Apr. 10, 1973

TOYOTA MARKETS NEW "CELICA LIFT BACK" SERIES IN JAPAN

 

TOKYO―On April 6th, Toyota Motor Sales Co. placed on the domestic market a stylish new "CELICA LIFT BACK" series of its Celica specialty car.

The "CELICA LIFT BACK" was developed to match increased public participation in rapidly diversifying leisure activities, as well as growing car-owner interest in sport or leisure-oriented driving.

In designing its new "CELICA LIFT BACK" series, therefore, Toyota took steps to enhance certain style and performance features and enlarge the utility space, while retaining the unique qualities of the Celica as a specialty car.

Key features of the new "CELICA LIFT BACK" series are
  1. Its silhouette incorporates a long-nose and short-deck into a full-fastback coupe, while maintaining the very unique and advanced styling motifs of a specialty car.
  2. The back door is raised vertically by hand to provide maximum entry and space and permit the easy handling of luggage.
  3. The luggage area―which is large enough to handle skis, aqualungs, surfing boards, or other bulky equipment―is also designed so that the rear seats recline to form a large level storage area.
  4. Specifications of the Toyota Celica Lift Back
    Seating capacity
    4 persons
    Over-all length
    4,215 mm
    Over-all width
    1,620 mm
    Over-all height
    *1,280 mm
    Wheel-base
    2,425 mm
    Engine type
    2T Series (1,588 cc)
    18R Series (1,968 cc)

    *(also available in 1,290 mm)

With the new "CELICA LIFT BACK" series added to the Celica line, Toyota Motor Sales Co. now plans to raise its monthly domestic sales target for Celica to the 10,000 unit-mark.

FACT SHEET

BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON DEVELOPMENT
OF THE "CELICA LIFT BACK" SERIES

Environmental changes in motorization

The increase in consumer income has occasioned a parallel rise in the public's leisure-related expenditures and general leisure activities have tended to diversify and expand.

Further, opportunities are increasing for enjoying long-distance, high-speed driving; this is a direct result of the development of many advanced highway networks, such as the Tomei and Meishin freeways.

Amid such environmental changes, driver interest has been mounting in leisure-oriented motor vehicles which combine high performance with good space utilization features.

Market diversification and personalization

Because of the progress made in motorization, the automobile market has simultaneously tended to shift from family-use orientation to personal-use orientation.

Coupe and hardtop styles have eroded the family sedan market, indicating that motorist preference has changed in the direction of personalization.

The role of Celica―a new personal-use car

When hardtops and coupes first appeared on the market, their unique styling and high personal-use features attracted many motorists. But, with increased demand, these models have now become somewhat common in the automobile market.

Many drivers now seek a car which is better suited for personal use. It is against this background that Celica, a new personal-use car, was born.

The "CELICA LIFT BACK" series is a further development of this specialty car designed to meet new environmental changes and market diversification.

Downloads (Images)

  • TOYOTA CELICA LIFT BACK ST
    TOYOTA CELICA LIFT BACK ST
  • TOYOTA CELICA LIFT BACK 2000GT
    TOYOTA CELICA LIFT BACK 2000GT