1974 Toyota Celica First Gen Father-Daughter Build Aqua Metallic Gold

Jessica Castillo 

1974 Toyota Celica 

Instagram: @mrs.1st_gen 

Photographer: Marvin Recinos

Instagram: @mr2mivin 

"Unfortunately he passed away after it was painted, and he didn't get the chance to see it completed." – Jessica Castillo

The Woman Behind the 1st Gen Celicas Event

My name is Jessica, and I'm the parts manager at Faith Quality Auto Body in Murrieta, California—the very shop where the annual 1st Gen Celicas event is held. Cars have always been a part of my life, but it wasn't until my husband Carlos picked up his '77 Celica that I wanted to get one of my own.

And when I did, I didn't just want a car. I wanted to build one with my dad.

A Father-Daughter Project

Jessica's father fell in love with the 1st Gen Celica the moment he saw hers. Together, they decided to get one and build it as a project—just the two of them. They found this 1974 Toyota Celica sitting in a lot alongside about five other 1st Gen Celicas. This one was the most complete of the bunch, and her father purchased it for $2,500.

The build came together beautifully. The car was painted, the suspension was sorted, and the interior was carefully restored. It was everything they had planned.

Then her father passed away—after the car was painted, but before he ever got to see it completed.

"Unfortunately he passed away after it was painted, and he didn't get the chance to see it completed." Jessica finished what they started together, and every time this Celica rolls out to a show, her father goes with it.

The Color That Sets It Apart

The aqua metallic with gold pearl paint is the car's crown jewel. It's a color choice that immediately separates this Celica from the rest of the 1st Gen pack. "The color choice definitely sets this one apart from all the rest," Jessica says. "I also love the subtle appearance of it."

In a world where classic Toyotas often go with safe, traditional colors, the aqua-to-gold shimmer catches light in a way that turns heads without being over the top—exactly the kind of refined, tasteful statement Jessica was going for.

The Hand-Painted GT Stripes

One detail that makes this build truly personal: Jessica herself recreated the original-style GT side stripes by hand. In a build where the paint and body were handled by professionals, the fact that she took the time to hand-recreate a signature detail of the car shows just how much this project meant to her.

1974 Toyota Celica Complete Build Specifications

Engine

• 22RTE with stock turbo

Suspension

• Techno Toy Tuning coilovers
• T3 suspension

Wheels

• Sharak X-1X wheels (1982) by Bridgestone Corp

Exterior

• Aqua metallic with gold pearl paint by Morgan Zuniga
• Fiberglass front lip
• Fiberglass rear spoiler
• Clear racing jacket by My Toy Garage
• Hand-recreated original GT side stripes by Jessica

Interior

• Fully restored white interior (original color)
• Restored by friend Christian

Who Did the Work?

The bodywork was done by Jessica's husband, Carlos. All the paint was handled by their coworker, Morgan Zuniga. The white interior was restored by their friend Christian. And Jessica herself hand-recreated the original-style GT side stripes. A true family and community effort—right down to the finishing touches.

Future Plans

"To take it out to more shows and events," Jessica says. The only upgrade on the radar is a turbo upgrade to give the 22RTE a bit more bite.

The 1st Gen Celica Community

Jessica isn't just a builder—she's part of the heartbeat of the 1st Gen Celica community in Southern California. Working at Faith Quality Auto Body, the very shop that hosts the annual 1st Gen Celicas event, she's surrounded by these cars and the people who love them every day.

Her husband Carlos owns his own '77 Celica, her brother-in-law Luis (@OFFDAMRKT) is deeply involved in the scene, and Joji from My Toy Garage helped with the racing jacket and accessories. This isn't just a car hobby for Jessica—it's family, community, and a way to keep her father's memory alive.

Shout Outs

My husband Carlos, my brother-in-law Luis @OFFDAMRKT, Joji @MyToyGarage, and all of our 1st Gen Celica friends who keep this community thriving.

Dream Car

"Lexus LC500 would be nice, but I like my RC 200T."

Final Thoughts

Jessica Castillo's 1974 Toyota Celica is more than a classic car with a stunning aqua metallic gold pearl paint job. It's a father-daughter build that was never fully finished together—but was finished with love. Every time it shows up at a meet or event, every time that aqua-to-gold shimmer catches the light, her father is there.

"Unfortunately, he didn't get the chance to see it completed." But from the hand-painted GT stripes Jessica recreated herself to the careful white interior restoration and the subtle, refined presence the car carries at every show—he would have loved it.

In a community of 1st Gen Celicas where Jessica plays a central role, this car isn't just part of the scene. It's a piece of it that means more than the rest.

Call to Action

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