1989 Toyota Celica GT4 ST165

Description

1989 Toyota Celica GT4 ST165 #9752

Registration: G533 UFB

Mileage: 79,391 miles

VIN: JT1LST16500009752

Found in a dry barn in early 2023 near Chippenham, Wiltshire. This very rare homologation rally car was first registered as a UK car in August 1989, Supplied by Penndenis Toyota of Staple Hill, Bristol. it was run and taxed until 1996 when it was taken off the road and has been dry stored ever since. The family family acquired the car in May 1995. It has 6 previous owners on the V5C, three of the owners were from this same family as the car was passed down. These ST165’s are so rare that you will be unlikely to see one in the UK for sale at all, let alone in a solid, original state. Due to being dry stored the bodywork and underside has remained in fantastic condition. The underside of the car remains unrestored and still has its original chassis protection from factory.

A last year production model and one of the last 400 cars ever made of the ST165, on a Bristol registration it has never left the South-West UK and would have retailed at £21,477. According to the owner’s club there are only around 12 GT4’s currently registered on UK roads. So, if you are an enthusiast of homologation specials from some of the best years of rallying this is a great opportunity. As well as good success on the Rally circuit with some of the world’s top rally crews, the ST165 also won the 1987 IMSA GTO championship. In its period of world rallying, the ST165 took a stack of podiums and thirteen overall wins with Carlos Sainz taking the drivers title in 1990. Other notable drivers included Kenneth Eriksson, Juha Kankkunan, Bjorn Waldergaard and David Llewellin. The latter having great success in the British Rally Championship in a Group N car taking over 100 stage wins in 1990 and 1991.

Fitted with the first generation 3SGTE 16v turbo engine that was used in every iteration of the GT4 model and with AWD, these cars produced 182bhp and 184ft/lb from factory offering substantial performance for its era. This era of Celica was also announced as WhatCars favourite coupe for the year two years running, beating both the Audi Quattro and Porsche 944.

I have spent a large amount of money getting the car recommissioned but just as we need to do the last few jobs which are basically a little paint and MOT the engine is smoking and I’m out of time and money for this project. The car runs and drives but produces blue smoke. Engine was pressure tested cold at around 150psi across the board. I do have a spare correct Gen1 complete engine to include in the sale.  So just needs someone to swap all the new engine parts I already had fitted or use one of the engines for a fresh rebuild. Only the rear bumper, option sunroof and mirrors need painting, the rest of the paint is factory and has received minor PDR treatment followed by a polish. The interior is very tidy and original as per the rest of the car. The work over the past few months has resulted in one of the most original and cleanest ST165’s left in the UK. Gearbox, brakes, electrics all work, pop up lights etc. Finished similar cars in Europe have been listed at £25k-£35k so there is plenty of room in this car.

Sadly, the original history for the car was lost at some point but a current V5C is present along with all paperwork from its restoration including labour and parts receipts. The correct spare alloy wheel and tool kit are also present.

The car has received the following parts and work since we pulled it from a dry barn in February 2023. Majority of parts have been supplied by GT4-Play the UK’s Celica parts specialist and genuine Toyota parts have been used where possible. Where required, Perished rubber pipes, nuts and bolts have been replaced. Thousands spent on restoration. Car is HPi Clear. More images and walk around video upon request. Can assist with shipping. Viewing by appointment. Happy to talk on the phone to serious bidders.

• Cambelt kit including pulleys, idlers, water pump, thermostat, oil pump, gaskets and auxiliary drive belt
• Factory turbo rebuilt with associated gaskets, studs and nuts
• Full service including fluids and filters, new battery and wiper blades
• New Spark plugs, Ignition Coil, Distributor cap and arm
• New brake pads, caliper bleed nipples and fresh brake fluid
• Fuel tank restored, re-lined and new walbro in tank fuel pump fitted
• New premium Toyo tyres
• Paintless dent removal
• New Battery