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The Celica was the Japanese Capri, styled in the idiom of the Ford Mustang. It was based on the boggo Carina, however, so the sophisticated styling hid plodding mechanicals and the usual vague recirculating ball steering that deleted driver enjoyment from the Japanese car menu in the '70s. The live rear axle didn't make for a smooth ride either, but it was no worse than a Capri's.
The 2000GT version did have a redeeming feature, however: a twin-cam engine. Smooth and lusty, it could push the Celica to 112 mph and was matched to a five-speed gearbox that could equal anything in Europe for slickness. The car proved its stamina in world rallying, so it's even got some competition pedigree. Europhiles turned their noses up at the Celica's plasticky, ornate interior but it enjoyed all the desirable extras of the day as standard: reclining seats, pushbutton radio and a coin-holder for car-park change.
As well as the notchback, there was a slightly longer fastback version with a lift-up tailgate, which looked even more like a '60s Mustang. After the demise of this generation of Celica in 1977, the model became progressively uglier. Definitely one of the better mainstream Japanese cars - but try finding one today.
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