1981 Toyota Celica - The Himalayan Rally Hero

The second RA60 to ever roll off the production line in Aichi, Japan (chassis number RA60-6000002), this 1981 Toyota Celica has an incredibly interesting history as an international rally car in the 1980s.

Originally owned by the Nalder family who ran the local Toyota Dealership in Stawell, the red RA60 Celica was initially an evaluation car for Toyota Australia and upon arrival to country Victoria, work quickly commenced whereby a lot of the body was strengthened and reinforced to withstand the harsh conditions that they would undoubtedly face.

In order to make it abundantly clear to onlookers that the team was Australian, a significant quantity of green and yellow contact adhesive was acquired and promptly applied to the car, along with plentiful “Boxing Kangaroos”. The initial plan was to compete in a 68,000-kilometre rally that made its way through 15 countries of the Americas, aptly dubbed “The Amerithon” however before the Celica could be shipped to Los Angeles for the start of the race, a telegram arrived notifying the team that the event owners had run out of money and that the race was cancelled.

With the car prepped, the team turned their attention to the 1984 Himalayan Rally. The event started on October 28 and – having been seeded sixth – by the time the third day rolled around, they were sitting in fifth position and leading their class. Unfortunately, that morning the Prime Minister of India was shot dead, and the rally was promptly called off as the country was in absolute turmoil. In fact, it would take four days for the message to get home that everyone was safe. The Celica finally made it on a ship back to Australia and a few years later, competed in the 1989 John Pryce Memorial Olde BP Rally where it finished in a very impressive fourth place.

As it stands today, the Celica has been meticulously restored to the same specification of the car that started the Himalayan Rally in New Delhi, with assistance from the team that originally built the car. It runs its factory 1972cc 21R-C engine mated to a five-speed manual transmission, putting out 67kw (90hp). Inside, Sabelt harnesses and bolstered seats keep the driver and co-driver well supported whilst a comprehensive roll cage by CDP Industries adds further protection. The original GME UF radio sits below the Terratrip that helped guide the car through many a competition kilometre.

Whether or not the new owner will rally the car competitively is completely up to its next custodian however it would be suitable for historic rallying or would look just as home in a rallying aficionado’s car collection. Either way, this really is a fascinating Toyota that includes a comprehensive history of photographs, video footage and documentation. The car has featured at two Rally Retro Festivals (2023 and 2024) and is eligible to drive on the Rally Retro track at the next event in February 2025.

Without question, this is a very special rally car with international provenance that is now on the market and ready for its next owner to enjoy.