1stGenCelica.com

Hi Folks, I'm Dave from Ireland and I have just pulled a fairly dilapidated TA28 from a shed in which it has sat since 1996. I already own 2 AE86's and a few E30 BMW's in various states or repair and undress but this is my first Celica. It is my third attempt to own one of these cars and they are quite rare in Ireland. Any that were about have long since rusted away making this one interesting as it's a first day Irish car, or it's first registration was in Dublin in 1977. The bodywork is poor but the floors are in great shape. I have farmed this out to a local panel beater in the hopes that I'll finish this one with me rebuilding the mechanicals as required. The car came with a few spares as the owner had broken a crashed RA28 in the 90's. I also have plenty of AE86 stuff including a few spare rear axles, one fit with a 4.7cwp and TRD 2 way, but I will building it back as standard as possible to begin with and will upgrade from there as at thios point I know very little about what swaps over easily and what would need a lot of bodging etc. The car runs I think a 2T-B with twin carbs and a 4 speed box, once again, fine for now. I have a spare 4AGE but I don't think it would look right in there. Anyhow, here are a few pictures, it may look like a big undertaking to people from warmer climes, but unless you import one, this is what you have to put up with. I'm on here for mainly selfish reasons as I need lot of advice and will no doubt be stuck for lots of parts also...wish me luck!







Here's a picture of the car the previous owner took in the early 90's

Some pictures of my other cars, my '88 325i touring, which is on the far left, will soon be going to make space as I have 8 cars at the minute. It's stock apart from a 3.91 LSD and some wide MIM's.

I have no pictures of the AE86 on photobucket that I can find right now, but here it is in the 2010 club calendar:

I have another AE86 that is not at all photogenic!...cheers for lookin'!

Hi from uk, looks like a bit of work there mate,
good luck, have a look at my ra23,
like your escort in the pic.
cheers Al.

Hey, not bad. At least it was under cover. Enjoy.

Nice stable. That car is in great condition. I still can't get over the first pic. Mmmm...smiley bumpers with those lights look so nice Good luck.

welcome along. plenty of good ideas on this site and helpful lads.

Hows Hinte?

Hi. You have a nice collection there. And the Celica looks ok, and an original Irish one is very rare! I'm in Monaghan, hope I can help you get some parts, plenty of helpful people on here

Thanks for the reply's folks, the MKII Escort in the photo is not mine it belongs to a local mechanic....wish it was mine though!...yeah Rocky it's me alright!!

Weird question, but could you take a couple close-up pics of that shift knob? Is it original? Anyone know if that was standard on European versions? It's super cool. I'm wondering if I should make one with my lathe.

I'll try and get a snap for you next Saturday if I'm out at it. I don't know if it's OE or not, but the car is a missmatch of TA and RA28 stuff. I will ask him if he added it or not the next time I see him. I wouldn't think a wooden look knob would be hard made or sourced, they used to be all the rage!!

I see the shift knob if a woody ... i have been looking for one for a long time !!!! do you want to sell that to me ??? please. ..... Name your price !!

I'll take some detailed photo's.....should be easy to get one made up similar to it, I'm not parting the car!!

Mini update:
Okay, a bit late getting these up, she's a bit further on now, but it will be two weeks before I get the engine and box etc. home as I have a lot to do about now. Slowly but surely.
Engine and gearbox out:


Floors are lovely, all there apart from the boot well:


A panels are mint, surprisinly good:


Wing rails are perfect also:


Bulkhead and scuttle are in great shape, just a few lairs of paint on the scuttle, but it doesn't look like it'll need any welding at all here:


Front rails are A1, only the battery tray was fecked!:




there's plenty of bad news too, I'll post some pics of that soon enough!!

seen worse,and for a celica who's bin in Ireland
your doing great