A long-running JDM nameplate, the first Toyota Celica left the factory in 1970. Seven generations and thirty-six years later, the final car rolled off the production line in 2006. Their popularity throughout that long production run has meant that today the cars are fairly common JDM classics, with later models being dirt cheap at the moment. That, and their solid build quality, make them excellent bases for modification. Thanks to their varied history there's a huge selection of inspirations to choose from when modding a Celica.
They were popular in the early days of the JDM street tuning scene, and older models still retain a timeless charm today. During the '90s, Toyota dominated the World Rally Championship with their Celica WRC car, so anyone looking to build an off-road beast could start there. Into the 2000s, Celicas were a cheap and easy base to build from, so were popular cars to add wild body kits and engine swaps. It's fair to say that the model is one of the most versatile JDM cars around, so it's no surprise that these cool modifications are so popular.
10 Rear Wing
One of the most common forms of modification on JDM cars is the addition of a new rear wing. Some Celicas come with a wing stock, so it's up to the owner whether they'd like to customize the existing one or add something completely new.
Often the mantra followed is, "bigger is better". Celicas are generally a good model to complement the addition of an over-sized spoiler, as some cars can look silly with it. There's still that risk even with the Celica, but the wedge shape of later models lend themselves well to the trend.
9 Roll Cage
For any serious performance enthusiast, a roll-cage is a must. The Celica is a very capable car when built right so it's natural that any racing-focused projects should look at getting a cage as one of their earliest modifications.
As well as protection in case of a crash, a cage also adds more rigidity to the car, which will improve handling around the track. It's a big job to add this mod, so it's worth making sure it's done right first time. For that reason, it's definitely best to get a professional shop to fit it rather than trying to build one at home.
8 Carbon Fiber
Carbon fiber accents are all over modern supercars, but they can look great in modified JDM cars too. There's a whole host of ways that a build can incorporate the material, from individual components like the steering wheel up to full body kits.
As well as looking great, carbon fiber is much lighter than metal and so helps to reduce the overall weight of the car. It's another great way to improve the car's handling, but depending on how much carbon is needed it can be a pricey option.
7 Rally Upgrades
Arguably the most famous motorsport version of the Celica is the WRC car that dominated rallies through the '90s. This home-brewed build took inspiration from those cars, making an off-road monster out of a $400 beater Celica.
The car has been thoroughly upgraded to make it great on dirt, including everything from fitting a lift kit to the new tubular bumpers. It combines to make a car that looks downright stunning and it's a great source of inspiration for anyone looking to make their own off-road builds.
6 Fender Flares
A classic JDM staple, fender flares have been around for decades, and the Celica manages to look great with them even across different generations. No matter whether an owner has an '80s Celica or a '00s one, it's a surefire way to add a bit of individual flare.
They also serve the practical function of enabling wider wheels to be fitted, which can improve the car's handling and general traction. It's a fairly inexpensive mod, so it's a good addition for those who don't have thousands to spend on completely overhauling their car.
5 Engine Swap
As a tuner favorite, it's inevitable that some builders will swap more powerful engines into their Celicas. Some opt for the traditional route of taking a more powerful Toyota engine and swapping it in, such as the car above's 1UZ V8 from a Lexus GS400.
Builders looking for a more controversial swap could follow the lead of the Edelbrock Celica at SEMA 2019 and LS-swap their car. A JDM classic with an American heart is sure to raise some eyebrows, but it's one of the best ways to get serious power without breaking the bank.
4 Stance Adjustment
It's a common choice but still a controversial one for the more old-school car fans out there. Stancing a car can look amazing if it's done right, and the Celica is no exception. It's another mod that's suitable for all generations of the model, although it's worth considering exactly how is best to achieve the look.
Some cars opt for bagged suspension, which is a versatile but expensive option. Some use aftermarket springs that sit lower than stock, which are a good balance between style and practicality. They'll still get caught on potholes, though. The worst option of all is to cut the car's stock springs, which is just lazy even for the cheapest of builds.
3 Body Kits
Being a strong-selling JDM car, it's no surprise that for every generation of Celica there's a wide variety of aftermarket tuners offering body kits. This particular example is fitted to a Celica XX, or Supra Celica as they were known in their home territory.
It's quite a brash build with prominent flares and kit edges that don't quite align with the stock bumper. Love it or loathe it, it's one of the best ways to make a Celica stand out.
2 Forced Induction
One of the main complaints about the stock Celica was that it wasn't the most powerful of cars. One easy way to solve that is by adding a forced induction kit, that is a supercharger or a turbocharger.
Which one to fit will depend on the exact power curve a builder wants, and their budget. Turbos are a slightly more popular option, but they often suffer from a very noticeable lag. Get it right, though, and owners can expect a serious power increase.
1 Rare Retro Wheels
With so many options for wheels out there, it's easy to go with the flashiest and biggest set that comes up on Instagram. That can look good sometimes, but it's not the best way to earn respect from hardcore Celica enthusiasts. Instead, it's worth trying to find a pair of period-correct JDM rims, the rarer the better.
A set like the Hayashi Commands on the orange car above will not only look great, it'll show real JDM gearheads that the car they're looking at is one to take seriously. Whether it's a rally build or a street build, rare wheels are one of the best investments to make for Celica modification.