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 have a pair of front seats from a 1980 Toyota Crown. They need to go. If you know of anyone who might want them please have them email me. They are in Scotland.

    Kind regards,

    R.P.Kenny

    1. I have a a Toyota Carina II 1985 which I would now like to sell and wondered if anyone could steer me in the right direction regarding Toyota enthusiast clubs etc where I might get in touch. She has served me well for many years and I would hate her to go to the scrap yard. Thank you

    1. Hi Anthony
      Thanks for your post and good to hear about your Hilux.
      We would recommend that you contact your local Toyota dealer who will be able to check what parts are still available for this model.

  2. Hi I’m looking for a few panels for my 1982 corolla estate dx I need every panel so 4 doors boot and a bonnet
    Thanks

  3. Hello Darren
    Thanks for your post.
    Best course of action here is to get in touch with the parts dept at your local Toyota dealer. You will need to have the VIN or chassis number handy to help them identify which model you have. They can then go through parts availability and cost with you. If you are unsure about the location of your nearest dealer, you can use the dealer locator at http://www.toyota.co.uk.
    Hope this helps.

  4. hi there im just restoring a 1975 corona mk2 is there any dates in scotland for a rally so i can aim to get it back on the road to meet up with other owners.im on face book ronald lawrie lanarkshire

  5. Hello Ronald
    Thanks for your post.
    It would be great to see some pics of your Corona on our Toyota UK Facebook page but in terms of dates for a rally have you checked out the Toyota Enthusiasts Club website? http://www.toyotaenthusiasts.com/
    They have a shows and events page so you can see what is coming up next year.
    Hope this helps.

  6. i got a celica st coupe 1980 its been dry stored for 24 years its in good condition
    for the year what sort of value can you put on it its all orignal i thinking of puting on ebay whats the
    starting price i should put on it thanks

    1. Hi Terry. Great car! Unfortunately we can’t advise you on this. We suggest getting in touch with a classic car specialist for a valuation. Thanks.

  7. I have a 1989 Toyota Supra Turbo L. Garage kept with a little over 73,000 miles. Excellent condition. Could you please tell me someone in my home state of Kentucky who possibly give me information on the value of this car. I would appreciate any assistance you can offer. Thank you.

    1. Hi Michael,
      Unfortunately, we cannot recommend a dealer or auctioneer in the US as we are Toyota UK. You would have to contact Toyota USA for this information.

  8. Hi,
    We are looking at selling the family car. It is a Toyota Corolla SL Coupe. My dad had bought it around the late 60’s and apparently it was of a limited edition range where only 4 were produced.
    The car is ice white in color with twi fine blue pinstripes running down each side of the ca.

    The car is still in good condition, but needs a little TLC. Would this interest anybody at all?

  9. Hi I have a Toyota celica st auto 1977 in quite good condition restored it to a certain point but need a carb kit for it as the diaphrams are perished and I’m missing the front lower balance.
    Any Ideas where I could get them or even made up.

    1. Hi Gary,
      Thanks for getting in touch.
      We think we know which Carburettor you have, however, to be sure please could you provide us with your Registration Number and VIN number.
      We can then check stock availability for you.
      Thanks.

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