Generation 2 of 7 · 1977–1981

2nd-generation Toyota Celica

The second Celica kept rear-wheel drive and arrived as a coupé and a liftback.

All generations
Red second-generation Toyota Celica liftback parked below a jet aircraft displayed on a pylon
1980 Toyota Celica ST beside a preserved F9F Panther jet in Argentina. Photo: BugWarp, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

In short

The key facts

  • The second generation ran from 1977 to 1981.1
  • Toyota released it in Japan on 22 August 1977 as a two-door coupé or a three-door liftback, again on the Carina platform.2
  • Calty Design Research, Toyota's design studio in North America, designed the body.2
  • A convertible version, the Celica Sunchaser, was built by Tropic.1
  • The rear-wheel-drive layout stayed.1

Data

Production 1977–19811
Launch in Japan 22 August 1977, for the 1978 model year23
Model codes (Japan) RA40, TA42, TA41, TA402
Series code A40, A503
Body styles Coupé, liftback; Sunchaser convertible by Tropic21
Layout Front engine, rear-wheel drive1
Gearboxes Two five-speed manuals; three- and four-speed automatics1

Compare the 2nd-generation versions side by side →

On the channel

Videos about this generation

Our videos about the 2nd generation are on the way. Subscribe and you will see them first; each one gets an article here with tables and sources.

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Buying one

Buying guide

Buying notes for this generation arrive with our videos about it. The guide explains what to check on any Celica.

Read the buying guide →

Sources

  1. CarScoops: Toyota Celica Turns 50, A Look Back At The Seven Generations Of The Japanese Sports Car (Cristian Gnaticov, 18 October 2020)
  2. Toyota, 75 Years Vehicle Lineage: Celica Liftback, 2nd generation (1977)
  3. Wikipedia: Toyota Celica (used only where no other source has the fact)

Checked on 20 October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Write to hello@liftbacklegends.com.

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