87 Celica Gen4 Convertable

[CelicaHoodie]

We this is confusing!!! I have contacted several reputable Toyota main dealers both locally and nationally in the slim hope that I can source or be pointed in the correct direction of a NEW half convertible roof. My car has a solid lift out front roof section and a canvas/clear plastic rear fold down section. It appears that all the Toyota dealers with the exception of one say that a UK gen 4 convertable does not exist! The one that does says they were conversions not approved by Toyota and undertaken by a separate company.

So, who is right, wrong or half n half? I expected great difficulty in finding a replacement canvas roof but so far its proving to be almost impossible to just obtain quality information let alone the rag itself!!

Over to you guys.......please ;)

Cheers Dave

[T600]

Not sure; I know I've seen them, but not sure how official they were.

Brian Long's "Celicas and Supras" book mentions the fact that in America the convertible hoods were fitted by ASC. In Europe there apparently was a convertible conversion by HP Schwan (Germany) and a Targa conversion.

The book is ambiguous as to whether HP Schwan made all the Targa versions or whether there was an official Cabriolet version (also featuring a lift out Targa top). It does though mention that the Cabriolet made its debut at the Geneva Show in March 1987, so that sounds like an official Toyota car rather than a conversion by some other company.

HTH

[CelicaHoodie]

Thanks for that info, T600........punching Schwan into Google comes up with some info.

1987 - "Built by the Wuerzberg full body factory for the company Schwan, Hagen. Good quality conversion but complicated to use. Only the 2.0 GT and without cat. Around 2000 units built"

My question seems to have many possible answers! Does anyone else have any idea on this subject?

[T600]

You could try contacting Parts King with your chassis number to see whether he can obtain the parts you need.

Also ask your question on Celica Club.

Good luck.

[CelicaHoodie]

You could try contacting Parts King with your chassis number to see whether he can obtain the parts you need.

Also ask your question on Celica Club.

Good luck.

Who / What are Parts King please ?

[T600]

He's the Parts King because he's the parts man at Lindop Toytoa. Plus he knows his stuff, and he gives us a discount.

He has his own section here

[CelicaHoodie]

He's the Parts King because he's the parts man at Lindop Toytoa. Plus he knows his stuff, and he gives us a discount.

He has his own section here

Cheers for that info mate. Will contact them ASAP.

[Steven7393]

Nice thread, glad I found it

I have the same car, my hood is pretty immaculate apart from some rubbers peeling on the side of the targa lift out middle section, and a slit on a rear quarter window - but I can unpick and restitch some new plastic glass into that so it should be as good as new.

Its always good to have a library of resources though in case something happens to the hood - I dont trust british kids one iota and it only takes one of the little swines to vandalise my hood with a stanley blade..

Which brings me to my next worry - alarming the car. Do I get a basic fit it yourself motion sensor alarm off eBay or is that pointless? Should I keep the convertible garaged whilst I have it in the UK? I live in central london btw.

PS, just wanted to add that I believe that the dealers are talking absolute nonsense - mine sounds identical to yours, ive seen lots of photos of these on the internet, and one source informed me that there were only 200 of these officially first sold in the UK - making me and you owners of an extreme rarity! Theres a danish guy on these forums somewhere that owns one too, and hes reported that its very hard to source parts for these - especially from the german company that made the hood.

Im off to germany in 2 weeks so might pop into the hood makers and find out first hand what their back catalogue is like on spare parts - seeing as ill be in the area - ill report back with whatever information I glean from them.

[CelicaHoodie]

Ah.....the plot thickens!!

I have just found a period mag advert ( Thoroughbread & Classic Cars - June 1987 edition ) for a gen 4 CELICA CABRIOLET, and it looks like confirmation of the Targa type half hard / half soft top cars OFFICIAL status.

The ad is a 2 page, each A4 size with the first page showing a pic ( entitled " - The Grand National - " ) of a convertible along side a horse racing track with an Hooray Henry type of guy standing up in the car ( by his positioning - he must be stood on the handbrake centre consul! ) and he is watching a horse race throgh binoculars.

The TARGA type roof section is removed, however the rear vinyl hood is in the up position.

The second pic ( entitled " - Glyndebourne - " ) shows the same guy sat in the car with the roof up and the hard top in place while he quaffes Champagne on a manicured statley home. Its pi***ng down with rain all over his picnic hamper.

The third pic ( entitled " - Crufts - " ), shows same Henry standing on the steps of a rather grand house in the country with the car in the foreground parked on the gravel drive. The roof is completely down and a large Dulux sort of dog is looking down from the back seat onto a little terrier type thats stood on the drive way.

The ads theme is obviously targeted at the affluent hunting, shooting and fishing set - not a chav in sight here !

The small print at the bottom of the page reads - CELICA CABRIOLET £16,989. Price correct at time of going to press. Inclusive of car tax and VAT but not number plates or delivery. TOYOTA (GB) LTD. Head Office and tax free sales - The Quadrangle, Redhill, Surry, RH1 1PX. tEL 0737 68585.

So......it appears to be a 100% Toyota funded, researched, backed & manufactured car......or is it???? ;)

Does anyone want me to write up the addy text in full?

PS - The featured car in the ad is finished in bright red with black trim.....registration number D572FUV.

So, where are you now D572FUV???

PPS - How does £16,989 in 1987 compare to todays Celica models OTR price?

[CelicaHoodie]

Previous posting text ommits the word " lawn" when discribing the second pic!

Incidently, the toff looks and dresses just like a Harry Enfield character - the chap who is always flustered and tounge tied when around Paul Whitheouse,s " George " the gardener.............you know who I mean

Ah...but I digress..........