The TRD Sports M Celica was made solely for the Japanese market. Many people claim their normal VVTLi is a sports M, when in fact they're just normal versions. In reality the differences are very significant and there are just a handful of genuine examples in the UK. Toyota's TRD tuning arm built just 1,200, each with it's unique chassis plate denoting the build number (This one's ZZT231-M0498). Their mission was to make the car lighter, stiffer, faster and better handling - which they most certainly did!Nowadays Sports M's are either cherished by enthusiasts, or they've been killed off over the years from being raced, neglected abused...
This unique Celica TRD Sports M was originally sold by ourselves a year ago - to an enthusiast from the UK living in Japan during which he's covered less than 5000 miles during occasional weekends away. His wife is about to have their first baby the sports car now had to make way for a bigger family car. During the recent owner's tenure it's been lavished with improvements whilst retaining the original feel of performance as conceived by TRD. As he's local to us in Japan we've been looking after it since it was sold and have driven it ourselves on numerous occasions.This is a car we know very well and so are delighted to offer from our stock once more so that another enthusiast can benefit from the numerous parts recently added for enhancement. Recent Improvements Wheels have been upgraded to 17 inch Buddy Club P1's shod with brand new sports tyres. Wheel nuts are brand new Kics Racing R40 with security for each wheel. To improve stance, Project Kics hub centric spacers are used to increased track, which in turn offers significant improvements in handling without taking away the playfulness of the rear end when the throttle's lifted...Inside, the front seats had worn on the sides, so we had each of the side bolsters replaced with much harder wearing leather. Fit is perfect and seats are like new now. Floor mats were also worn, so these were replaced too. Externally the rear spoiler was replaced with a colour coded 3 piece assembly with adjustable high level wet carbon blade. The original front bumper was removed completely repainted by Toyota, along with other small imperfections to make the bodywork perfect. Whilst the front bumper was off, the corner repeaters were replaced with clear type. A brand new Blitz induction kit has helped improve intake response (Original airbox with TRD sports air filter is included). As the car was previously sold with new oil, it's recently had another full service including replacement of the serpentine belt. It's recently had a complete 8 stage detailing session with us and is always kept in a dry, cool garage. Paintwork is in amazing condition as it's been washed and polished carefully regularly.We never see any of these on roads in Japan any more. Very few remain and having put right all the little things that were amis, this is now one of the nicest TRD Celica Sports M's left.
Original Sports M Factory Upgrades: During manufacture TRD started by stiffening the monocoque chassis with extra spot welds to suspension structural points roof pilars whilst reducing sound proofing and thus shedding weight. The engine was fettled with TRD light weight pistons of increased compression, re-profiled high-lift camshafts lightweight valves. The includes a TRD manifold high response Version S muffler. This combination increases power to 210ps. A TRD Helical LSD with uprated organic clutch virtually banishes wheelspin off the line whilst the gear-box ratios are revised to close ratio (6 speed). Suspension consists of uprated to TRD Sportivo shock absorbers, a thicker front anti-roll bar uprated TRD suspension bushes. In typical TRD fashion, the body-kit of the Sports M enhances the original design without resorting to excessive fuss. Unique Sports M features include a revised front lip, side skirts, rear valence and (usualy low type - now replaced) rear spoiler - with just two badges to give a clue of the tasty changes beneath the skin.Note this body-kit was made of injection moulded Polyeurethane so it's resilient to stone chips and the damage that FRP bodykits tend to suffer from regular use. On this example a set of very rare and desirable TRD original option HID headlights are fitted - an item other 7th Generation Celica owners certainly can't help noticing. Inside, the TRD theme continues with half Alcantara / Leather sports seats and alcantara door inserts at the front, TRD Sports SRS leather steering wheel a matching leather trimmed shift knob. The instruments include a 240 km/h speedometer and a contrasting white faced TRD 10,000 scaled rev counter finished with a carbon type instrument surround.
Original Equipment: Original sports luxury features remained to include climate control air conditioning, a powerful 200W hifi featuring an integrated 6 CD changer, tinted UV cut glass and usual features such as remote central locking, automatic power windows, full ABS, split folding rear seats trimmed in Alcantara, rear strut brace, lightweight space saver spare, high level central stop light, etc.
Additional extras: Note that a full range of other sports parts are available to further improve this Celica. We even have a set of brand new stunning 18 inch alloys with matching blue metallic inserts, ready to fit in UK - available at special discount (Wedsports SA-70's 18 x 8.0 + 42!). Ask - or view www.neweraparts.com for more ideas! Test Drive: We recently drove this car on twisty Japanese roads and can confirm it's beautifully sorted with well controlled (TRD) suspension and a very healthy engine. Above 6,000 rpm with the improved engine differential this car accelerates at a ravenous rate. Being a Toyota sports flagship model of it's time - the engine's been been built strong with a proper camchain that lasts the lifetime of the car and infallible VVTLi variable valve timing. 210 bhp from a 1.8 N/A is 117 bhp / litre and this engine is sweet all the way from a perfect idle to a smooth and vibration free 8,200 rpm rev limit. Change up with the close ratio box and the apetite for revs continues insatiably. Handling is tight and rattle free and the brakes remain drama fre powerful. An absolute joy to drive knowing it well, we can confirm it's in perfect mechanical condition.
Inside, a modern Sat Nav system with reversing camera is shown in the pictures, but as this will only work in Japan it will be removed and the original option CD player (High quality 2 DIN unit - see pictures) - refitted.
Auction Grade of this car was originally 4.0. With the recent owner this is now a 2 owner example that's clearly lived a priviledged life. It's mileage has mostly been clocked up on Japan's super smooth motorways (At legal speeds) and always survived on a diet of the best fully synthetic TRD Mobil oils. The lack of motorway stone chips absence of parking dings show it's clearly been cherished. Paintwork condition is so good - there's no doubt it's always been garaged. Having being a non-smoker's car, the interior is in perfect conditon too. Note the underside is absolutely rust free even the original TRD exhaust still has no corrosion. Compare with a standard VVTLi Celica that's been on UK roads all of it's life and you'll see just how well preserved this example is by comparison, perhaps comically so when looking carefully at UK models. Inclusive of UK conversions, full UK registration, MOT, 6 month's tax comprehensive warrantyNote we can also ship this car to European or other worldwide destinations. Ask about our FOB package to import to other countries in Europe Asia. A deposit of £1,000 secures this unique TRD Sports M Celica.
Newera Imports - the only UK Import specialist with it's own offices in Japan. Recommended for over 14 years by owner's clubs, enthusiasts, magazines and tuners as the source of the very best pre-owned performance cars from Japan.