1978 Toyota Celica 2.0 GT Coupé

Registered in Kings Lynn on 10 May 1978 and used initially as a showroom demonstrator before being sold in April 1979.

Car was purchased from Brundle Motors in April 1979; identity not recorded in the prose.

Repurchased in August 1980 and converted for production saloon car racing with assistance from Kevin Gutteridge and Arthur Coleman; raced by Martin, John, and Robin Brundle.

Acquired in the late 1990s and campaigned in classic Group 1 touring car events before being sold in 2007.

One of the car's original period owners bought it back in 2007 and commissioned the full restoration beginning in 2014, holding the car up to the time of the auction.

Car passed through several hands within the motorsport world following the Brundle era, always remaining in active competition use including the Slick 50 Road Saloon Championship.

John and Robin Brundle co-drove; the car won the Commanders Cup category across the 1980/81 edition of the event.

Continuation of the 1980/81 Willhire campaign with the Brundle family; same Commanders Cup success noted.

Car competed with notable results in this championship during subsequent ownership after the Brundle period; specific dates and drivers not recorded.

Entered in historic Group 1 touring car competition during the late-1990s ownership spell.

The restoration and FIA HTP were obtained specifically with the goal of securing an invitation to compete at the Goodwood Members Meeting; actual participation not confirmed in the prose.

Car converted from road specification to production saloon car racing configuration with the assistance of Kevin Gutteridge and Arthur Coleman.

Conversion carried out after repurchase by Brundle Motors Ltd.

Comprehensive nut-and-bolt restoration undertaken to meet FIA Group 1 homologation requirements, resulting in an Historical Technical Passport. Work was extensively documented with photographs, invoices, and chronological work summaries. The car was bare-metal resprayed to its original metallic black finish while period repairs and original chrome trim, bumpers, and badges were retained.

Restoration aimed at two overlapping specifications: strict FIA Group 1 for HTP purposes and a superior Group 1.5 configuration for Goodwood Members Meeting competitiveness, with the HTP-spec components supplied as a removable kit.

Engine fully rebuilt with forged and uprated internals including high-compression pistons, new bearings, F3-type valves, a modified oil pressure relief valve, and a Lumenition electronic ignition system; dyno-tested at 176 bhp with capacity for further power gains via a supplied tubular exhaust manifold.

Work cost approximately £4,289; workshop located in Essex.

Fuel system overhauled: original tank retained and fitted with FIA foam inserts, new high-pressure electronic fuel pump installed, braided pipework fitted, and the twin Solex carburettor arrangement rebuilt.

Part of the broader restoration programme.

Rear axle stripped to bare casing, repainted, and fitted with a Panhard-rod arrangement; original limited-slip differential inspected and confirmed within Toyota service tolerances; gearbox confirmed as original GT-spec P51 5-speed fitted with hydraulic clutch and competition-grade brake fluid. Brake system fully overhauled. Suspension updated with modified front and rear dampers, custom springs, and uprated competition bushings. Steering box refurbished, front hubs stripped, vapour-blasted and painted, and steering components replaced with new ball joints, knuckles, and joints.

Whiteline competition bushings specified; part of the broader restoration.

Interior safety equipment fitted including a new Cobra historic FIA racing seat, TRS 6-point harness, and FIA fire extinguisher system; original dashboard, GT fascia, OE gauges, and Mountney racing steering wheel retained.

Original interior components including passenger seat, rear seats, carpets, plastics, and door cards preserved and included with the car.