oh 1st gen celi's were so much simpler haha
example :
TA22L-MZ-NN the modelcode is split in 3 basic groups in which every character has a distinct meaning.
The first group
TA22L- is a basic vehicle identification code.
The second group
-MZ- lists options of the vehicle like autotrans, sportspackage and such. In this example only 2 characters are used, but 3 or 4 are no exception to the rule.
The third group
-NN defines the trim level like LT,ST,GT and such. Both characters are singled out as exterior/interior code characters but will not be separately quoted since the trim level is always equal for both. Meaning something like you can't have a GT exterior with an LT interior.
An additional 3rd character L or R can be grouped behind these two characters defining left or righthand side drive. And now for a bit more detail;
TA22L-MZ-NN The first character in this- example theT represents the series of the engine used in the car. Toyota used 2 different series of engines for the Celica being the T and the R series engines.
TA22L-MZ-NN Second character is the only constant character in every Celica. It stands for chassistype A. This is the chassis Toyota used to base their Celica and Carina models on.
TA22L-MZ-NN Ah yes the type designation. More significant type changes of the Celica were marked by a change in the type designation. Basically you could bring it down to this;
**
20*-**-**Coupe. Economy class. Came with the T and the 8R engine Dec ' 70 through Aug.'72
**
21*-**-**Coupe. Not sure yet, suspecting it's the US equivalent of abovementioned type. Came with the 18R engine.
**
22*-**-**Coupe. Built Dec'70 through Sept '75.Most significant change in fillercap placement to meet new safety regulations.
**
23*-**-**Coupe. The 22 successor. Built Sept'75 through Late '77. Most significant change is the slightly longer nose section.
**
24*-**-**Coupe. US version of the Celica. sporting safety bumpers and R-series engines only. Built? Dunno, again any info on this topic is appreciated.
**
25*-**-**Liftback. Japanese domestic variant and predecessor of the export liftbackmodels. launched April-73. Since it was relieved by the 28/29 mid '75 logic suggests it was not in production more then 2 years. Came with 18R series engine only.
Most significant detail, the 5split taillights which were unique for this type.
**
27*-**-**Liftback. Same as the 25 liftback, launched April-73, came with 2T series engine only.
**
28*-**-**Liftback. Most common none U.S. model. Launched mid '75 right till the end in '77. Featured the 23 types long nose section.
**
29*-**-**Liftback. U.S. version of the 28 Celica. Launched mid '75 right till the end in '77. Safetybumpers and R-series engines only. Special environmental gripes to make the cleaner for some states.
**
30*-**-**Liftback. Domestic Japanese Celica. 77only. High luxury standard. Most significant detail, the TTCN (Toyota Total Clean System) which involved some gripes to the engine to make it meet Japanese emission standards
**
35*-**-**Liftback. Domestic Japanese Celica. 77only. Basically the same as the 30. lacking information on differences between those two yet.
TA22L-MZ-NN Drive side. L stands for Lefthand drive. R for righthand drive.
TA22L-MZ-NN Info on this part varies too since after 10/75 some of the codes including this Z became obsolete. Most commonly accepted explanation as follows:
Z Tandem master cylinder brake system (ST) package. Became obsolete as all post 10/75 were standard equipped with this feature.
K 4 speed manual gearbox
M 5 speed manual gearbox
H 3 speed auto transmission
U Unleaded fuelsystem
Q GT suspension, brakes sport package
G Rearranged enginebay to suit the twincam engines.
C Californian regulations clean burn type.
X Uprated suspension package, used on GTV's. It is also used for some other post 7510 models sold to markets where roads could be poorer (unsealed)
TA22L-MZ-NN The trim code
L ET
M LT
N ST
Y GT
U GT (US)
G GT (Japan)
E GTV (Japan)
(
A ST {U.S.})
Courtesy of
http://www.classic-celica.nl
