New 73 Celica GT Today

[pat5150]

I just towed my, new to me, 73 GT home today. It belonged to my next door neighbor in 87 then he gave it to my dad to keep if he could fix it (head gasket if I remember correctly, I was 8 at the time). It eventually went to my uncle in Carson, NV who kept it running and gave it to my cousin, then to my grandparents, then it came back to him in 03 and has been sitting in his side yard since then. Until today. Now it is in Truckee, CA and in need of some TLC. The 18rc seems to have been kept up quite well but the interior and exterior could use some work, but for 246,000 miles its in decent shape. Tomorrow I plan on getting it fired up and moving... if the tires hold air. Any tips for getting one of these going that has been sitting in a high desert for 7 years? I will drain the tank, change all the fluids, and put in new plugs. Then fire it up I hope???

[pat5150]

[faffi]

it's a toyota normaly no problem mine didden't run for 3 years and it was no problem only a new battery
good luck and have fun with your car

[pat5150]

got the fuel drained, the carb cleaned, new plugs, new batt. and changed the oil and it will only run with starting fluid. i put 2 gallons in the tank and i seem to be getting fuel to the carb but it still wont start. it wants to but just wont get fired up. everything should have been adjusted right as it ran well before it was left to sit. i did loose one of the the copper washers at the fuel line inlet to the carb and it is leaking. i gotta get a new washer and try it again. maybe ill have time tonight. if not ill get it running tomorrow for sure.

[will]

we didn't get GT's here in the states until 74.
you sure its not a 74? Or a 73 with GT badging?
that looks like a late -74 GT block front badge.

[ChristobalRocks]

He's got a later model front fender too. The rear fender looks like a 73 fender though.

Like most old cars, it's probably got a few replacement parts.

[pat5150]

Yeah, so to my surprise it is a 74 I found an old receipt in the trunk from Feb. 1980 for nearly $2000 in repairs (couldn't make out what repairs though) and when I was looking it over It said 74 Celica and it struck me to actually check the pink slip and sure enough 74, and even on the cover of the owners manual in the glove box. I was told 73 and just didn't even think to check. luckily all the parts I have gotten have been the same.

[pat5150]

I also have a replacement fender in the trunk for the left side but the markings on it say it is from a 70. Are these fenders the same or do I need a 74/75 fender?

[Toydocktr]

I have an OCT. 1973 build date on my 1973 GT it is all original and is a USA car!

[ChristobalRocks]

Yeah, so to my surprise it is a 74 I found an old receipt in the trunk from Feb. 1980 for nearly $2000 in repairs (couldn't make out what repairs though) and when I was looking it over It said 74 Celica and it struck me to actually check the pink slip and sure enough 74, and even on the cover of the owners manual in the glove box. I was told 73 and just didn't even think to check. luckily all the parts I have gotten have been the same.

What does the manufacturer's plate say? (Look in your driver's door)

[Toydocktr]

october 1973

[pat5150]

June 74