Los Angeles, 1985. The air crackled with a sense of possibility. For a teenager navigating the thrilling, confusing landscape of adolescence, a car wasn’t just transportation—it was freedom, aspiration, and a statement. Among the automotive dreams of that era, the 1985 Toyota Celica GT-S stood out as a beacon of attainable cool.
This wasn’t just another car; it was the car. The Celica GT-S embodied the spirit of the mid-80s, a time when style, performance, and Japanese engineering prowess were converging to create something truly special. Even now, spotting a well-preserved 1985 Celica GT-S evokes a powerful wave of nostalgia, a longing for those sun-drenched days of youthful exuberance and open roads. This particular model, which has been subtly admired around town for years, finally sat still long enough to capture a few precious images, a testament to its enduring allure. While technically an ’83 model, for many, including myself lost in the reverie of the era, it’s forever etched in memory as the quintessential ’85.
Front quarter view of a red 1985 Toyota Celica GT-S parked on a city street, showcasing its pop-up headlights and sporty design.
The mid-1980s were a vibrant tapestry of cultural touchstones. Think back to the soundtrack of the time: Simple Minds echoing from car radios, the captivating gaze of the Afghan girl on the National Geographic cover, and the glitz and glamour of shows like Cheers. It was the era of Swatch watches, the cultural phenomenon of LiveAid, and the cinematic charm of Helen Slater. Even missteps like New Coke couldn’t dim the decade’s shine, overshadowed by the continued political presence of Ronald Reagan.
The Toyota Celica, particularly this third generation, was Japan’s compelling answer to the Ford Mustang. Introduced in 1982, this generation also spawned the Supra as a closely related sibling, before the two models diverged paths, with the Celica eventually transitioning to a front-wheel-drive platform. The 1985 Toyota Celica GT-S represented the pinnacle of this third generation in the American market. It boasted wider, more aggressive fenders, the desirable pop-up headlights (a feature offered alongside pop-out versions during its production run), wider wheels and tires for enhanced grip, and a sophisticated independent rear suspension system. The BF Goodrich Radial T/A tires seen here are likely the same iconic tires it would have rolled off the showroom floor with, adding to its authentic period charm.
Side profile of a 1985 Toyota Celica GT-S highlighting its sporty silhouette, flared fenders, and classic wheels.
The memories keep flooding back, painting a vivid picture of the 80s lifestyle. Aqua Net hairspray held gravity-defying hairstyles in place, shoulder pads added structure to every silhouette, and Ray-Ban Wayfarers were the eyewear of choice. John Hughes movies captured the teenage experience, In-N-Out Burger fueled late-night cravings after SAT prep, and answering machines played rock anthems to callers. The airwaves were dominated by KROQ, while Ralph Lauren Polo defined preppy fashion. Long, permed hair was the hairstyle du jour, and body-boarding at the beach was the quintessential California pastime, perhaps after catching Teen Wolf at the cinema.
The rear window louvers on this Celica are a quintessential 80s design cue, instantly recognizable and deeply linked to the decade’s aesthetic. While today’s automotive landscape is dominated by shades of gray with black trim, this monochromatic trend exists because, simply put, it looks good – perhaps a little too ubiquitous now. This 1985 Celica GT-S, however, is a vibrant reminder of a more colorful era, ready to cruise down Ventura Boulevard, from DeSoto Avenue to the Sherman Oaks Galleria and back, just like in the good old days. Gas was cheap, music was amazing, summer nights were balmy, and the open windows invited the world in.
Rear view of a 1985 Toyota Celica GT-S showcasing its louvered rear window, taillights, and GT-S badging.
More cultural snapshots of the time: the stark realism of Christiane F., the new wave sounds of The Cars, the coming-of-age story of The Breakfast Club, the coveted Guess Jeans, and the family sitcom Family Ties. MTV was a constant presence, Car & Driver magazine fueled automotive passions, and Moonlighting offered prime-time romantic comedy. First real jobs marked the transition to adulthood, Billy Crystal’s humor entertained, Sony Walkmans provided personal soundtracks, and private phone lines offered teenage privacy. Passing notes in class, lockers as social hubs, gummy bracelets as fashion statements, Israeli paratrooper bags as utilitarian chic, and the collective identity of The Brat Pack all defined the era.
The Celica GT-S wasn’t just a parked dream; it was meant to be driven. One memorable night, cruising down Mulholland Drive with friends in a borrowed GT-S, highlighted the car’s engaging nature. The stick shift felt precise, the square-centered steering wheel provided a solid connection, and the 2.4-liter 22R-EC engine, while torquey like a truck, possessed a surprising eagerness to rev. The GT-S seats were remarkably supportive, and even a restrained drive revealed the well-engineered chassis, responsive suspension, and capable tires of a car that felt fresh and modern for its time.
Interior view of a 1985 Toyota Celica GT-S showing the steering wheel, dashboard, and supportive bucket seats.
The late 80s brought further defining moments: close friendships solidified, first dates sparked romance (or infatuation), ATM cards offered newfound financial freedom, K-Swiss shoes became a footwear staple, and giant barrettes adorned hairstyles. Turbochargers were becoming increasingly prevalent in performance cars, girls wore Obsession perfume, and the growing awareness of AIDS cast a shadow. The search for college parties marked a new phase of life, the movie Mask, filmed locally, gained acclaim, concerns about the ozone layer emerged, traffic school became a rite of passage for some, Zuma Beach’s Tower 6 was a familiar landmark, and Betamax battled VHS for home video supremacy.
While some fortunate high school classmates received new Celicas as Sweet 16 gifts, often in convertible form, and even some jocks briefly owned them before youthful indiscretions took their toll, the 1985 Celica GT-S represented a specific moment in time. 1986 ushered in a new generation Celica, now front-wheel drive, arguably more refined and potent, but lacking the raw, solid feel of its rear-wheel-drive predecessor. The era was shifting, the cultural weather was changing, and the vibrant sunsets gave way to neon-lit nights. College, with its promise of change and new horizons, loomed large. But the 1985 Toyota Celica GT-S? It remained timeless, forever embodying the spirit of 1985, a perfect snapshot of an unforgettable era in automotive and cultural history.
Full car shot of a red 1985 Toyota Celica GT-S parked outdoors, capturing its overall design and classic appeal.
