"We just love first generation Toyota Celicas for their rear-wheel drive layout and for their clean, sexy looks. And this 1971 Celica must be one of the best examples we’ve seen lately. Koich, the car’s owner, not only restored this classic Japanese coupe but he took things a bit further by completely upgrading the Celica’s mechanics. Under the near stock exterior, this beautiful “Japanese Sleeper” is equipped with a Honda S2000, F20C inline 4-cylinder engine which produces 243 Hp @ 8,300 rpm and 153 ft·lbf (208 Nm) of torque @ 7,500 rpm. The engine is matted to the S2000’s 6-speed manual gearbox.

Other mechanical upgrades include the new suspension with AE86 aftermarket goodies and the high-performance brakes with Wilwood calipers. Inside, Koichiro threw most of the Celica’s stock components installing a 10pt roll cage, Sparco bucket seats and a Honda S2000 digital instrument cluster along with AEM ECU and serial gauges. We don’t know how the Celica drives, but we’re more than tempted to find out."