Up for auction right now is a 1973 Toyota Celica with just over 40,000 miles. According to the listing, it has had only one owner previous to the current seller, who acquired it in an estate sale upon the first owner’s passing.
Resplendent in 614 Green, a one-year color available only in 1973, it appears to be in great condition apart from a couple of dings. Though photos are sparse, it has an amazing amount of documentation. According to the original bill of sale, it was purchased for $3,324.95, including $230 for the Cragar wheels and $60 for a dealer-installed vinyl top. An extensive list of service records extends back to 1973, copied and pasted below in case the auction disappears.
In addition, the interior appears to be free of cracks and tears, the floor pan and trunk are rust-free, and it even comes with the original stereo cartridge pouch from Fujitsu Ten. At the time of this writing the price is up to $7,600 with 17 bids and about two and a half days to go. Good luck.
- On 9-10-1973 at 1,094 miles the car had its 1,000 mile service at Irv Toyota with notes from them about fixing the following – a clock issue and a few other notes about a rattling noise and miss in the motor.
- On 10-13-1973 she purchased a Valvoline Dealer New Car 50,000 Mile/5 year Motor Oil and Lubrication Guaranty Certificate #230316. This Certificate is still with the cars documentation.
- On 10-30-1973 she has a receipt for purchasing winter studded tires for a total cost of $89.50 mounted.
- On 12-5-1973 at 3,996 miles the car was brought in to Irv Toyota for the 3,000 mile service and had the wipers, Emergency Brake and Carb adjusted along with the timing set. Notes again on the clock issue.
- On 2-22-1974 at 6,106 miles the car was brought in to Irv Toyota for its 6,000 mile service. Notes from the dealer indicate that they also ordered the new clock.
- On 5-29-1974 at 9,506 miles the car was brought in to Irv Toyota for its 9,000 mile service. The dealer put in a few notes on other adjustments in the receipt.
- On 7-30-1974 at 11,853 the car was brought in to Irv Toyota for its 12,000 mile service. The receipt indicates that they adjusted the Air Conditioning, Emergency brake, Steering box and checked the compression. One cylinder was indicated as being low on compression and under warranty.
- On 5-1974 at 12,285 miles the car was repaired by the dealer for the low compression. They replaced the Cylinder Head, Valves and Rockers.
- On 11-18-1974 at 15,258 miles it was brought in to Irv for the 15,000 mile service.
- On 2-14-1975 at 18,623 miles it was brought in to Irv Toyota for the 18,000 mile service. Notes on brake dust.
- On 5-15-1975 at 21,649 miles it was brought in to Irv Toyota for the 21,000 mile service with no additional notes.
- On 8-7-1975 at 24,386 miles the car was brought in for the 24,000 mile service to Toyota. They also replaced a Transmission bearing due to noise and adjusted the steering.
- On 10-28-1975 at 27,283 it was brought in to Irv Toyota for the 27,000 mile service. The writing on this receipt is hard to read.
- On 1-20-1976 at 30,780 the car was brought in to Irv for the 30,000 mile service. Notes on Gas Mileage being a concern along with the compression testing out on all 4 cylinders equally at 170.
- On 4-21-1976 the car was brought in to Irv for its 33,000 mile service.
- The receipt is hard to read but it appears that on 5-10-1981 at 36,182 the car was brought in to Irv for its 36,000 mile service. The receipt notes that the car has trouble turning off easily and diesels. The compression is also tested and again all cylinders are equal at 170lbs.
- On 6-21-1983 there is a receipt for a new muffler from Midas with no mileage noted on the receipt.
- On 3-10-1989 there is a receipt for garnish trim pieces.
- On 11-28-1994 the car is taken to a Toyota Specialist with notes on removing and inspecting the Transmission, Flywheel and replacing the clutch. The receipt states 36,376 miles. I assume this service was done from the car sitting so long.
- On 3-18-98 the car is brought to Jiffy Lube by the original owner to get an oil change. The receipt documents the mileage at only 38,708.
- On 6-20-2002 the car is brought to a service shop specializing in Toyotas to get an oil change. The receipt documents the mileage at 40,183 miles.
- On 7-19-2002 the car is brought back to the service shop specializing in Toyotas to get all new belts and hoses and a new master cylinder at a cost of $630.18. The mileage at this time is documented to be at only 40,192 on this receipt.
- On 9-21-2010 the car is brought to the Toyota specialist with 40,642 miles noted on the receipt for an oil change.
- On 9-13-2011 the car is again brought to the Toyota specialist with 40,650 miles noted on the receipt for another oil change.
- On 3-23-2011 a new battery is purchased for the car with a 60 month warranty.
- On 5-3-2014 the original owner Carolyn Fitzwater passes away at the age of 78 years old with the Celica still in her possession.
- On 11-3-2014 the persons in charge of Carolyn’s estate take the car to have it checked out to get it road worthy. The notes on the receipt document the mileage at 40,681. The notes say that the car wont idle runs rough and that the customer wants it to be safe so it can be sold. The shop replaced the points, condenser, lights, both front brake rotors and pads, flushed all the brake systems and removed a tow bar from the front. The total for the service was $1044.97.
- On 11-7-2014 the car is taken to a Tire Store to get all new tires and valve stems. The receipt documents the mileage at 40,712. The cost for the tires is noted as $370.76 and they come with a 70K mile warranty.
- On 11-9-2014 the car is sold from the estate.
- On 11-12-2014 I purchased the car from the person who bought it at the estate.
Oh God, this is not the car for me. It is perfect, and although I love these old Celicas, I would want to make a mess of mine, and this deserves a far better fate than that.
But the deep green really is a perfect colour for this car. What a shame it was only a one year choice.
I’d drive it.
Sizable history gaps around early 80’s-mid 00. Wonder what was up.
From what I’d read, the car had been parked for extended periods of time. Probably what preserved it most in the end.
This is my car.. The reason for the sale is my personnel taste is a modified Celica and this one as mentioned deserves preservation in my opinion. It is truly a rare bird indeed with all of the documentation and the 614 color code (soul Olive). As far as the documentation and the long gaps in time I can only go by what was told to me with the supporting documents to make the timeline history. It did have a vintage tow hitch at some point up front and i assume the original owner may have had plans to tow it while traveling that never materialized. Based on the condition of not only the interior and exterior I believe this to be the case. If sat somewhere in dry storage with great intent that never happened. The owner obviously loved the car and it shows! There are a few smaller things that are evident that it is 41 years old but they are minor and can be fixed. As far as the pictures the auction only allows 24 and I wanted to ensure that the documentation is in there vs a few close up if rock chipped original paint and a few small dings close up!
My best friend bought a new Celica in 1971, and I was very impressed with how quiet and comfortable and fun that car was. Very high build quality, nice lines, reliability and good fuel mileage too. Compared to other small cars on the market at that time such as Pintos and VWs, it was like a miniature Rolls Royce.
My friend lives right by the owner of this car! He got ride in it once, he said it was flawless!!
My friend lives right by the owner of this car! He got to ride in it once, he said it was flawless!!
Sweet ride; wish I had the time/money/space, as usual…
Anybody know if there are any similar wheels still available? “Magnum 400s” would be cool, too…
How much for this car ? Where is it located?
How much for this car ? Where is it located?
For sale?
For sale?