From the Vaults: 1980s Toyota Celica Commercials

The Toyota Celica is still remembered by car enthusiasts today. The little coupe went through many iterations during its 45 year run, but all of them were sporty in one way or another. The third generation Celica was offered up in a number of configurations, ranging from a 1.6-liter engine with a live rear axle to a 2.4-liter version with independent rear suspension. There was also a turbocharged model dubbed the 1800 GT-TR.

In this classic car commercial from 1983, race car driver Dan Gurney and his son Jimmy are shown in contrasting situations, Dad taking the Celica out for a spin on a race track, and son using it as his daily driver. Naturally, the everyday Celica is a serious chick magnet, and Jimmy impresses the ladies with his shiny new Toyota.

Here are a few of Gurney’s later commercials for the Toyota Celica and Supra, which are equally entertaining: