1976 TOYOTA CELICA NAMED WINNER OF MOTOR
TREND'S IMPORT CAR OF THE YEAR AWARD IN THE UNITED STATES

TOKYO―Toyota's sporty line of Celica models has been named winner of the 1976 Motor Trend Import Car of the Year Award, the magazine announced on March 23rd.

The award recognizes all three models in the Celica line―ST, GT, and all-new Liftback―for outstanding automotive styling, efficiency in natural resource use, safety, engineering, new design concepts and creative application of new materials.

Motor Trend's editors made the selection from a field of five nominees: the Celica, Porsche Turbo Carrera, Volkswagen Rabbit, Honda CVCC five-speed and Renault R-5.

The award, gold engineer's calipers mounted on a marble base, symbolizes the many factors that combined to create the most significant contribution to the import auto field in 1976, the magazine said.

In the April issue of Motor Trend, the editors say the Celica "has been a significant force in the U.S. automotive scene for several years and has received on-going improvement and refinement from Toyota's engineering department."

The article also notes that the success of the first Celica ST sports sedan, introduced in 1971, prompted Toyota to add a GT model to the line in 1973. The GT offered a five-speed transmission, wider wheels and tires and improved suspension system.

"This year's Toyota Liftback GT, with extended wheelbase and widened track, is a GT in the tradition of grand touring machines," the editors say. "It is designed to transport people and luggage over long distances quickly, safely, comfortably and efficiently."

Although Motor Trend's Import Car of the Year Award is for Toyota's 1976 Celica line, the editors announce, "It is also in recognition of the quality of all those that have gone before."

Earlier this year Motor Trend presented the Domestic Car of the Year Award to Chrysler Corp. for its Dodge Aspen and Plymouth Volare.