Random # 290: 1970s Celica GT 2000 Liftback (RA28)

You could barely hope to see a better early- to mid-1970s Celica than this outstanding example snapped recently in Australia's national capital, Canberra. It seems probable that it's an imported JDM model, as it features the forward-mounted rear-view mirrors favoured in Japan during the '70s, a grille that appears to differ from those fitted to cars sold in Australia, plus some very distinctive rear tail-light clusters with five individual lenses per side rather than the usual three.

The headlights were protected by an impressive one-piece perspex cowl, there was an aggressive front spoiler and the front wheels were 15 inch Wattanabe-style alloys with black steel rims of similar size on the rear (for the track / competition, possibly?). The panels and paint were nigh on perfect, as was the interior.

If the example shown here is fitted with a 2.0 litre twin-cam, it's all but certain that the car is a genuine imported GT, as Australia only ever received the garden-variety 2.0 SOHC-powered hatches. That would make it a truly exotic - and highly desirable - example of 1970s' Japanese performance machinery, at least the equal of anything from rival car makers Nissan, Mazda or Mitsubishi.

U M P H

(uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com.au.)

All iPhone images.

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EJ or EH Holden? (Up-dated December, 2022)

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Random # 301: Nanna-Spec KE36 Corolla

Once upon a time - six or seven years ago, actually - there was a lovely pale yellow GC Galant station wagon getting around Hobart. It was totally nanna-spec; its paint was umarked, the chrome work and hubcaps were immaculate, and its very original interior was pristine. Then someone stuck feathers in its dashboard. Next, the windows were adorned with Tibetan prayer flags. And a hubcap went missing. And the the rear bumper was pushed in, mangling the bodywork behind it. And a mudguard got dented. And rust set in. I fear for this sweet, innocent KE36 Corolla. Somebody please save it before it's too late. Nanna needs you to do it. U M P H (uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com.au.) Photos by GlamRock.

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