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Growing up with dreams of becoming a car designer, the first-generation Toyota Celica coupé was one of my all-time favourite designs.
In fact, I still have an A3-sized drawing of a green Celica GT, complete with over-fenders, stashed away somewhere. But I don’t think my 10-year-old self could have ever imagined a build quite like the 1976 Celica ‘GTV12,’ brought to life by Shawn Bassett and his team at Attacking The Clock Racing, and on display at the 2024 SEMA Show in the Toyo Treadpass.
Gone is the original four-cylinder engine, replaced by a stunning 1GZ-FE V12 from a Toyota Century. With billet rocker covers, individual throttle bodies, tubular exhaust manifolds, and a polished CSF Race radiator, the setup looks like a precious jewel set in the metallic green engine bay.
The transmission swap is just as impressive, with the Century’s lethargic 4-speed auto replaced by a ZF 8-speed from an A90 Supra. But that’s not all.
Peek inside, and you’ll spot a sequential shift lever and a clutch pedal in the OBP adjustable pedal box. That’s because the automatic ZF transmission has been cleverly programmed to mimic the feel of a manual gearbox, with electronic ‘clutch control’ enhancing the sequential shifting capability.
The suspension is equally bespoke, transforming this old-school mini-muscle car into something more modern and agile. The front end now runs S13 Nissan geometry, while the rear features a custom pushrod arrangement. The team at Moton Suspension crafted a one-off setup for the Celica, complete with inverted dampers and special anodising to tie in with the green colour scheme.
Speaking of which, I must admit, I’m a sucker for green on tan. The theme for the build was to create a hot rod using as many Toyota parts as possible, right down to the metallic British Racing Green paint borrowed from a special-edition JDM GT86. Rivet-less overfenders flow into deep side skirts and an even deeper chin spoiler, giving the little coupé unmistakable IMSA vibes.
The cherry on top is the set of BBS E55s wrapped in Toyo Proxes R888R tyres – a combo that would make any split-rim enthusiast go weak at the knees.
The paint job is broken up by custom ‘spread-tow’ carbon fibre accents, visible in the bold square weave pattern.
Inside, it’s a sea of Lamborghini ‘Kela Brown’ leather and suede. The sun visors, roll bar, and steering wheel were all expertly reworked by the trimmers at E3 Upholstery, as were the carbon shell bucket seats fitted with Willans harnesses.
This happens when a shop specialising in Pikes Peak competition cars is asked to do something extraordinary. And extraordinary this Celica is – so much so that it’s hands down my favourite Toyo Treadpass build this year.
Mario Christou
Instagram: mcwpn, mariochristou.world
mariochristou.world
Photography by Darrien Craven
Instagram: _crvn_