1979 Toyota Celica GT RA40 Group 4
- Engine
- 18R-series inline-four
This 1979 Toyota Celica GT RA40, chassis TA40000100666, is believed to be among the last surviving examples of the Group 4 WRC cars built and campaigned by Toyota Team Europe during a brief six-month competitive window. Constructed at TTE's Cologne facility and first registered in Germany, the car was driven by Björn Waldegard — the WRC's inaugural drivers' champion — at the 1980 RAC Rally, and subsequently ran in the 1981 British Open Championship season by Toyota GB with Per Eklund. It retains its original bodyshell and the majority of its period components, and has been sensitively restored by its long-term owner.
Ownership
- 2023-08-25Auction saleSold £120,000 (≈ $150K)
- 1979 → 1981Factory deliveryToyota Team Europefull documentation
Car was built at TTE's Cologne facility, initially registered in Germany, and campaigned in WRC events from May 1980. TTE provided a letter documenting the car's history under their management.
- 1981 → 1982Acquisition unknownToyota GB Limitedfull documentation
Toyota GB ran the car from their new South London competition department throughout the 1981 season and into early 1982, before advertising it for sale in Autosport in late 1981, offered without its engine.
- 1993 →Acquisition unknownCurrent vendorfull documentation
Acquired the car over 30 years prior to the sale and preserved its original panels and components while compiling an extensive history file. Used in non-competitive demonstrations over the decade preceding the sale.
Competition
- 1980-05-01FIA World Rally Championship1980 Acropolis International RallyDriver: Ove Andersson6th overall
Co-driven by Henry Liddon; this was the car's first competitive outing.
- 1980-08-01FIA World Rally Championship1980 1000 Lakes International RallyDriver: Tapio Rainio7th overall
Co-driven by Erkki Nyman; held in Finland.
- 1980-11-01FIA World Rally Championship1980 Lombard RAC International RallyDriver: Björn WaldegardDNF — retired in the Grizedale stage
Co-driven by Hans Thorszelius; the crew were leading at the time of retirement and set the fastest time on four of the 70 special stages.
- 1981British Open Championship1981 Mintex International RallyDriver: Per Eklund11th overall (3rd on road, penalised)
Co-driven by Ragnar Spjuth; originally classified third but dropped to eleventh following organisational penalties. Car ran under UK registration FYY 48W.
- 1981British Open Championship1981 Circuit of Ireland International RallyDriver: Per Eklund6th overall
Co-driven by Frank Main; car ran under Guernsey registration G-23484.
- 1981British Open Championship1981 West Park International Welsh RallyDriver: Per EklundDNF
Co-driven by Frank Main.
- 1981British Open Championship1981 Lombard Scottish International RallyDriver: Per Eklund9th overall
Co-driven by Frank Main.
- 1981British Open Championship1981 Rothmans Manx International RallyDriver: Per EklundDNF
Co-driven by Frank Main.
- 19811981 Pace Petroleum National RallyDriver: Per Eklund6th overall
Co-driven by Frank Main.
- 1982-02-011982 Mintex International RallyDriver: Per EklundDNF — early retirement
Co-driven by Dave Whitlock; the car was pressed into service because the replacement Celica model was unavailable at the season's start.
- —Donington Park Historic Festival
Non-competitive demonstration appearance during the current owner's tenure, within the decade preceding the sale.
- —Rally of the Midlands
Non-competitive demonstration appearance during the current owner's tenure.
- —Oulton Park Gold Cup
Non-competitive demonstration appearance during the current owner's tenure.
- —Lombard Bath
Non-competitive demonstration appearance during the current owner's tenure.
- —Mintex Rally Yorkshire
Non-competitive demonstration appearance during the current owner's tenure.
- —Rally Day
Non-competitive demonstration appearance during the current owner's tenure.
Maintenance & restoration
- —Restoration
A sensitive, phased restoration was carried out over a period of time, preserving the original bodyshell and the majority of period components throughout.
Commissioned by the long-term vendor; supported by an extensive file of invoices for work performed. Period photo album documents both rally events and the restoration process.
- —Engine rebuild
The fitted 18RG four-cylinder twin-cam unit was lightened and balanced, equipped with fully adjustable cam pulleys, competition pistons, polished connecting rods, and a gas-flowed cylinder head. Twin 45 Weber carburettors, a custom exhaust manifold, a bespoke six-paddle clutch, and an uprated starter motor and alternator were also installed. Rolling-road testing recorded approximately 193 bhp.
Rolling-road printouts documenting output are included with the car.
Are you the owner of this car?
This car's public record is built from its auction and competition history. Register your ownership and privately add your own records to make it a verified Legacy Metrics passport — provenance that backs your car's value at sale and gives your insurer evidence to price against. Roy reviews and verifies every registration personally.