SoCal Noob

[CompanyXPaladin]

Hey, my name is Edward, and I'm addicted to wrenching... :lol:

Anyway, I just picked up my new (to me) Celica and I love it! I can't wait to do more with it... Which, of course, brings me to my first question. I don't know for sure what year it is - the VIN starts TA12, the title says 1972, but the firewall is stamped RA24. It's a 2 door coupe, not a hatchback. I thought the RA24's were 1976-1977? Is the firewall stamp relevant? I just don't want to buy a bunch of stuff for a 71-75 and find out it won't fit... Thanks a million in advance, guys!

[WIQDTOY]

looks like a 76-77 Celica coupe.

and the title reads "1972"??? better calrify with the seller you bought it from.

[cervasa]

sounds like your seller may have changed the vin on your car

[CompanyXPaladin]

looks like a 76-77 Celica coupe.
and the title reads "1972"??? better calrify with the seller you bought it from.

I think I'll definitely clarify with him... It has a 20R motor in it, too, but he *said* that it originally had the 18R and he swapped it out a few thousand miles ago. Is it for sure a 76-77, or should I post pics of other areas..?

sounds like your seller may have changed the vin on your car :shock:

That doesn't sound good.... :?

Thanks for the replies and information! :)

[paul]

Ha ha just find a car like it in the salvage yard and swap the VIN back... Shhhhhh..

[WIQDTOY]

there's a build plate at the driver's side door jam area.

take a pic of it if you can and post it up.

the VIN swap might not be a bad thing... does the plates match the registration you got at least? if so, you have a RA24 model that's SMOG EXEMPT!

and NO I DO NOT APPROVE OF VIN SWAPS! IT'S ILLEGAL!

[Miles.BIDD]

hmm a celica stuck in an identity crisis...
no advice to give you about switching VINS, but i can tell you that it definitely is a 76-77. the elongated front end, mirrors, and flat corner lights, and 20r motor are a dead give away.

but if he told you that he had swapped the 18rc out for the 20r, there are some missing pieces from this puzzle we have here. either this car is really a Ra24 and he changed the title to a 72 to exempt smog, or he lied about the whole 18rc swap. or he did both actually.

get this settled, so you dont run into trouble in the future. but nice celica nonetheless