1979 Celica GT Liftback "Barn Car"

[toyotasickness]

Hello All, I have the task of getting a 1979 Celica GT running that has been dorment since about 1995. Unfortunately no preparation was made before storage. Anyway, I'm sure there will be much consulting with this forum in getting it roadworthy. BTW the car has 9,800 miles...yes 9,800 miles and it isn't a typo. My father bought the car new in 1979 so I know the miles are accurate. Following are a few pictures from where the car is parked and this is it under the cover and boxes (thank God empty boxes). The gas tank has just been drained and the fuel pump replaced. The one thing that is in the way of trying to fire the motor is the fuel pressure relief valve that is just above the fuel pump. The valve has failed and dumps all the pumped fuel back into the tank. According to Toyota the part has been discontinued. Any ideas where I can purchase one? Also it seems the hatchback lifts are shot....can these still be sourced? Thanks in advance.

[stepho]

Aftermarket rear struts (aka hatch lifts) can be sourced brand new from strut specialists.
Just take your old ones in and they will find a close match.
They are generic parts - no special brackets or anything.

I'm not familiar with the pressure relief valve - here in Australia we didn't get electric fuel pumps until we also got fuel injection (which uses a high pressure pump).
But Toyota often uses the same parts across many cars.
Look in junk yards for anything of a similar vintage - Supra, Corona, Corolla, Cressida, Hilux (aka Truck).

You can get more help at
http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/Classic-Celica/
We concentrate mostly on the first generation (1970-1977) but your second gen 1979 has many of the same mechanical parts as our cars.

- Stepho