Toyota Celica Coupe GT-TS, TwinCam Turbo Group B Rally Car

In the Group B class, which is introduced in the World Rally Championship (WRC) in the early eighties, there is a lot of freedom in the technical design of the cars.

A brand like Audi is now entering the fray with four wheel drive. With this Celica GT TS, Toyota opts for more conventional technology: rear wheel drive, a rear axle with leaf springs and an engine with two valves per cylinder. The engine has been heavily tuned though 370 hp instead of the standard 180 and is equipped with fuel injection and a turbo. Especially in long distance rallies, the Toyota proves its potential. Works driver Bjorn Waldegard wins the Rallye Cote dIvoire in 1983 with this Celica and the Safari Rally a year later. In 1986, the last year of Group B, Waldegard wins both events with this car. With drivers such as Waldegard, Kankkunen, Eklund and Torph, the Celica GT TS scores 13 podium finishes from 16 rallies, including six victories.