I just drove an '84 Celica with 41k miles, and saw some things

"sm70- why not Duesenberg?" (sm70-whynotduesenberg)
06/28/2014 at 22:22 • Filed to: oppositelock

On our way back from a Cubbies game, I spotted a branch of a car dealer with a dozen or so neat 80's and 90's sports cars out front, including a few Celicas and Celica Supras. One of them looked to be particularly mint. It was a 1984 Celica lift back, red on black with a slush box (I'll get over it) with under 42k original miles. I was smitten, and I had to take the dealer up on his offer to drive it.

This car must be James May's idea of driving heaven. The interior was bland and featureless, yet very well screwed together and cool in an 80's sort of way. The car had no power, in the engine or anywhere else. The acceleration was gradual, but I won't hold that against it, because even with the sporty red body, it is still a thirty year old, 4-cyl Japanese econobox. Still, it rode far, far better than I was expecting, and it screeched the thin tires at 25mph around corners, so it was a blast despite having no power and no manual. Only downside to driving was the driving posting, which I would best describe as "odd". I'm 5'6", so I'm not tall by any definition, but without a seat that could be raised, I had to sit very close to the surprisingly large steering wheel (and bolt upright) to see where I was going.

All in all, I'm not sure if it was worth the nearly $10,000 asking price, but it was a cool, fun, unique, and practical future classic, and I would dearly love to own it. I'll let you in on a secret, though. Out of all the old cars this dealer had, it wasn't the one I wanted most.

This is a 1979 Toyota Celica Supra lift back. It had a maroon leather interior, power everything, and a 5-speed stick. It had 66k miles, which is still low, but the dealer was asking just $5500. For me, it isn't even close. I'd have this one over the '84 all day, even though it was only in 80% as good of condition, and had 50% more miles.

Here are the some of the other Celicas and 944s this guy had.

Dat turbo.

We also stopped at another dealer down the road. They were closed, but they also had some cool stuff in their outdoor lot.

Even as Excaliburs go, this thing was mis-proportioned and awful.

Love these Merc wheels.

See? Ze Germans can do tail fins too, ja?

See? Ze Americans can do und luxury sports car too, ja?

DISCUSSION (30)

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
06/28/2014 at 22:27

DAT XLR!

PheeNoIVI > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
06/28/2014 at 22:27

Camehere for the Celica but that 944! I want

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
06/28/2014 at 22:29

It was a supercharged V, too! I (and everyone else) always forget about that car, but when I was like 9, I really wanted one for some reason. They are cool, and I really hope they do a Cadillac version of the new Stingray.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > PheeNoIVI
06/28/2014 at 22:29

The first one?

TheVancen- In Pursuit of a Greater Payday and Car Parts > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
06/28/2014 at 22:31

Ok. Me and my father like the 70 71 Ranchero enough to have a VERY rusty Michigan car that we have spent aost 10 years restoring, by that colour and those wheels made me throw up on my mouth a bit.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
06/28/2014 at 22:32

I need that XLR-V. And that gold Beetle next to the 944.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > TheVancen- In Pursuit of a Greater Payday and Car Parts
06/28/2014 at 22:33

Really? I liked it.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
06/28/2014 at 22:34

That seating position is just how Toyota's were built back up until... well at least 1995. I'm right at 6' and now every car I ride in is roomy, even the back seat of an FRS.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
06/28/2014 at 22:34

I sat in it. Very small, nothing about it feels substantial, and everything, seats, windshield, wheel, gear shifter, are all completely vertical.

Also, you never stuck me as a Beetle person. First you come out as liking Audis, and now this? It's like me with GMs a while ago.

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
06/28/2014 at 22:40

They are extremely cool! I remember an article in one of the car mags when the V first came out about a journalist talking Cadillac into letting him take a de-limited one to Germany. It was great because it was such a reverse, and really showed how Cadillac was starting to make world-class cars again.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
06/28/2014 at 22:40

How can you not like a Beetle! My dad had two when he was younger. He says you can mend them with a screwdriver and some electrical tape.

I also like this current generation of Beetle if it happens to be turbocharged.

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
06/28/2014 at 22:42

Kinja'd!!!

I want dis insect.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
06/28/2014 at 22:45

My mom had two Rabbits. I like the old Beetle or the current Beetle, if shown the right example. I hate the "New Beetle" though.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Vince-The Roadside Mechanic
06/28/2014 at 22:45

Apparently a few people do.

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
06/28/2014 at 22:46

Can you please buy it for me?

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
06/28/2014 at 22:47

You can fix the cooling system with shoe laces.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
06/28/2014 at 22:47

The New Beetle was an insult to the Beetle name. Simple as that.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Vince-The Roadside Mechanic
06/28/2014 at 22:53

Sure. Can you please send me ze monies?

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
06/28/2014 at 23:02

How much is it?

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Vince-The Roadside Mechanic
06/28/2014 at 23:06

$9k

PheeNoIVI > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
06/28/2014 at 23:06

Yes. Beautiful

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
06/28/2014 at 23:09

Holy crap that is low miles. It is everything I want but nothing I can afford. :(

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Vince-The Roadside Mechanic
06/28/2014 at 23:12

Story of my life.

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
06/28/2014 at 23:14

Same here man same here.

Jedidiah > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
06/29/2014 at 00:24

Kinja'd!!!

I love this color. I tried to convince my mom to let me paint her Cutlass this color, but she insists on tacky black/white skunk stripes.

I might eventually paint my turn Brown Delta 88 vert this color because I think it will go nicely with a brown interior.

TheVancen- In Pursuit of a Greater Payday and Car Parts > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
06/29/2014 at 02:11

The colour on its own wouldn't be bad. Combine it with the woodgrain, once again not bad on the right car, and what looks like mid eighties Ford Ranger wheels and white line tires. Not doing thing for me. I do like the vinyl roof though. I still cant convince my dad to put the vinyl roof on our Ranchero though.

dieselmiata > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
06/30/2014 at 10:16

Oppo dealership!

T4llG3E5E > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
09/03/2014 at 15:02

man you guys get awesome pizza and awesome car dealerships?

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > T4llG3E5E
09/03/2014 at 15:08

"They" do. I was just visiting Chicago.

T4llG3E5E > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
09/03/2014 at 17:58

Well, I'm still jelly