The Real Noobs Guide to 1st Gen Models RA20--->RA29

Musashi · Last edited by Musashi on Tue Dec 05, 2006 5:47 pm; edited 2 times in total

Explained primarily from a North American POV.

"How do I tell 1st gen celica models apart?"
To answer the question directly:
These are all "R" series engine celicas, as you would see in north america.

RA20-1971 The first of the RA2x's, flat tailights, and the gas filler is in the rear instead of on the pillar, RA20's have the 8R-C engine.
http://www.classic-celica.com/albums/ryan/after_1.sized.jpg

RA21-1972 Identical in most ways to the RA20 for one more year before changes come in 73. 72 RA21's had a minor engine upgrade with the 18RC.

RA21-1973 in North America, notice the gas cap is now on the c-pillar, and the tailights have changed. There was also a very small interior update with an aditioinal section added above the center console which included the A/C controls, vents, and moved the clock upward.
http://www.classic-celica.com/albums/album111/PDRM0154.sized.jpg

RA21-1974 Identical in most ways to the 73 model year, with the addition of the GT model to North America. There was a minor trim update in 74 with the change of the GT and ST logos.
http://www.classic-celica.com/albums/Dooks-74GT/P1070309.sized.jpg

RA22-1975 Big dumb bumpers, but we know they're really just a bummer Wink

The 75 Also got a new hood to help fit in the new 20R engine. This was also the only year that North America saw the LT model.
http://www.classic-celica.com/albums/bonedocs/Aug05_8.sized.jpg

NOW, look closely at the corner lights:
71-75: Slanted
http://www.classic-celica.com/albums/album249/SIMG0010.sized.jpg

76-77: Straight up and down
http://www.classic-celica.com/albums/album85/ra231.jpg

Continuing....

In 1976 The Celica got a huge makeover, with a new dash with modern controls (no more pull switches!) and a longer nose/engine bay. North America also got the addition of the Liftback Celica for the first time.

RA24 (Similar to RA23)-1976-77 Long nose and larger engine bay
http://www.classic-celica.com/albums/killas-suspension/76RA24_002.sized.jpg

RA29 (Similar to RA28)-1976-77
http://www.classic-celica.com/albums/album40/PICT0205.sized.jpg

Now you're not a newbie anymore Wink

Browse thru the hot celicas gallery on this site, i'm sure you'll learn to pick out the differences

BTW, RA25's and TA27's JDM, early model liftbacks (like RA28's, except they came out in 73 instead of 76).
There are two types of TA22, the one in europe and aus has slant short nose front end, and the "JDM only" one has the same front end as the RA25/TA27.

heres something related...
http://classic-celica.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=5579&highlight=&sid=447fb0472e636e13f47e7da2c73702f4
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Musashi · Posted: Tue Dec 05, 2006 5:45 pm Post subject:

This is a cut and edit/paste from an old post, so some of the links are dead. I'll fix them later... Peace
-Jeff
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Thanos · Posted: Wed Dec 06, 2006 2:22 am Post subject:

You forgot to say that when the Ra-21 1972 changed to the Ra-21 1973 by moving the gas filler from the rear to the c-pillar,they moved the gas tank from below the trunk to the back of the rear seats for safety reasons(if you got hit from behind).remember this is for noobs... Very Happy

Musashi · Posted: Wed Dec 13, 2006 8:03 am Post subject:

lol, true! I geuss i was looking at it from an "external" viewpoint Wink

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SuperCelica77 · Posted: Thu Dec 14, 2006 3:00 am Post subject:

very good, we needed this for sure! I made a couple of additions.

-Aaron
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'72 ST RA21- "Blueberry"
'77 GT RA24- "Christine" AKA "Arora24"
'77 GT RA29 - "Rachel" AKA "Arora29"
'81 GT RA44 - "Jenny"
'83 GTS RA65 - "Rose"
'88 4runner 4x4 SR5
'89 Toyota 4x4 truck
'90 4runner 4x4 SR5 22RE

dragondriver · High Member Joined: May 22, 2006 Posts: 469

hey cmon guys what about soemthing for second gen guys? us second geners here get no respect i swear
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1979 Celica gt 5speed aka tugboat

proud meber of N.A.S.B.H.A-North American Snow Bird Hunting Association

SuperCelica77 · Posted: Sat Jan 20, 2007 6:56 am Post subject:

JDM_GUY · Posted: Sun Jan 21, 2007 4:13 am Post subject:

:w2g: nicely well done Jeff. i've learned a lot from this noob important info.
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JDM_GUY Dru aka. Martyr
"THE FEW, THE PROUD, THE TOYOTA PURIST"

Sabideefoo · member Joined: Feb 04, 2010 Posts: 19

LOL YEs I found the noobie info..Hey has anyone fix the links? Love to see the pics of the years. Right Click save. Smile

woytovich · Newbie Joined: Oct 06, 2007 Posts: 2


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