Description
Here we have my beautiful 1997 Celica ST 1. 8 in Purple Royale - just 27 years young!
I am the 4th owner. I purchased the car in March 2023 from a lady in the outskirts of London who had been the owner since 1998! She was extremely reluctant to sell, but was forced to due to the London ULEZ expansion that was looming at the time. She would've had to pay the ULEZ charge every time she took it off the driveway.
The underside and bodywork are both completely rust free and never welded! I had it professionally waxoyled/ undersealed soon after I bought it and I have plenty of before and after pictures of this to share.
There is a brand new MOT with no advisories, which doesn't expire until January 2026.
I have MOT certificates going back to 2001, unfortunately there is little service history prior to 2019.
In these last few years the car has had (with receipts for all):
* Exhaust replaced (Stock exhaust - not modified) (came after undersealing photos)
* Clutch kit including master and slave cylinders (Genuine Toyota part)
* Bottom engine mounting replaced (Geniune Toyota)
* Front offside wheel bearing replaced (Genuine Toyota)
* Nearside wheel hub replaced
* 2 New rear tyres - Dec 2024
* 2 New front tyres - Aug 2022
What would make it even better?
The car is currently fitted with some fairly tired alloy wheels which look okay from afar, but close up they are letting the looks down. I have thought about changing them but I don't dislike them enough to do so.
The paintwork overall is very good for the age, however there are a couple of small 'dings' near the doors, as well as a very small dent near one of the rear wheel arches.
Of course I'm happy to send close-up pictures of these on request or answer any questions..
I'd like to stress that I am in no rush to sell. I love this car and it will be hard to let go of it.
I'm listing since my circumstances have changed since I bought the car and my life would be a lot easier with a more practical vehicle or a van instead.
I chose this car in particular because of the colour! I've always loved the look and shape of the 6th gen Celica but when I saw this colour in the flesh, I had to have it! - It tends to look blue or purple depending on the light you're in.
The car stands out on the road and attracts a thumbs-up or pointing finger every now and then!
This has the 1. 8 litre '7A-FE' engine, which is running spot on and pulls well. The 7A-FE can be found in several other 90s Toyotas such as the Avensis, Corolla & Carina. This is great as parts are still very easy to get hold of.
