Tippo
Well-known member
Here's the story of how I got the newest member of the family. Buckle up, it's a fairly long read:
Nearly two decades ago driving to college in my 92' Celica GTS, I noticed out of the corner my eye another 5th gen Celica parked at a house. I paid very little attention to what was sitting there, as I was just working my way to school and back. A while later, curiosity got the best of me and I drove by really slowly, noticing it said "Turbo All-Trac" on the back. Although excited to learn what was there, I still never mustered up the courage to stop and knock on the door to ask about the car since it looked like it was in use regularly. The car was fairly local, so I would drive by every so often just to keep tabs on it. I started to become invested in it.
Over the years it was evident the car had stopped moving. I still didn't stop and ask about it since there was never a "for sale" sign on it. This kicked off my obsession for the 5th gen Celica and All-tracs in particular. In the upcoming years, I had purchased a few All-tracs, completely restored one of them in the process (check my project thread). I had since sold them all, since I wasn't in the right place in my life and have since regretting the decision to sell my restored ST185.
A few years ago I noticed the local ST185 actually becoming overgrown in weeds, then bushes. It was shocking because I didn't know why this extremely rare car was left to sit, maybe the owner had no idea what it was? I decided to find out the story last year, I stopped and knocked on the door.
A gentleman in his mid 40s showed up at the window and immediately looked disgusted. Clearly he wasn't happy about me dropping by and probably thought I was a missionary. The first thing I did was point to his Celica and mention it before he could slam the door in my face. His mood lightened after learning I was only there to discuss the ST185 in the ground. He decided to throw his shoes on and go outside to discuss with me the story of his All-trac turbo.
His dad bought it right off a lease at 20k miles in 1993 and drove the daylights out of it for 12 years before leaving it to his son. The gentleman who inherited it and also drove the daylights out of it for the next 6 years before leaving it sit for a more practical 4 door that he could fit his kids in. He never wanted to sell it because of the sentimental value when he thought of his father. It sat for roughly 7 years with the intention of eventually getting back in it and driving it after the kids were grown. At this time he had no intention of selling the car, which was upsetting because of the condition it was in. I thanked him for sharing the story with me. We exchanged cell phone numbers and said our goodbyes.
Like clockwork, I texted him every 2 months asking how he was doing and if he felt like he could let go of the car. I never received a response. This happened for a very long year and a half when he finally texted me back and decided it was time... And I made an offer he couldn't refuse. He accepted and a few weeks later I dropped by with my trailer.
Anyways, here's a timeline of how the car looked before and after pulling it out of the ground with my trailer winch. Although I paid too much for it, this is my keeper car that I had a very long history with. It matches my 92' sw20 mr2 turbo, so she fits right in with the family. I hope to do updates over the next few years and bring her back where she should be.
I have regretted selling my '90 ST185 to this day and will do my absolute best to restore and utilize this diamond in the rough in the future to come.
Here's some pictures of the storyline, enjoy!
Google maps
The first drive-by
Nearly two decades ago driving to college in my 92' Celica GTS, I noticed out of the corner my eye another 5th gen Celica parked at a house. I paid very little attention to what was sitting there, as I was just working my way to school and back. A while later, curiosity got the best of me and I drove by really slowly, noticing it said "Turbo All-Trac" on the back. Although excited to learn what was there, I still never mustered up the courage to stop and knock on the door to ask about the car since it looked like it was in use regularly. The car was fairly local, so I would drive by every so often just to keep tabs on it. I started to become invested in it.
Over the years it was evident the car had stopped moving. I still didn't stop and ask about it since there was never a "for sale" sign on it. This kicked off my obsession for the 5th gen Celica and All-tracs in particular. In the upcoming years, I had purchased a few All-tracs, completely restored one of them in the process (check my project thread). I had since sold them all, since I wasn't in the right place in my life and have since regretting the decision to sell my restored ST185.
A few years ago I noticed the local ST185 actually becoming overgrown in weeds, then bushes. It was shocking because I didn't know why this extremely rare car was left to sit, maybe the owner had no idea what it was? I decided to find out the story last year, I stopped and knocked on the door.
A gentleman in his mid 40s showed up at the window and immediately looked disgusted. Clearly he wasn't happy about me dropping by and probably thought I was a missionary. The first thing I did was point to his Celica and mention it before he could slam the door in my face. His mood lightened after learning I was only there to discuss the ST185 in the ground. He decided to throw his shoes on and go outside to discuss with me the story of his All-trac turbo.
His dad bought it right off a lease at 20k miles in 1993 and drove the daylights out of it for 12 years before leaving it to his son. The gentleman who inherited it and also drove the daylights out of it for the next 6 years before leaving it sit for a more practical 4 door that he could fit his kids in. He never wanted to sell it because of the sentimental value when he thought of his father. It sat for roughly 7 years with the intention of eventually getting back in it and driving it after the kids were grown. At this time he had no intention of selling the car, which was upsetting because of the condition it was in. I thanked him for sharing the story with me. We exchanged cell phone numbers and said our goodbyes.
Like clockwork, I texted him every 2 months asking how he was doing and if he felt like he could let go of the car. I never received a response. This happened for a very long year and a half when he finally texted me back and decided it was time... And I made an offer he couldn't refuse. He accepted and a few weeks later I dropped by with my trailer.
Anyways, here's a timeline of how the car looked before and after pulling it out of the ground with my trailer winch. Although I paid too much for it, this is my keeper car that I had a very long history with. It matches my 92' sw20 mr2 turbo, so she fits right in with the family. I hope to do updates over the next few years and bring her back where she should be.
I have regretted selling my '90 ST185 to this day and will do my absolute best to restore and utilize this diamond in the rough in the future to come.
Here's some pictures of the storyline, enjoy!
Google maps
The first drive-by