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1970-1975 Toyota Celica ST Liftback (RA28/TA28 Series)

A red first-generation Toyota Celica Liftback parked on a wet stone driveway, featuring mesh wheels and quad headlights.

Estimated value

$18,000 - $35,000

Rarity

Scarce(6/10)

Category

Vehicles

Brand

Toyota

Era

1973-1977

Origin

🇯🇵 Japan

Authenticity

Very High(85%)
54

1970-1975 TOYOTA CELICA ST LIFTBACK (RA28/TA28 SERIES): IDENTIFICATION

A first-generation Toyota Celica Liftback featuring the distinctive 'mustang-style' silhouette and quad round headlights. This specimen is finished in a non-factory or updated gloss red and equipped with period-style gold-centered mesh alloy wheels and Toyo performance tires. The vehicle displays the 1973-1975 era front-end modification with the recessed grille and integrated hood vents characteristic of the ST or GT trim levels from the Japanese and European markets.

PRODUCTION PERIOD

Introduced in late 1970 and expanded with the Liftback body style in 1973, the first-generation Celica was Toyota's response to the American pony car market, earning it the nickname Japanese Mustang. The RA28 and TA28 series utilized a rear-wheel-drive layout with a range of T-series and R-series ...
Introduced in late 1970 and expanded with the Liftback body style in 1973, the first-generation Celica was Toyota's response to the American pony car market, earning it the nickname Japanese Mustang. The RA28 and TA28 series utilized a rear-wheel-drive layout with a range of T-series and R-series engines, including the 1.6L 2T-G and 2.0L 18R-G twin-cam variants that established Toyota's reputation in global rallying throughout the 1970s.

COLLECTOR NOTES

1

The Liftback model was originally unveiled as the SV-1 concept car at the 1971 Tokyo Motor Show, two years before it entered official production.

SCARCITY

Scarce80-90%
CommonLegendary

Genuinely harder to find. Perhaps only dozens come to market annually. Collectors actively watch for these pieces.

Rarity 6/10. Curiosa currently catalogues 1 vehicles item at rarity 6 or higher.

Typical Characteristics

  • Dozens per year at market
  • Documented provenance valued
  • Active collector pursuit

Confidence Factors

  • The silhouette and specific light configurations are highly distinct to the RA28/TA28 chassis
  • No indicators of replica or fiberglass kit-car construction are visible in the body seams
How does authenticity detection work?

AUTOMOTIVE HISTORIAN'S TAKE

Automotive Historian

Vehicle Specialist

Identification of the specific make, model, and year range is near certain based on body lines, however, the degree of mechanical modification cannot be confirmed without interior or engine bay images.

KEY EVIDENCE

  • 1Recessed grille with quad round headlights identifying it as a 1973-1977 Liftback model.
  • 2Functional hood vents characteristic of the ST/GT trim levels.
  • 3Side-view mirror placement on the doors rather than the fenders suggests a European or American export market configuration.
  • 4Distinctive 'three-bar' tail light reflection visible in side profile (standard RA28 feature).

UNCERTAINTIES

  • •Missing front bumper and possible modifications to the front valance.
  • •Non-original wheels and paint depth suggests a full restoration or custom build of unknown quality underneath.

WHAT WOULD IMPROVE CERTAINTY

  • →Provide high-resolution image of the VIN tag located on the driver side dash or firewall.
  • →Request photo of the engine bay to verify if it retains the 18R or has been swapped with a modern 4A-GE or 3S-GE.
  • →Undercarriage photos to inspect for the common corrosion issues in the floor pans and strut towers.

CONDITION & GRADE

3- (Driver)

Grading breakdown

The vehicle is a modified driver-quality example rather than a concours preservation piece; missing bumpers and aftermarket wheels suggest a personalized 'JDM style' build.

Condition

Visually modified with aftermarket wheels and non-original paint. The front bumper is removed, exposing the lower valance which shows some minor irregularities in panel gap. Headlight housings appear clear and functional.

Weight & feel

Approximately 1,000 to 1,100 kg curb weight, providing a nimble handling characteristic typical of 1970s Japanese unibody sport coupes.

AUTOMOTIVE VALUATION

$18,000 - $35,000

Updated: May 11, 2026

Who buys this

Vintage Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) enthusiasts and collectors of 1970s sporting coupes looking for reliable alternative classics.

What increases value

  • •Original twin-cam engine presence (if 18R-G or 2T-G)
  • •Rust-free chassis rails and shock towers
  • •Completeness of interior trim and dashboard plastics which are difficult to source

What lowers value

  • •Evidence of prior accident damage behind the missing front bumper
  • •Low-quality body filler (bondo) on lower wheel arches

What makes top-tier examples

  • •Original survivor paint and interior
  • •Matching numbers drivetrain with documented service history from new

Grade & condition

Panel alignment, paint thickness uniformity, and the presence of original factory weld spots in the engine bay.

Rarity & demand

ScarceHigh demandModerate liquidity
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For informational purposes only, not a formal appraisal.

FROM THE CABINET OF

BA

bagi
The Keeper•9 items

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