Toyota Celica 1981–1985 car dimensions: 4485 mm long, 1665 mm wide and 1320 mm high. Unladen weight is 1,150 kg. Braked towing is 450 kg.
The cabin offers easy-to-read gauges with oil pressure, voltmeter, tachometer and coolant temperature on GT models, plus a digital quartz clock and resettable trip meter. Reclining front bucket seats are standard, with driver's lumbar and tilt adjustment plus a six-position tilt steering wheel on GT grades. A full-length center console with padded armrest appears on GTs, along with cloth seats and a five-speaker electronic AM/FM/MPX stereo. Tinted glass with shaded band, left-to-right airflow balance on the heater/defroster, and optional air conditioning keep the interior practical. Cruise control is available on GT models via a dash-mounted switch. No electronic driver aids beyond basic instrumentation are listed.
The Liftback provides 10.6 cubic feet of luggage space with seats up and expands to 25.8 cubic feet of carpeted cargo space with the split-folding rear seatbacks down. A cargo cover, compartment light and luggage strap are included, with remote release from the driver's seat.
Trailer towing is rated to a maximum gross trailer weight of 1000 lb with surge-type brakes recommended and tongue load limited to 100 lb. The GT-S package firms the suspension with higher spring rates and recalibrated anti-roll bars for sportier handling. Maximum cargo load is listed at 123 lb.
The cabin offers reclining front bucket seats in cloth or knitted vinyl, with the GT driver's seat adding height tilt and lumbar support. GT-S grades add eight-way sport seats with side bolster adjustment. A full center console with padded armrest, tilt steering wheel, and tinted glass with shaded band are fitted on higher trims. Front legroom measures 43 inches with easy-to-read gauges and stalk controls. Split-folding rear seats expand the carpeted cargo area to 25.8 cubic feet in the Liftback.
EPA 24 city/38 highway mpg with 5-speed manual 2.4L
NHTSA frontal crash test 4 stars
Standard ventilated front discs, rear drums, 3-point belts with tensioners, rear defogger
The 2.4-liter SOHC four delivers 96 hp in carbureted form or 105 hp with fuel injection on GT grades, paired to a standard 5-speed overdrive manual or optional 4-speed automatic. EPA figures list 24 city and 38 highway mpg for the manual, with a 16.1-gallon tank. Fuel economy holds steady across ST and GT Liftback models.
Braking uses power-assisted ventilated front discs with metallic pads and rear drums. Seat belts include a unique tensioner that pulls them clear when doors open, plus automatic locking rear retractors for child seats. The 1982 redesign earned a 4-star NHTSA frontal rating at 35 mph, with low injury measures and doors that still opened after impact.
Routine care centers on the durable 22R engine and aluminum-case W58 5-speed. No specific factory interval appears in the brochures, but the design emphasizes reduced maintenance via transistorized ignition and accessible fluid reservoirs. The Liftback's practical cargo space and fold-down seats make it easy to live with day to day.
Length 4485 mm, Width 1665 mm, Height 1320 mm, Wheelbase 2500 mm (Celica 1981–1985)
Sources: manufacturer data, 1982 Toyota Product Specifications, L/W/H/WB/ground clearance/seats/cargo/tyres/weights), carfolio.com, toyoland.com, motor-car.net.