Highlights

Devastatingly capable Toyota rally-to-road special
Totally unmodified, factory standard example in superb condition - an exceedingly rare find
Japanese domestic market car - the one to have with 197bhp and 224lb/ft of torque thanks to uprated turbo and more aggressive ignition timing
Just three registered keepers since arriving in the UK in 2002
MOT to February 2025 with no advisories
Recent service and air conditioning overhaul

The Appeal

During the early 1990s, Toyota dominated the World Rally Championship with the AWD GT-Four Celica. The ST185 won sixteen full WRC series in the hands of rally legends Carlos Sainz, Juha Krankkunen, and Didier Auriol, along with three overall wins in the W2L Series. Full-time four-wheel drive via a trick viscous coupling centre limited-slip differential proved devastatingly effective across a variety of surfaces, while an air-to-air intercooler and CT26 twin-entry turbocharger ensured immense power despite the relatively modest 2.0-litre engine capacity.

The road car was equally good. Perfectly blending technology and drivability as only Toyota knew how, the GT-Four ST185 is one of the greatest tarmac-going cars of its generation. Japanese Domestic market examples are by far the best of the bunch, with 197bhp and 224lb/ft of torque thanks to uprated turbo and more aggressive ignition timing.

A standard car is all you need, and there is no better place to discover the power of four-wheel drive than driving a good one.

Here is your opportunity - and a rare one at that. Unmodified examples are practically unobtainable and this one ticks all the right boxes. This factory-correct JDM-spec 1993 GT-Four in Graphite Grey Metallic (182) is one of the facelift ‘wide body’ cars without a sunroof that enthusiasts prefer. It arrived in the UK from salt-free Japan in 2002. Its mere trio of keepers since is proof that these cars get under your skin.

Their care is immediately evident on even a cursory walk around this car. It presents exceptionally well. Look inside, and the theme continues with an unmodified, factory-standard cabin that utterly belies its 31 years. Even the wheels and exhaust system are as Toyota originally made it. You simply don't find them like this anymore.

The history file supports the strong impression of an enthusiast-owned car in superb health. Recent work includes a full service and track rod tie end earlier this year, timing belt and air conditioning overhaul in 2023 and front and rear springs in 2022. The discs and pads have recently been replaced. The advisory-free MOT to February 2025 underlines the condition.

The car has been used and enjoyed, covering 30,000 totally reliable miles in the last two years. The result is a GT-Four that arrives with the buyer in great order and ready to enjoy.

The History and Paperwork

First registered 1993
Imported to the UK and registered here in 2002
Three registered UK keepers
Current keeper since February 2022
VIN ST185-0023872
Showing 92,007 miles (148,072km)
March 1993 facelift wide body car
Rare non-sunroof example
Two sets of keys and Lazerline immobiliser fobs
Service history from 2003
Genuine mileage backed up with MOTS
Used regularly having completed 30k miles in the last 3 years
Good history file
Factory handbooks in very good condition
Accompanied by copious hand-written notes
Current MOT to 15th February 2025 with no advisories and 129,348 kms showing on test
Huge enthusiastic scene and support, with numerous clubs and social media groups dedicated to these fabulous cars

Works completed since 2022

Front and rear shocks
Discs and pads all round
Air conditioning service
Timing belt in 2023
Four wheel alignment

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The Condition

Very well-kept Graphite Grey Metallic (182) paintwork presenting very well for age
Few if any signs of age across paintwork
Bodywork is straight and well-kept with flush panel fit
No rust to base of panels, screen surrounds, sills or arches
Exterior fittings entirely factory standard and beautifully presented
Factory correct five spoke 15in alloy wheels in good overall condition
There are some light marks to the some rims but likely easily rectified
Fitted with quality Toyo Proxes all round with plenty of remaining tread
Underside presents very well with clean bill of health on current MOT
Solid strut tops and well-kept engine bay
Boot floor similarly well kept with no deterioration visible
Light grey cloth trim in superb condition with barely any visible wear over shadow grey carpets
The signs of use such as they are, are minor and limited to light, not unsightly scuffs
Retains its factory fittings including Toyota radio/cassette and grey leather wheel
Switchgear, carpets, door trims and parcel shelf all very well-kept
Retains its branded Celica overmats in good order
Supplied with space saver tyre, tool kit and jack as shown

For a car that has been used - albeit sparingly - and enjoyed (no doubt in abundance), this is an incredibly well-preserved example. Look across the factory standard exterior and interior and you will struggle to find any significant signs of age or wear. It’s appeal is that it is a usable example but we doubt there is little work required to make it Concours. And we can't stress its usability enough. There are even four seats - not to mention Toyota's trademark reliability.

Alongside the condition, a key draw of this car is its originality and factory-standard specification. It even retains the Toyota radio/cassette system. There are no big wheels or loud exhausts here - just a GT-Four, exactly as the fastidious engineers in Japan intended.

The Mechanics

2.0-litre (1998cc) four-cylinder 3S-GTE Toyota engine developing 197bhp
Rally-inspired AWD system
Good history file showing recent service in February 2024
Lots of recent work across timing belt, brakes, springs and air conditioning detailed above
Regularly used and has proved to be entirely reliable by current keeper
Reported to drive very well with no unusual noises
No mechanical or running gear advisories on current MOT
No reported running or driving issues
Parts still readily available along with a fabulous enthusiast support network

Key to a standard GT-Four’s appeal is that - beyond the bonnet scoop - it looks much like a standard Celica. But it doesn’t drive like one. It’s much, much better.

A well-maintained GT-Four car drives brilliantly and this car is exactly that. Current and contemporary reviewers widely rate these cars as one of the greatest driver’s cars of all time.

There are many modifications owners can make to a GT-Four but this car proves you don’t need them. Toyota’s engineers knew what they were doing. All a good car needs is regular, careful maintenance, which this one has received. The list of recent work is lengthy and covers timing belt, servicing, springs, brake discs and pads and even an air conditioning service.

The current keeper loves the car and has used it regularly, covering 30,000 miles over the last two years. The car has performed faultlessly. It promises the same mix of reliability and thrills for the new keeper.

BEFORE YOU BUY

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