One to Buy: ex-works 1979 Toyota Celica 2000 GT Gr.2
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Toyota first started to compete in top flight rallying during the early 1970s when the firm began a long-term association with Swedish driver, Ove Andersson.
In 1975, Andersson’s rallying operation was rebranded Toyota Team Europe (TTE) and moved to Brussels. Three years later, TTE moved for the second time, on this occasion to Cologne.
For much of the late 1970s and early 1980s, TTE chose to compete with the second generation Celica which quickly acquired a reputation for toughness and reliability.
Very rarely do authentic examples of these cars come up for sale which makes this 1979 Group 2 RA40 Celica GT2000 on offer at Thiesen’s showroom in Hamburg, Germany, a particularly interesting proposition.
Having initially been reserved for use as a training car, it was pressed into action for the opening World Championship round of 1980: the Monte Carlo Rally. Held in snowy conditions between January 19th and 25th, German champion Achim Warmbold and Piero Sodano failed to finish owing to mechanical trouble.
The Celica next appeared towards the end of the year; Marianne Fourton and Oda Dencker Andersen were entered for the Himalayan Rally which took place from October 18th to 23rd on a mix of gravel and tarmac roads between Mumbai and Narkanda.
Sensationally, the all-female crew finished second overall and first in the Group 2 class.
Today this exciting but practical ex-works car is offered in highly authentic condition and would make a cost-effective mount for all manner of historic events.
