1974 Toyota Celica restomod distances itself from the original

A recent Bring a Trailer ad is offering a 47-year-old Toyota Celica coupe for sale with barely 1,000 miles (1,600 km) of use since restoration. Spare parts, tools, a record and build details are included with the lot.

Bell’s AutoSport workshop based in California carried out the project, stripping the body clean and removing any rust before re-painting it in vivid blue. Additions included a front spoiler, AP Racing mirror caps, Lexan glass, and LED-based lighting all around.

Fashionable 15-inch XXR wheels occupied the arches shod in Nitto NT05 205/50 tires, and the suspension and brakes were reinforced to modern standards. Steering also received its fair share of improvements.

Looking inside, one can find BRAUM bucket seats wrapped in black leather and blue jeans fabric. Aluminum accents can be found on the center console, the dashboard and the door panels, and the steering wheel is a quick-release Momo Prototipo model.

Powering the ride is a somewhat more recent, yet not nearly modern 3S-Ge engine linked to a six-speed manual gearbox and RWD. We do not have the specs, unfortunately.

As you may see, this is not exactly what you would call a pure restoration, so Celica purists should probably look for their dream ride elsewhere. On the other hand, as a modern car with classic looks, this restomod seems to tick all the boxes.