5 Random Facts About the Quirky Toyota Celica Supra
Did you know that before the Toyota Supra came to be, the Celica Supra existed? That’s right, in fact, the Toyota Celica Supra was the first and second generation of the fabled supercar. It was produced from 1979 to 1981, and although it obviously had a lot of the boxy dimensions indicative of cars from the early 80s, the Celica Supra was also an interesting car. Check out these seven random facts you may not know about the quirky Celica Supra.
1. Is a Toyota Celica the same as a Supra?
While the Toyota Celica Supra name itself may seem weird, it’s an amalgamation of two car names, the Celica and Supra. The reason for this union is simple: Toyota wanted to build an extended version of the Celica, which meant it could accept a larger engine.
In that case, the engineering wizards at the Japanese automaker shoehorned a 2.6-liter, six-cylinder engine that produced 110 hp. For the second generation, the engine grew to 2.8 liters and produced 160 hp, which made the car more fun to drive. It could even reach 60 mph from a stop in 8.4 seconds.
2. The driver seat had inflatable bolsters
Any true sports car needs a supportive and sporty seat to hold the driver in. Nowadays, 14-way powered seats can do the trick as occupants can tailor their seat configurations to fit their frame with the push of a button. However, the Celica Supra was invented in the early 80s, when this type of technology wasn’t available yet.
Toyota exercised its ingenuity by giving the car a manual inflator mechanism for the driver’s seat. The driver could pump their seat up for more side bolstering and support. It’s a pretty ingenious design.
3. The Celica Supra had fender flares
It’s pretty common to see fender flares on sports cars in today’s market. For example, the Acura Integra Type S we recently drove had them. But back in the 80s, it was a rarity unless you owned a Toyota Celica Supra. Yes, it had them, and they gave the boxy car some much-needed flare.
4. The Toyota Celica Supra had plenty of modern features
Despite being over 40 years old, the Toyota Celica Supra had many modern tech features. Some of the tech features include the basics like power windows, locks, and air conditioning. But another trick feature included an extendable flashlight under the hood. That little light made it easier for the car to be tinkered on, even if you’re stuck on the side of the road.
5. The Celica Supra was fun to drive
Although the Toyota Celica Supra only had 160 hp, it was fun to drive. After all, you don’t need a ton of horsepower to have fun. And as the only saying goes, “It’s more fun to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow.” Ultimately, the Celica Supra may not have looked as menacing or as sleek as the later versions of the Supra, but it sure cemented its quirky self well in the automotive timeline.
How much does a Toyota Celica Supra cost today?
It’s tough to find a Celica Supra for sale nowadays, considering the car is old. However, a quick search on Autotrader Classics revealed one posted for $22,000. That said, this rare car could fetch a pretty penny if it’s kept in great shape. Considering how interesting the car is, we’re sure any enthusiast would love to keep one in pristine condition for many years to come. Let’s hope those seat bladders stay nice and inflated.
