Ex Martin Brundle 1978 Toyota Celica 2.0 GT FIA Grp.1 HTP

FIA 1978 Toyota Celica 2. 0 GT Liftback
Ex- Martin Brundle double Commanders Cup winner 1980/ 81
Full FIA Group 1HTP ( valid 2033!)

We are proud to offer for sale this restored Toyota Celica, built and raced by Martin, Robin and John Brundle in the 1980 and 1981 24 hr Willhire races. Both years it won the prestigious Commanders Cup.

Although built to the FIA Group 1 regulations of that era, a fully removable Group 1. 5 Goodwood kit has been produced, which will make it competitive at the Goodwood Member’s meetings. This “Group 1. 5” kit contains fully spherical jointed arms, special one off big bore adjustable dampers, special springs designed and supplied by Falkners, original tubular exhaust manifold, TRD LSD etc.

Brief specs:

ENGINE

Fully rebuilt and dyno run by Dave Wilds of DTW Engines in Harlow, Essex. They are one of Europe’s leading performance Toyota engine specialists.

• Full build sheet and invoice present.
• Dyno sheet present. 176 BHP with more available with supplied tubular exhaust manifold.
• Zero miles since run on the dyno.
• Full Lumenition electronic set up. New competition coil (non ballast).
• One-off replicated Toyota high compression pistons by JE Pistons. 11. 6 to 1 compression ratio.
• All new bearings and valve gear components.
• F3 type valves.
• New springs, retainers and spring seats.
• Original standard Solex carburettors, but can be modified further for increased power. Dellorto trumpets.
• Standard wet sump lubrication with baffles sump set up.
• DTW modified oil PRV
• L1 inlet and exhaust cams.
• Fully professionally refurbished radiator and core.

SUSPENSION

• The front and rear dampers are the original modified uprated units as supplied and modified by Leda Suspension back in 1989. Original invoice is present.
• The front dampers have modified / lowered spring platforms.
• They have been fully refurbished by Ledas, and both front and rear dampers have adjustable bump. Invoice present.
• The front springs are a one-off and specially made by Faulkner Springs to our specifications. Invoice present.
• The rear springs are supplied direct from Australia, and are lower and uprated.
• Where allowed, all bushes have been replaced with uprated Whiteline competition items, both front and rear. Including front drop link bushes.
• The rear link arms still run their uprated spherical bearings, shod with standard bushes to maintain secrecy. These bearings were fitted circa 1983/ 4. Pictures present.

STEERING

• Fully refurbished steering box by Homan Engineering Co Ltd.
• New ball joints, knuckles and steering joints. Linkages have been vapour blasted and re-painted in the period correct satin chassis black.
• Front hubs have been fully stripped, vapour blasted and painted.
• New bearings and seals throughout.
• Competition spec grease

BRAKE SYSTEM

• Fully refurbished master cylinder and servo by Europe’s leading brake servo restoration specialists J & L Exports ltd.
• Brand new nickel brake lines throughout, Proline flexi braided hoses, refurbished compensator valve, new competition front brake pads and rear shoes supplied from Questmead Limited.
• New front discs.
• Fully refurbished front brake callipers.
• New rear drums.
• New rear cylinders, and brake shoe fitting kit.
• Fully refurbished original back plates.
• Original working handbrake system.

FUEL SYSTEM

• Full professional refurbishment of the original fuel tank by Stan Lamb at Hartlepool radiators, and foam filled using the correct FIA foam inserts.
• New high pressure electronic Facet fuel pump, new braided pipe work.
• New adjustable pressure Fuel King filter system.
• Original fully refurbished original Toyota GT air intake.

REAR AXLE

• Fully rebuilt using all new bearings and seals throughout. The original LSD has been fully inspected, backlash, bearing preloads set.
• Final drive ratio: 3. 909:1
• 5 linked as standard with original Panard rod set up.

Gearbox

• Original GT specification P51 5 speed gearbox.
• Gear ratios (as per FIA HTP)
• Original hydraulic clutch set up, uprated clutch, and new clutch slave
cylinder.
• New clutch master cylinder.
• Willwood competition brake fluid.

We have carried out a comprehensive restoration with a full bare shell rebuild, whilst maintaining much of it's original patina. The whole process has been extensively documented with photographs, invoices and chronological summary sheets describing all the work carried out.

Original reg VVG 1S is on retention, and transferred upon sale.

As a competition car it is special, and competitive. Having been raced by Martin Brundle, one of the most well known and loved names in the F1 World today, this is a very worthwhile and sensible way into competitive historic racing.

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Part exchanges poss,