1977 Toyota Celica First Gen Build by 1st Gen Celicas Event Organizer

Carlos Castillo 

1977 Toyota Celica 

Instagram: @1st_gen_celicas 

Photographer: Marvin Recinos

Instagram: @mr2mivin 

"There aren't many 1st Gens around. So no matter what you do to it, it's already unique." – Carlos Castillo

The Organiser Behind the Scenes

Carlos Castillo is the organizer for the yearly 1st Gen Celicas & Japanese Classics event at Faith Quality Auto Body in Murrieta, California. But before he was bringing the community together, he was just a kid in the early 90s watching his older brother Luis drive a 1986 Honda Prelude.

"I was around a lot of these older JDM cars," Carlos recalls. "Most of my friends had older brothers with modified Hondas. So of course I wanted to follow in their footsteps."

The $600 Facebook Find

Carlos found this 1977 Toyota Celica on Facebook Marketplace for just $600—literally a few blocks from where he lives. "I felt like it was time to get into something different, and this opportunity presented itself," he explains. "The car was all there. I couldn't believe how complete it was for that price."

Working at a body shop, this was the perfect project. "It didn't need much." He went with Mini Cooper electric blue for the paint and Techno Toy Tuning coilovers all around for suspension. The old 20R was swapped for a 22RE (now a questionable decision, he admits with a laugh).

The car also features reproduction lenses made by OFFDAMRKT fab works, who make all the reproduction lenses for 1st Gen Celicas.

The Livery That Changed Everything

The new wrap livery was designed and installed by Carlos' friend Nik, who owns NLAB Wraps in Murrieta, California. "That livery kept me from selling the car," Carlos admits. "It made me fall in love with it all over again. He killed it with that 70s race tribute design."

The vintage racing-inspired graphics perfectly capture the spirit of the era while giving the car a modern edge that turns heads at every show.

Building a Collection

"You know there aren't many 1st Gens around. So no matter what you do to it, it's already unique," Carlos says. "I'm glad I purchased it when I did. I now own a few of them. It's pretty cool to walk into my shop and see them all lol."

Complete Build Specifications

Engine and Drivetrain

• 22RE engine swap (replacing original 20R)

Suspension

• Techno Toy Tuning coilovers (all around)
• T3 suspension components

Wheels and Tires

• Rota wheels

Interior

• Mostly stock original interior
• Blue NRG bucket seat
• Racing harness

Exterior

• Mini Cooper electric blue paint by coworker Morgan
• Custom 70s race tribute livery by NLAB Wraps
• Reproduction lenses by OFFDAMRKT fab works

Who Did the Work?

"Most of the work I did myself," Carlos says. His coworker, Morgan handled the paint, but everything else was done at home. Working at a body shop gave Carlos the skills and access to make the build happen on his own terms.

Future Plans

"The next thing would be a roll cage and swap another motor into it," Carlos explains. "I would love to start tracking it."

The plan is to take this streetcar and give it a proper racing life, honouring the vintage racing aesthetic the livery already celebrates.

Community Leadership

As the organiser of the yearly 1st Gen Celicas & Japanese Classics event, Carlos has become a central figure in keeping these rare cars alive and celebrated. The event at Faith Quality Auto Body in Murrieta brings together enthusiasts, collectors, and builders who share a passion for preserving automotive history.

His growing collection of 1st Gen Celicas isn't just about personal enjoyment—it's about keeping these rare cars on the road and inspiring others to appreciate what makes them special.

Shout Outs

Shout out to my big bro @offdamrkt. My wife Jessica who also loves these cars. Nik at @NLABWraps. The guys over at @technotoytuning and @imoprtworx. And the rest of the 1st Gen Celica Crew.

Dream Car

"One that's reliable lol. No but my next car will be a Ferrari 360."

Final Thoughts

From a $600 Facebook find to a collection of 1st Gen Celicas and organising one of the premier events celebrating these rare classics, Carlos Castillo's journey shows what happens when passion meets opportunity. His 1977 Toyota Celica with its 70s race livery and 22RE swap represents not just a personal build, but a commitment to keeping an entire generation of Japanese classics alive and thriving.

"It's pretty cool to walk into my shop and see them all." That simple statement captures the essence of what it means to be a true enthusiast—surrounding yourself with the cars you love and sharing that passion with a community that gets it.

Call to Action

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