The Toyota Celica IMSA GTO is one of the most interesting race cars ever developed from a standard production model. Its development was the result of a collaboration between Toyota and the American team All American Racers (AAR), founded by motorsports legends Dan Gurney and Carroll Shelby.
Toyota wanted to use the Celica to strengthen its reputation in American motorsports. After successes in the lower GTU class, it moved up to the IMSA GTO class in 1986, where the Celica faced off against rivals such as the Ford Mustang, Porsche 911, and Chevrolet Corvette.
Although the production Celica was front-wheel drive, the racing version was a completely different car. AAR developed a tubular space-frame chassis, rear-wheel drive, and a rear-mounted Hewland transmission. The body was significantly modified for racing purposes.
Power came from a 2.1-liter turbocharged Toyota T four-cylinder engine, which, depending on the configuration, produced nearly 600 horses. Due to restrictions imposed by IMSA rules, the power output was approximately 450 horses.
At first glance, it catches the eye:
- with an extremely wide body
- with huge fenders
- distinctive rear wing
- with a low racing profile
- a turbocharged engine with an output of about 450 koní
- with a design that still resembles the production Celica
The IMSA GTO Celica was part of an ambitious American program by Toyota and AAR. This particular car, designated 86T-002, was completed in July 1986 and is one of only three vehicles built for the 1986, 1987, and 1988 seasons.
After the program ended in 1989, Toyota sold the car to its driver at the time, Chris Corda. To this day, it remains an exceptionally rare example of the fusion of Japanese technology and American racing engineering.
