1981 Celica Silhouette (canada) 10th anniversary edition

[OverHeight]

Hi folks, found this website while I was hunting for pictures of my first car that I bought used in 1984. It was a 1981 Celica Silhouette 10th anniversay edition. Colour was dark Charcoal, had a white interior, steel sliding sunroof, supra stereo with EQ, and the brushed aluminum B-pillar said Silhouette on it. Also had factory aluminum wheels.

For the life of me I can't find anything about this car anywhere. Does anyone have any info or pictures on it? Was it limited to Canada only?

Thanks in advance!

[stepho]

I collect information (brochures, books, microfiche, etc) on the RWD Celicas but this is the first time I have heard of the Silhouette. From your description it sounds very similar to the GTA (automatic) and USGP (5-speed manual) that the US used to get rid of remaining stock. Since the Yanks are so good at trumpeting their stuff, I assume it must be a Canadian only package. The US/Canada microfiche doesn't mention it, so it is not from the factory. So it is probably either a dealer package or a Toyota Canada package.

Here are the US brochures.
http://members.iinet.net.au/~stepho/...8003-USA-USGP/
http://members.iinet.net.au/~stepho/.../80xx-USA-GTA/

You already mentioned the sound system (originally used in the Cressida) and the unique B pillars. Does it also have special interior trim, a special honeycomb grill and alloy 14x6" wheels (8-spoke that was also optional on the normal Celica or mesh design that was also optional on the Cressida)? Is it a coupé or liftback?

Do you still have it (or at least pictures)?
If so, can you send details of the build plate in the engine bay (specifically the build code that looks something like RA43L-BLMQSA) and the VIN. These often contain codes that point out options.

- Stepho

[OverHeight]

The USGP car is the same, same interior, 5 speed, liftback, except as I said the color and the B pillar was a brushed aluminum cap and said Celica with Silhouette under it. Also that brushed aluminum cap transitioned across the roof, at least from what I can remember. Also I think under the door edge guard moulding there were like 10 or so pin stripes of varying thicknesses with a symbol of a swan just behind the door.

The grill if I remember correctly had slotted ribs going across. I think the wheels looked like the picture, or they could have been more like a 5 spoke, not sure though.

Don't have the car anymore, only had it for 2 years. I might have pictures somewhere, just need to find them and get them scanned.

I bet that Toyota didn't sell all the USGP cars and decided to get rid of those parts in Canada. Just used a different colour paint and badges and they were done.
Oh, the other difference was the engine, the Silhouette came with the 22R 2.4 litre engine.

[stepho]

Ah, that gave me some clues to expand on.
But I'm rushing off to work, so I'll speak more tonight (which I think is your tomorrow morning).

- Stepho

[stepho]

Here's what I've worked out so far.

The US only USGP liftback was made from Jan 1980 to May 1980. It had:
- 5-speed manual gearbox
- Cressida sound system
- 8 spoke 14x5 alloy wheels (optional on all Celicas and Supras)
- special honeycomb grill from Japanese ST model
- special side stripes
- flat black B-pillars
- 2.2L engine (20R)
- fancy white interior trim

The US only Olympic liftback was made at the same time but I have no other specs.

The US only 10th anniversary GTA coupé was made from Nov 1980 to Feb 1981. It had:
- 4-speed auto gearbox
- Cressida sound system
- mesh style spoke 14x5 alloy wheels from the Cressida
- special honeycomb grill from Japanese ST model
- special side stripes
- cruise control
- power windows
- centre console with map light
- lots of beige/copper/brown trim
- 5000 made
- 2.4L engine (22R)

The Canadian only 10th anniversary silhouette was sold in early 1981. It had:
- 5-speed manual gearbox
- Cressida sound system
- 8 spoke 14x5 alloy wheels
- ordinary grill
- 2.4L engine (22R)

USGP and GTA Details were taken from the USGP and GTA brochures and Brian Long's book "Celica & Supra". Silhouette details are from your information and some deduction.

The Silhouette was probably influenced by the USGP and GTA but was unlikely to be leftover USGP or GTA models because the grill and B-pillars were different.
Some Japanese models had brushed aluminium B-pillars but the "Silhouette" wording seems to be unique.

- Stepho

[stepho]

I pulled out the old US/Canada 4# factory microfiche.
I look under the build codes and also at the part numbers for the stereo, side stripes, grill and B-pillar emblems.
There is no mention at all of the Silhouette.
Curiously, there is no mention of the GTA or USGP either but there is mention of the Olympic liftback from Jan 1980 to May 1980 and the 'Special campaign' from Nov 1980 to Feb 1981.
The GTA coupe and the Silhouette liftback both fall in the date range for the special campaign, except the build code is given as RA43L-BCHQSA. The C in the build code means coupe, which leaves out the Silhouette.
I was expecting something in the microfiche for the B-pillar trim but their is no mention at all of a 'Silhouette' badge/decal.

This isn't much info to go on but it does imply that the Silhouette was not built as-such in Japan but was a package that was added in Canada using parts from other Toyotas (eg stereo and wheels). The B-pillar badge/decal must have been made and applied locally in Canada.

A further note on the Silhouette being leftover USGP or GTA models.
The USGP was an RA42 liftback with the 20R (2.2 L) engine from Jan 1980 to May 1980. It would be hard to imagine Toyota changing the engine on the leftover stock to the 22R (2.4 L).
The GTA was an RA43 coupe with the 22R (2.4 L) engine from Nov 1980 to Feb 1981. It would be really hard to imagine Toyota converting leftover stock from coupe to liftback.

- Stepho