Toyota: The 12 Models Of 1991, Their Peak Year?

Toyota Celica All-Trac

Toyota’s roots in racing began to show with the Toyota Celica All-Trac.  Equipped with the 3S-GTE motor, it was capable of 200 horsepower and 200-lb.ft. of torque through the turbocharged, four-cylinder.  Attached to a manual transmission, this was as close to a road-legal reliable, rally warrior that a customer could get.  It had 2+2 seating, a proper hatchback, and an all-wheel-drive system capable of handling weather conditions and some differential terrain.

Before there was the Subaru WRX, the Celica All-Trac was the best option.  It was clearly ahead of its’ time.  The Subaru WRX may have made rally-like cars more popular with a daily driving fanbase, but the Celica All-Trac was one of the few cars of the time that had the same formula.  Like the WRX, it has a turbocharged four-cylinder, all-wheel-drive system, just enough seating for four people, and an optional manual transmission.

This car is very rare in the United States, but to automotive enthusiasts that have a keen interest in semi-classic, modernized Japanese cars, this car would be among the top of the list. It wasn’t that long ago where I perused a Celica forum, and found one with nearly 200,000 miles with a selling price over $7,000.  The car is robust and the 3S-GTE is easy to maintain, but it’s still a bit too rich for my blood.

Hopefully, Japanese Classics LLC gets a chance to import one soon.