New owner of a 76 Celica Liftback GT... Oooops!! It's a '77!

[miami]

guys i'm really as to what's the difference between a 76 & 77 gt liftback and how can you identify it by looking at the car itself and not the body number or tag?

[Im jhun_hapi]

They are the same only the difference is ra25 with banana lites and something else..some one correct me pls.

[Im jhun_hapi]

Hi Rocky! I think I saw you last February in Clark International Speedway. You drove with Phil from Manila right?

actaully it was supposed to be me... i was in the Philippines at the time for 2 weeks in Febuary and was supposed to meet up with Philip at Clark for a gathering they had.

but i missed out due to prior engagements.

i plan to return this November and hope to meet some fellow old schoolers this time around!

that's was Ray for sure. I haven't been back in PI since 2000. Hopefully I'll be back next yr if I have some cash.

[koolgtRA29]

There's not much difference in the '76 and '77 RA29 Celica liftback except for the instrument gauges. Notice the difference here.

Here's a '76, has the fuel and temp guage combinded with the charge and oil light combined.



The speedometer only has only MPH too



A '77 has the fuel guage with the oil light and the temp guage with charge light combined.



The speedometer has the MPH AND KPH combined



Some of the RA29 might have a California spec. 20R engine and/or may have a catalyst with and exhaust temp probe in it. Notice the exhaut temp light too from above.


RA29 are US Version, RA28 are JDM Version right hand drive, TA25 are also JDM but the earlier Liftbacks with shorter hoods and slightly smaller. The JDM Liftbacks mainly came with those banana tailights and smiley bumpers

[koolgtRA29]

That was Roy that convoyed with me from Manila. The one with the black Liftback and those huge rims. Octopusprime is his name on OSP.

I invited Ray to come meet up with me if time permitted that time he was in the Philippines. Ray I can't wait to meet up with you one day. Hopefully I can finally see the WIQDTOY even though I remember you mentioning it is officially retired from car shows. I was supposed to go to TORC 2010 but some last minute things came up. One of these days.... I'll try to make time for JCCS 2010. Hopefully we can meet there!

[WIQDTOY]

That was Roy that convoyed with me from Manila. The one with the black Liftback and those huge rims. Octopusprime is his name on OSP.

I invited Ray to come meet up with me if time permitted that time he was in the Philippines. Ray I can't wait to meet up with you one day. Hopefully I can finally see the WIQDTOY even though I remember you mentioning it is officially retired from car shows. I was supposed to go to TORC 2010 but some last minute things came up. One of these days.... I'll try to make time for JCCS 2010. Hopefully we can meet there!

Phil: try for JCCS 2010! Arnie said he'll try and make it out this year to JCCS.

if ever you're back in the Philippines in November, we should try and hook up! i'll be there the first 2 weeks for All Souls/All Saints Day.

the WIQDTOY is done from car shows... it needs to start seeing some track time now

sorry to hijak your thread Jen. this invatation extends out to you and fellow 1stgencelica members: try and make it out to JCCS this year! we plan to have a larger group this time to make the 6 hour drive to Long Beach!

by large i mean we hooked up with some Datsun guys willing to convoy with us.

[miami]

Oooooopppsss!!! Now I got you guys all mixed up! Sorry Ray, Roy, Rocky. Ehehe.

Thanks Phil, now I know the difference. Thanks for the info.

Ray, it's okay. You can hijack it anytime. Hahaha!

Guys, how about for the engine, I think celicas were usually powered by 18R or 20R engines right? How about 3T engines, which model originally came with it?

Jen

[Im jhun_hapi]

Jen as for the power plant it's really up to u. There's a topic on engines it will answer mostly ur Qs but I don't know were exactly at. Anyone chime in..

[miami]

Hi guys! I went to the shop last Saturday, 26 June 2010, to check the progress of my car. The dash is already in, engine's mounted, tranny's halfway done, ceiling already in, trimmings & windows installed.

However, I have a slight problem with the upper portion of the dash. It seems like it was damaged before and someone tried to restore it and installed a new leather but the color and material doesn't match the original. Did a real piss poor job with it. Plus, the door handle inside has its leather all cracked up. I think i'm gonna have problems restoring the interior. Also, all the emblems are missing. However, for the body and paint, everything looks perfect! Will post pics soon. Took a bunch of them when I was there.

Also.... To my , it's not a 1976 liftback after all. It's a '77!!!

Jen

[Im jhun_hapi]

Hi guys! I went to the shop last Saturday, 26 June 2010, to check the progress of my car. The dash is already in, engine's mounted, tranny's halfway done, ceiling already in, trimmings & windows installed.

However, I have a slight problem with the upper portion of the dash. It seems like it was damaged before and someone tried to restore it and installed a new leather but the color and material doesn't match the original. Did a real piss poor job with it. Plus, the door handle inside has its leather all cracked up. I think i'm gonna have problems restoring the interior. Also, all the emblems are missing. However, for the body and paint, everything looks perfect! Will post pics soon. Took a bunch of them when I was there.

Also.... To my , it's not a 1976 liftback after all. It's a '77!!!

Jen

Jen don't stress out too much. As for the dash, u can buy a plastic cap they still sell itin ebay. The only bad thing is shipping will kill u. If I were u I can use that money to fill the cracks and wrap it with new leather matchin ur interior and u can use stitchings to highlght the curves and corners of it. As long it's properly prep it will last very long.

The door handle u can do the same..

The emblems are being reproduce right now. Check out the vendors. Very cheap compare to used and NOS ones. Weatherstripping is also available. But not all if them is on stock just talk to Groupb.

Labor is so cheap there so if I were u copy the door panels and sell it here..

Good luck. Keep it updated with pics

Rocky

[miami]

Thanks Rocky! Hopefully I can upload the pictures by tomorrow. Yeah most probably I'll have the interior copied here. But I guess that'll come after I've paid the car in full.

Also, guys, I need your opinion on my car's color. Originally, It's supposed to be painted Jet Black with 2 Charcoal Gray racing stripes in the middle. After I saw it last Saturday all painted black, I'm having second thoughts weather I'm still gonna have the racing stripes or not. What do you guys think? I'm really torn right now...

Jen

[madds]

hi jen, with regard to the color, i think any color is good for as long as it is done neatly ang glossy...for me, racing stripes are good for as long as your engine is capable to race.just my opinion

if you will not be very satisfied with the outcome of the paint job, just put in a nice set of wheels.

[WIQDTOY]

if i was building a car in the Philippines, i would choose a color that won't take in too much heat and looks clean even when dirty.

i would try and shave off all moldings and emblems to help minimize build up of dirt and speed up cleaning and detailing.

i noticed that they like to paint the chassis as well to help preserve the car from rust underneath.

leather or vinyl would be killer in the Philippine heat so fabric would be my choice for the interior. and tint the windows with 5% window film to protect the interior.

[Im jhun_hapi]

I agree wid Ray get cloth seats but leather panels. I'll do lite exterior color. People think if u have racing strips u have something underneath the hood, I hate wanna bees too.. Hey it's ur ride do what ever u wants. Yes pictures.. Protect ur car from the elements. Pls don't drive it on floody days. Also put a thick metal stip under the car against scrapes and big @$$ potholes. Hehehe

[miami]

Hi guys! I made a new thread at the Celica Project Gallery section. I posted the latest photos of my car there.

Thanks!

Jen