toyota celica liftback
in

Toyota Celica SV-1 Fastback. 50 years of the «Japanese Mustang»

The Toyota Celica Liftback is known as the "Japanese Mustang." A hard-earned nickname, since the company itself sought to adapt to North American tastes in sports in order to penetrate its market more easily. A strategy that had the SV-1 prototype as the spearhead. It is now half a century since its presentation at the 1971 Tokyo Motor Show.

Since World War II there have been three basic markets for motorsports: the European, the North American and the Japanese. Starting from this base, interactions and mutual dependencies can be seen, but especially a very marked individual character in each of them. Something that companies such as Ford or General Motors know, who when landing in Europe have had to do with vehicles designed exclusively for this market. A good example of this is the 1968 Ford Capri. Ford Europe's adaptation of the Mustang to the British and continental market using components from the Cortina.

A mimesis with the final market that has not occurred in the case of European companies that have crossed the Atlantic, since it is precisely there that English, German or Italian cars are valued for their characteristics diametrically opposed to those of local ones. Proof of this is the success of the Porsche 356 and 911. Ideal for twisty driving and defined by their low weight. But nevertheless, Where was the Japanese market looking? Would it conquer with its own character or would it have to adapt to the conditions of the new markets?

To begin with, until the sixties Japanese motor racing had as its own character only a sober simplicity fruit of the postwar period and the great demographic density in the cities. That is why almost the entire landscape was dominated by microches. A trend that began to reverse with the appearance of models equipped with great technological precision. Point by which an identity began to be defined that the Japanese have known how to exploit very well. However, the technical quality did not seem to be sufficient to enter the American market. Something that proved the case of the Mazda Cosmo and its rotary engine in 1967.

For this reason, Japanese manufacturers began to design cars to imitate those of Detroit. Something seen in the sports car segment, where they were blatantly inspired by models like the Mustang. The result of this was the Toyota Celica Liftback. A very popular model that had its precursor in the SV-1 prototype presented at the 1971 Tokyo Motor Show.

TOYOTA CELICA LIFTBACK. THE RESULT OF THE SV-1 PROTOTYPE

Manufactured from 1970 to 2006, the Toyota Celica has been one of the brand's greatest successes. An unmitigated success that lasted through seven evolutions, the protagonist of two constructors 'titles and four drivers' titles in the World Rally Championship. All this based on a commercial approach aimed at an audience interested in sportsmanship but with a not particularly buoyant economy. A feature that made the Celica a sports car for the masses, combining practicality with efficient cornering response. In short, an accessible sports car capable of conquering any of the three main automotive markets.

However, although the ST / GT versions covered the sportiest part of the range with their 1600 engine and fastback coupe body ... The truth is that Toyota needed to give the Celica an extra point to enter the American market with force. To do this, he carried out a design study materialized in the SV-1 prototype. One of the protagonists of the Toyota space at the 1971 Tokyo Motor Show, which shared attention with the RV-1. The trial of the company with a formula known as recreational vehicles, which was based on camperizing on the basis of a sports car with raised suspensions. Because yes, the RV-1 is a Celica designed to go on roads with recreational purposes. Something like a powered SUV, but with two doors and fifty years ago.

Obviously, this concept did not make it to the series. Something that did not happen at all with the SV-1, which was a direct inspiration for the 1973 Toyota Celica Liftback. A car that incorporated its main change in a rear window where the rear window and the boot lid were joined in the same piece, forming a smooth fall. But also a more metallic and muscular side, thus being a vehicle visually homologated to the "Muscle car". Just what Toyota intended. A brand that, finally, had managed to find a product capable of offering the virtues of the Mustang at a lower price.

A RACING WINNER WHO TARDED TO LEAVE OUT OF JAPAN

Only two elements changed from the SV-1 prototype to the Toyota Celica Liftback: the design of the taillights - unabashedly similar to those of the Mustang in the production car - and the position of the gas cap. Otherwise, it was basically the same car. Even in the mechanics, since the Liftback was based on the 1600 115CV mounted on the prototype. An engine capable of giving victories to the brand, as demonstrated by the Celica 1600 GT that won its class in the 24 Hours of Spa 1973.

In addition, that year the two-liter engine began to become popular, the basis of the spectacular LB version that won the 1000 kilometers of Fuji with liftback bodywork. In this way, the Toyota Celica Liftback reached the Japanese market in four versions. The result of the 1 and 6-liter displacements combined with the ST or GT finishes. Nevertheless, The curious thing about all this is that the model did not go on export until 1976. Such a late time that even the Celica range had already received its first design update. Something that weighed on sales, especially in the United States, where the model was offered in a single GT version with a 2-liter engine.

Anyway, in the domestic market it had already paid off quite well. Also being a perfect testing ground to refine the products that Toyota would offer in the North American. Mercado en el ended up having good commercial results, in part thanks to the adaptation it made to local tastes. Just the highlight of the 1 SV-1971. The prototype that now turns 50 as the forerunner of the Toyota Celica Liftback.

Photographs: Toyota

What do you think?

avatar photo

Written by Miguel Sánchez

Through the news from La Escudería, we will travel the winding roads of Maranello listening to the roar of the Italian V12; We will travel Route66 in search of the power of the great American engines; we will get lost in the narrow English lanes tracking the elegance of their sports cars; We will speed up the braking in the curves of the Monte Carlo Rally and we will even get dusty in a garage while rescuing lost jewels.

Subscribe to the newsletter

Once a month in your mail.

Thanks a lot! Do not forget to confirm your subscription through the email that we have just sent you.

Something has gone wrong. Please try again.

60.2 kHappy fans
2.1 kFollowers
3.4 kFollowers
3.8 kFollowers