Toyota Enthusiasts Club celebrates 20 years

In 1991 Nik Ellis and Bob Willis, two young men with a shared appreciation of Toyota models of the 1970s, founded the Toyota Enthusiasts Club (TEC). Last weekend TEC celebrated its 20th anniversary in fine style, with a display of around 45 vehicles at its annual meeting, including classics and rare conversions.

Toyota Enthusiasts Club
Toyota Enthusiasts Club

Owners travelled from all over the country as well as abroad to attend the meeting, including Raf Evers from Belgium who attends every year with his family in a 1970’s Hiace Campervan, just one of his 36 Toyota vehicles. TEC’s main focus is on the models of the 1970s and 1980s, the hey-day of the Celica, Cressida, Crown and Corolla.

Toyota Enthusiasts Club

Members own some of the finest original specification examples of these Toyota rarities in the UK. A good example is Bill Sykes from Cumbria who purchased his 1974 Celica ST in 1977 and has kept it ever since.

The club provides a valuable network to help when it comes to sourcing parts, specifications or providing advice on restoration and maintenance. The quarterly club magazine, TEC-TOPICS, offers a wealth of information about every aspect of owning and running a classic Toyota, whether it is 20 or 40-plus years old.

The club’s 20th Anniversary celebration at the Billing Aquadrome, near Northampton, included awards for the best-presented vehicles from each decade with the overall top honour going to a 1985 Celica Supra. Among the rare examples on view were an Avon Celica cabriolet conversion – one of just four examples that were built – and an immaculate 1960s Corona fitted with a Celica engine.

To help the Toyota Enthusiasts Club celebrate its 20th anniversary, Toyota presented the club with a large cake and sent its own Castrol competition-liveried 1990s Supra GT to join the display.

Peter Hunter, Editor of TEC-TOPICS said, “This 20th Anniversary National Meeting was the most successful we’ve had in recent years with over 30 per cent of club members there to celebrate the occasion. Our shared enthusiasm for Toyotas of the past meant that we had a great variety of cars from the 1960s to the 2000s and everyone enjoyed the party – and the anniversary cake.”

More details about the club can be found at www.toyotaenthusiasts.com.

49 comments

  1. I believe my husband has a number of Toyota windscreens that are stored. Would you or any members be interested in seeing photos of these with a few to purchasing. Thank you

      1. Hi I have a BB opendeck that I’m thinking of selling but have no idea of value 2000 model 1.5 auto. I have replaced interior and new wheels+ stainless exhaust. Low to high price to give me a ides 1 year MOT 2000 km.

  2. Hi I have a question for Toyota Camry 1997/8/9 I have a 3litre 24 valve 1997 camry the original alloy wheels need
    Replacing I would like to upgrade them please advise me what other alloys fit the camry IE
    Corrola bmw/Mercedes and any other vehicles thanks in advance brian e

  3. I have inherited a Toyota Camry 1985 with 50000 on the clock if off interest to any at your club . It was sorn 12 years ago and is in the garage of a house au bought not much to get it going in excellent condition I have original keys log book and receipt from when it was bought and 2 previous owners. Would be a shame to scrap an old rare vehicle.

  4. Thanks for your reply I still can’t get any information regarding alloys that would fit my 1997camry
    3 litre engine would anybody in the club be able to help me
    Many thanks

  5. Hi , I would appreciate if you could help me or point me in the right direction, I’m trying to locate a front windscreen
    For a 1985, Camry mk1 , 2.0 GLI 4door saloon, Thanking you , Chris

    1. Hi Ruth, thanks for your comment.

      This is not a club that we run here at Toyota UK, it is an independent organisation. We are unsure if the club is still operating, but there are various other online owners forums.

      Thanks,

      Toyota UK

  6. Hello I still have for sale a1997/8/9 Toyota Camry 3 litre 24 valve centre box and rear box very little use £70
    Collection from Hampshire thanks b England

  7. I have a Toyota avensis xreg 17ooo miles leather interior 5 cd changer in boot well kept beautiful engine would like to sell can post pictures

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