In Toronto,Canada, there are not many 85 Toyota Celica GT-S's around, due
to the cold weather months with snow and salt affecting the bodies of these
older Celicas. I've kept up with the maintenance religiously by spraying
the inside body panels with rust-inhibiting oil and rinsed off the winter
salt as often as possible. Now that I store this car for the winter months,
I'm able to up-keep this car as best as I can.
My OEM aluminum rims have be professionally cleaned/polished & clearcoated. The rear deck 'sunshade' resembles the Supra spoiler. Hella driving lamps installed operated with the 'Supra' fog lamp toggle centre console switch. Like everyone else, a upgraded stereo system: Pioneer head-unit with CD controller to 6-pack, and two 8" Bazooka tubes powered with 100 watt amp. Clifford theft deterent system installed to protect the Toy from any curious minds. Fitipaldi 13" steering wheel makes this car handle with ease. Recent upgrade in 1998, ordered and installed four wheel disk brakes replacements using cross-drilled rotors in conjunction with the new long lasting KVR brake pads (carbon fibre type). Month of July '99 spent major dollars on engine repairs, I had slight oil leak from the oil pump and a significant amount of blue/white smoke out of the tail pipe. The mechanic fixed the valves, head and oil pump. Now the cars sounds like new, no knocking or ticking sound from the valves and no noticable smoke from the tail pipe.
In the summer of 2000, I've replaced the old chrome tip which rusted out
with a stainless steel Vibrant. The mechanic quotes "that new tip
will probably out last the rest of the muffler system". Summer 2001,
installed the 'CELICA'logo on the rear deck lid, courtesy of Bob Shapton
of the Supra Club. It really contrasts with the black lettering. Definitely
one of a kind. The Celica basically has most parts as stock. My Air conditioner
had been working problem free until fall of 2007. For 2008 spring time I
decided to try a new product for my air conditioner. I bought the Duracool
tune-up kit, and it now works just fabulous.
After the Celica pictures, I've included my other toys...also beginning with the
letter 'C', Camry and Corolla. Enjoy.
1985 Celica GT-S Driver's Side:
The Back:
Rear Quarter:
The Other Toys:
2003 Corolla LE
For a winter beater I received a 1986 Nissan Micra from my brother back
in Aug/98. I had 4 snow tires for it and even rust-proofed it with oil
in prep for winter driving. It served its purpose for 5 years, while I
stored the Celica in my garage. The Micra started having major problems,
engine oil leaks, clutch problems, transmission problems and really funny
sounding noises, just didn't feel safe. Being in Toronto, Ontario, the
emmissions program kicked up in full gear. The Micra passed once with a
lot of major work, then failed miserably in fall of 2002. In February 2003,
I finally picked up the new replacement. A new brand spanking Toyota Corolla.
Its silver, what else, and loaded to whatever the brochure had to offer.
Its the LE model with package 'B', including, leather seats, moonroof,
alarm, fog lamps, electrochromic rear view mirror (dims automatically),
a cool digital compass and the nice alloy rims same as the 'S' model. The
dealer was able to give me the rear spoiler at cost at the time I purchased
the car, so why not, I still had to pay for the standard labour installation
fees at the dealership. The spoiler looks really sporty, just like my Camry
Sport. The Corolla is a fantastic car, great power, great gas and soooo
smooth. I'm trying to keep as much stock as possible, but couldnt resist,
I've upgraded the lighting. Superwhites for the front corner parking lights
(looks blue in the daytime) and upgraded the headlights to HIDs 6000k.
They look great !
Front/Side View
Instrumentation
Interior
2007 Camry XLE
Having the 93 Sport V6 Camry for 14 years wasn't too bad, it was definitely
showing its age in mechanics with 225,000 km. I babied it since new, rust-proofed
it (oil type), acquired winter snows and rims for it for all year round
driving. Basically the car was mainly used as the family hauler. Added
all the trimmings, remote starter/alarm, PIAA fogs, tinted windows, MP3/WMA
8 pack CD changer, K&N filter, syntthetic oil. Historically, the major
problems started in mid-spring of 2006. Planning a short 2 hour family
trip out of Toronto, the Camry overheated. Replaced the radiator from a
small crack which caused the overheating. After picking up the car, the
brake lines failed, rusted out. In October of 2006 the head gasket was
damaged, thus, probably from the overheating, paid a heftly bill to have
the entire engine replaced with a second hand one from a wreckers. Snow
storm in November caused a hair-line windshield crack to perpetuate further.
Brakes were getting worned out also. What broke the camels back as they
say, was when I filled up the gas tank in January 2007 it started leaking
from the nozzle side. From all of these expenses, it was time to renew.
Below you'll see my photos of my newly acquired 2007 Camry XLE ! Its my
baby Lexus. No options, fully loaded, I'm just enjoying the new ride now.
I hope I can get more years out of this new one. Fall of 2007, installed the H11
HID kit with 4300k colour, wow they look fabulous!
