Description
This is the Toyota Celiga GT-Four Carlos Sainz, a numbered edition, made possible by FIA regulations at the time, which required 5, 000 road-going models to be manufactured to allow the same model to be used in the WRC. We are therefore in the presence of a true Homologation Special, from the same year in which the Japanese brand won the World Rally Championship with Carlis Sainz.
After its launch, various aspects of the Celica ST185's standard design meant that changes needed to be made to provide the necessary durability in adverse rally conditions. Therefore, Toyota made a limited number of 5000 GT-Fours of this special edition, named after El Matador himself: Carlos Sainz.
The exterior is visually different from the common ST185, which instead of a scoop, the hood has an air outlet (to expel hot air from the turbo) and a small round scoop to supply air to cool components (which melted during rallies in older models). The bumper also has larger openings and is mounted under a lightweight aluminum bar. Technical advantages are, among others, a water-air intercooler with radiator water sprayers (deactivated on road models), metal turbine in the turbo, fuel maps for higher boost levels, among others.
This example was purchased new in Palermo, Sicily from Autocom srl – official Toyota dealer - in 1992. The service and warranty booklet has all the services stamped. It was last serviced in Turbigo, Milan in August of 2020, where it received an engine-out refurbishment which included a timing belt change.
The car was exported to Lisbon, Portugal in 2021 and remains unmolested and very original, right down to the uninspiring original 16' alloys. Included in the sale is the original Toyota Cassette stereo and the original garage cover with the number of the car stitched on. The owner manuals and certificate of authenticity for number 3751 of 5000 are also present.
It is presented in the original colour and was never crashed nor modified. It is also fitted with 4 new tires - Hankook Ventus Prime 3 - with production date of 2019. It is an excellent opportunity for collectors or lovers of 90s rallly cars.
