When we usually talk about collector cars, we are referring either to unique models, made in a few pieces, or special editions, or... chassis numbers and, almost always, exotics of other eras. So how come the "holy grail" of all the collectors in the world is a 1977 Toyota Celica GT? Obviously, because no one has seen it, for about 40 years. And, this is one of the greatest mysteries of motoring. Which garage is it hiding in?
It's May 30, 1977, and the United States is where Star Wars premieres. The film is an instant hit and sweeps the box office. Among the thousands of souvenirs, toys, etc. made for the millions of fans of the film, one stands out: the lottery prize that the production company makes (called the Star Wars Space Fantasy sweepstakes). It's a brand new Toyota Celica GT, which Toyota gave to the production company to entrust to John Sladek, head of design at Delphi Auto Design, who had also made the posters for the film.
The old gang is working on the Star Wars Toyota Celica GT, about forty years ago. You should see where Darth Vader has done some dirty work again.
There, the car was fitted with a body kit similar, or some say exactly the same, as the 1977 Celica Pace Car. Delphi Auto Design then hired Edmund Cano and Skip Villegas, who were commissioned to design it. They repainted it from the ground up, airbrushed Star Wars, and put decals on it with Darth Vader and the rest of the gang (OK, maybe not gang, but it's nothing to do with them). After the car is in its final form, it is delivered to 20th Century Fox, at whose studios it is photographed with Darth Vader, R2-D2 and C-3PO. The photo is featured exclusively in the October 1977 issue of Toyota Today, a magazine aimed exclusively at the brand's US dealers. Meanwhile, 2-3 more photos are taken in the studios, including one of a secretary who looks a lot like a Hollywood star (but isn't).
Fara Fawcett from... that is the secretary of Delphi Auto Design with the car we are all (OK, not all) looking for today
In early 1978, the car is delivered to its new owner, the winner of the Star Wars sweepstakes. In the years that follow, some people report seeing it, in various places, but that's about it. For a little less than 40 years, the Star Wars Celica GT has gone missing...
Cano and Villegas paint the collector's Celica GT in Star Wars colours
Fast forward to 2015. Hollywood producer Dean Shada announces that he is looking for the car that has mysteriously gone missing. Toyota GB joins the "game" and joins the search, to no avail. (Even more)Fast forward, to 2018: the Marden-Kane promotion company, which was in charge of the sweepstakes in 1977 and had delivered the Celica in question, announces that it has not yet been able to find any trace of it. And why don't they all turn to Delphi Auto Design, who, logically, would have some more information about their creation?
A 1977 advertisement for the Toyota Celica GT, inviting the public to go see the one and only Star Wars Celica GT. Those who went and saw it, saw it for the last time
Rewind to 1978: Shortly after the creation of the Star Wars Celica GT, a curse seems to strike Delphi. Its main investor is arrested for smuggling and mob ties. A high-ranking employee is kidnapped. Another is murdered. Shortly afterwards, the company goes out of business, mired in debt. It disappears, as does the Celica trail of our story.
Back to 2018, when -almost- the whole planet is looking for a trace of this Celica, always ending up with no more than 6 photos from the 70s. Just like that, one of the greatest automotive mysteries continues. And, given that nowhere does it appear that the Celica GT of our history was not destroyed in an accident, or retired for scrap, the mystery will continue, until it is discovered as a unique barn find, under a lot of dust and, who knows what else...
Tip: It probably goes without saying that even if you have information about the whereabouts of the Star Wars Celica GT, you could still sell it for a lot of money...
