Celica RA40 (Mk2)

Toyota hit back at the super successful Honda with the second generation Celica. Styled in southern California, the sporty 2+2 reflected its huge popularity there by being significantly larger overall.

Available in two-door coupe and three-door hatchback (Liftback) configurations, the 63kW 18R-C 2.0-litre drivetrain, front chassis and front suspension were previous generation carryovers.

Again no sports car, the RA40 cemented the “hairdresser” label the series has since struggled to rid itself of.

Not for Australia was the extended wheelbase six-cylinder Celica XX – or Supra – which eventually arrived during the next generation Celica’s reign in 1983.