OK so I went to get it this weekend. Train to Paris, metro across Paris, TGV to near Bordeaux where the car was. It is RHD and has a UK (Carlisle) reg no engraved onto the windows. Mileage is 31,000, no docs to back this up but the owner insisted it was genuine and having driven it I think it probably is.
So, i set off and the first problem was that the brakes did not work. Well they did, but the pedal went right to the floor and the car started to slow down. V poor. I thought 'christ, this is going to be a right mission, no fuggin brakes for 500 miles' and after a while stopped to have a look.
Doh! No brake fluid. So, I bought some and boshed it in, hey presto! Brakes restored. So off I went.
Its a 1600cc 4-speed, and i must say, it is GREAT to drive. Very sprightly with firm suspension and direct steering, dunno if its a rack or what but its pretty sharp and well-weighted (compared to the Mazdas anyway which are sh@t). The engine is torquey and responsive and it even has a nice Alfasud-esque rasp to the exhaust at certain speeds. The only problem is, it's very low-geared... 60-65 is a happy cruising speed. More than that and the engine complains bitterly. This also results in mediocre fuel economy - I got 31.5 mpg, across country, and staying below 65mph. Not very impressive.
Check the tail lights!
Having driven it all the way home, it seems great! No major issues really. Plenty of blebs but no holes and no previous welding. I reckon it will go through the MOT alright.
The interior is dirty but complete and there are no rips etc in the seats.
How can you resist a car with a badge like this!
More photos to follow in 15 years when I finish T-cutting it. Out of all my fleet this is looking the most likely to find its way to RCS this year so look out! With a slightly more pokey engine and a 5-speed box I reckon it would make a really ace driving tool.
Does anyone know if an old RWD celica would have a suitable 5-speeder?
So, i set off and the first problem was that the brakes did not work. Well they did, but the pedal went right to the floor and the car started to slow down. V poor. I thought 'christ, this is going to be a right mission, no fuggin brakes for 500 miles' and after a while stopped to have a look.
Doh! No brake fluid. So, I bought some and boshed it in, hey presto! Brakes restored. So off I went.
Its a 1600cc 4-speed, and i must say, it is GREAT to drive. Very sprightly with firm suspension and direct steering, dunno if its a rack or what but its pretty sharp and well-weighted (compared to the Mazdas anyway which are sh@t). The engine is torquey and responsive and it even has a nice Alfasud-esque rasp to the exhaust at certain speeds. The only problem is, it's very low-geared... 60-65 is a happy cruising speed. More than that and the engine complains bitterly. This also results in mediocre fuel economy - I got 31.5 mpg, across country, and staying below 65mph. Not very impressive.
Check the tail lights!
Having driven it all the way home, it seems great! No major issues really. Plenty of blebs but no holes and no previous welding. I reckon it will go through the MOT alright.
The interior is dirty but complete and there are no rips etc in the seats.
How can you resist a car with a badge like this!
More photos to follow in 15 years when I finish T-cutting it. Out of all my fleet this is looking the most likely to find its way to RCS this year so look out! With a slightly more pokey engine and a 5-speed box I reckon it would make a really ace driving tool.
Does anyone know if an old RWD celica would have a suitable 5-speeder?
really like it. i think a roofrack and an inch or two out of the suspension wouldnt go a miss though 
