Description
1991 Toyota Celica GT Four RC ST185.
Excellent example of this rare Rally Homologation Special..
Rust free body
low mileage 13600km-85500 miles
excellent mechanicals
up to date servicing
advisory free MOT’s
New OZ racing alloys + Toyo Proxes tyres
Berk de-cat downpipe
stainless steel exhaust
BC Racing coilover suspension
refurbished ECU
MOT till 30/ 6/ 26
I have decided to sell this stunning car due to lack of use.
It is one of only 1800 RC models (Rally Competition)sold new in Japan which together with the European market Carlos Sainz Limited Edition and Australian market Group A Rallye made up the 5000 homologation examples required to enter the 1992 World Rally championship under Group A regulations. All the cars were constructed in Japan late 1991 and early 1992 to a specification needed to compete at WRC level which required a robust and agile chassis fitted with a 2 litre turbocharged engine and four wheel drive transmission. The rally cars went on to win the drivers championship in 1992, 1993 & 1994 with drivers Carlos Sainz, Juha Kankunen & Didier Auriol. and the manufacturers title in 1994.
With only 440 Carlos Sainz models sold in the UK and a handful of RC’s imported they are extremely rare. The RC differs from the Carlos Sainz edition in having no EGR system and more power, 235 BHP against 208 BHP.
I am the third keeper since the car was imported into the UK in 2005, owning it since 2017.
The first UK keeper only used it for a short time then parked it for up for a few years before the second owner acquired it and undertook a comprehensive recommission which included refurbished fuel tank & injectors, new fuel pump & lines, brakes, hoses, cambelt kit etc. plus a complete respray in it’s original gloss black.
In my eight plus years ownership it has been used sparingly during the summer months and always garaged. It has been 100% reliable and needed no more than routine servicing,(filters, oils and fluids, plugs) and replacement of a few perishable parts such as rubber boots and seals. I have always run it on super unleaded E5 fuel, mostly Shell V Power.
I have attended to a few oil leaks and replaced the cam cover gasket, oil pump gasket and camshaft seals. The cambelt was replaced again at this time as it was removed for some of this work.
All the above work has been done within the last 5000 miles.
The engine oil and filter were replaced a few weeks ago.
Any MOT advisories have always been dealt with.
There is a slight weep from the sump gasket but the oil has never needed topping up between changes.
The car has rust free body panels and sound structure with none of the common areas such as wheelarches, sills, windscreen and door bottoms having any corrosion.
I haven’t found any signs of body repairs and the car is completely free of filler. The paintwork is virtually blemish free with only minor imperfections. The underside is clean and rot free and has been protected with waxoil.
Some examples have suffered from age related issues with the engine ECU(electronic control unit)due to component failure which causes poor starting & rough running or even non starting.
This cars original ECU has had these components(capacitors) replaced. The engine is in original spec of 235 BHP and runs absolutely perfectly with the emissions well under the required MOT levels. CO 0. 215%(limit 3. 5%) HC 87 ppm(limit 1200 ppm).
Engine breathing has been improved with a K&N panel filter, de-cat downpipe and bespoke stainless steel exhaust system which isn’t too loud but has a nice rally car sound when accelerating.
All of the electrical equipment works including windows, mirrors, drivers seat bolster and lumbar adjustment and steering column lift. The original electric aerial even works. The aircon isn’t functioning due to gas loss, I understand that the system needs modification to take modern ac gas.
The speedometer is a bit erratic, not a problem these days as I drive using GPS reading in MPH.
A new set of 17x8 inch OZ Racing "Rally"alloys and Toyo Proxes tyres, size 225/ 45 17 were fitted in June at a cost of almost £1500.
The interior is in good condition with only slight wear to the drivers seat bolster.
The headlining is fine with no sagging.
An extremely rare four spoke Toyota branded Momo steering wheel is fitted.
This is a sound, reliable great looking and driving vehicle which is much admired including by other GT Four owners and will very likely appreciate in value.
Please dont make any offers without viewing first but contact me if you would like to discuss further or to arrange a viewing.
Open to sensible offersoriginal Japanese service and handbooks.
details of recommisioning provided by previous owner.
receipts for parts replaced during my ownership.
