Tom Kyle's Car Images

Yoshi after taking a bath

Yoshi is my 1983 Toyota Celica GT Liftback, and the reason for this web page. I bought the car in April of '96 for a mere $1400, and until now has mainly been my way of commuting to the University. So far the engine remains its stock, 105hp self, but as it already has over 156,000 miles and I seem to have been bitten by the "performance bug," it looks like things may change soon. My only performance mods to date include a K&N filter and a Centerforce Stage I clutch. Next month a good friend of mine is going to instruct me in the black art of throttle body porting, that should be fun! In the spring I may install a Doug Thorley header, depending on cash reserves. I'd also like to pick up a dead 22RE motor and rebuild it to my own specs, I'm shooting for 150hp.

Here's what popping for the GT in 1983 got you: E-F-I. This was the first year for it in the Celica, and allowed the 1983 GT to be the first Celica to have more horsepower than the year before. The system was based on the Bosch Jettronic, being a true port-injection setup. If you've ever seen all the vacuum lines on a carbureted 22R-C (or any 80s motor), you'll appreciate the relative simplicity of this motor!

Rust is the bane of all Celica owners, here's a good shot of Yoshi's left rear fender. I'd like to cut this out this summer, there's some I couldn't take a shot of in the wheel well, very close to the shock mount. Watch for this when buying a Celica or Supra! I've seen cars with beautiful, rust-free bodies that have the shock mount rusted to the point of feeling literally like sponge. A car in this condition is just plain dangerous in the event of an accident, so unless you're going to try to get it cut out & the mount rebuilt, don't bother. Note the missing black trim along the bottom of the door & fender, these stupid things hold moisture like crazy. I lost all of mine within months of buying the car.

Here's a good rear shot of the RA64. Coupes had an entirely different look from behind than the liftbacks, I think it adds a lot of character to the lineup. Again, note the rust around the Toyota and Celica GT emblems. Luckily this is only surface rust, a dremel I got for Christmas should take care of this quite easily when it gets warm here in St. Louis this spring. Once I get some modifications done and some bodywork as well, you can bet the license plates will be changed to read YOSHI! Notice to all 1983 and 1984 Owners!

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Tom Kyle