest fruit. This car is the FAMAS or the wormwood Absinthe, nay it’s the best forbidden Toyota we never got.
The seller has few words, poorly taken pictures, and yet I am intrigued. I want to know more! The seller states this vehicle was made for a Japanese Foreign Affairs Officer, and based on the sticker it appears this Celica began life in Alaska.
So we have a forbidden car, configured solely for one privileged government official stationed in AK. I can see this as a true story. The fact is this Celica in its clothing isn’t that different than any other of the vintage. It’s still going to crumple in the same way. It will pollute in a similar manner as the earlier cars and I believe the same way as a USDM MR2?!
I’m going to do a little digging on this one. Could this be as the owner advertises? Is it one of few true ST205 Celica on our shores? Or is it some VIN swapped or chassis and parts changed monstrosity? Either way it looks like it can be yours for $22,222.