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.
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.
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.
Hi, I have TOYOTA GT COUPE MANUF.1983 AND I WAND SUNROOF thanks from CYPRUS
Hi Marios,
Thanks for getting in touch, it’s great to hear you have such an old car! We would recommend contacting Toyota in your local region who may be able to assist you further.
Thanks.
Hi I have a
Toyota Corolla E11 1997-2002 Hatchback
It needs a new
rear Anti-roll bar bush clamp.
or D Clamp
Can Everyone give me a part
number.
All the best
Steven Andrews.
Hi Steven,
Thanks for getting in touch. If you can send us the reg we’ll be able to look into this for you.
Thanks.
hi I have a Toyota Celica 2003 j80 chn and my heater is blowing out cold air and im looking for a heater matrix part no. T8710720670 does anybody know where I can get one from and also if there are any mechanics who would be able to fix it for me I’ve had four mechanics look at it and cant fix the problem or don’t want to do the job have contacted a Toyota dealer and they said cannot get the part i’ll appreciate for any information thanks Angela, Leicester
I have a 1996 CAMRY V6 – and I want to replace the Heater Blower Resistor. Bought the part and following Haynes manual – but it is not in position described – can you help me locate position?
Also want to replace the Heater Blower Motor – can you help with part number and best source?
many thanks
Hi John,
Thanks for getting in touch.
Could you please provide us with your UK reg?
Thanks.
Hi,
I have a 2001 Mk I Prius (181k miles) showing a Main battery warning and P3000 and P3009 fault codes. Main dealers want to fit a new main battery and ECU at huge cost. But they’re fitters not mechanics. I’m not a car person so wouldn’t know where to begin to fix it and am wary of touching the HV battery. But it seems shockingly wasteful to scrap a perfectly good car. One day it could be a classic. So… Do you know of a suitably skilled mechanic able to fix these faults? I’m in the Herts/North London area. MB
Hi Mike,
Thanks for your comment.
Our Toyota Centre technicians are experts in our product range, so they are best place to diagnose any potential vehicle issues.
You can find your nearest Toyota Centre using this link – https://www.toyota.co.uk/forms-v2/forms?tab=pane-dealer.
Thanks.
Dear All, we have a D reg. Toyota Tercel 4WD station wagon for sale. We are located in Newton Abbot, and wondered the best place to advertise the vehicle for maximum coverage / for the right enthusiast. Regards Sean and Kirsty.
Hi both, thanks for your comment.
Sorry to hear that you are looking at selling! You could always try the various online owner’s forums.
Good luck with the sale.
Hi, I have a 2001 Gen1 – and have recently had the Catalytic Converter Stolen. Is there anywhere in NW London/ Hertfordshire that would be able to repair it. I know there are no parts available from Toyota. & (I would prefer not to have one with precious metals in.) I understand that it may be possible to have a replacement part fitted – that does not contain any precious metals. This is the second attack on my car – 1st time they only cut part of the pipe.
Hi Ann,
We are sorry to hear that your vehicle has been targeted by thieves again. We can only recommend that you use official Toyota parts where available. If, due to age, certain parts aren’t available your vehicle you could try a breakers yard but we can’t advise on aftermarket parts.
Thanks
Hi, I purchased a 1985 Toyota Camry about 8 years ago to restore, but then comes a long story , son had bump in his car ,he used Camry for 3 years, then daughters car went bump in the night , she used it for another 3years , now I’m about to strip it down /respay and rebuild, any idea where I can purchase front corner lights from and headlights, Camry 2.0 GLI 1985 , or any parts that could be useful to me for rebuild
Thanking you . Chris
Hi Chris,
We would recommend contacting your nearest Toyota Centre for further assistance with this query.
They will be best placed to assist you in finding these parts.
Thanks.
Hi ,i have a 1989 toyota hiace campervan reg G240 GPW its has 2.0 petrol 5 speed engine, im having no luck finding an exhaust system can anyone steer me in the right direction or know if others models used same exhaust?
Hi I have a Toyota Corolla 1999 I’m looking for a drivers door window winder thanks
Window moter
Hi Anthony,
Thanks for your comment.
Please may you provide us with your Vehicle Registration.
Thanks.