This Japan netizen took a screenshot of a local news report showing what might be a flood damaged Toyota Celica GT-Four RC.
Typhoon Hagibis did a number on Japan, dropping over 35 inches of rain over a weekend, destroying and flooding buildings, and unfortunately claiming the lives of dozens. Among the collateral damage were flooded cars.
During a news broadcast recorded shortly after rescue and rebuilding efforts began, someone spotted the familiar green, white, and red Castrol livery on what might be an authentic 1991 Toyota Celica GT-Four RC.
Check out the tweet below and decide for yourselves if you think it’s the real deal.
According to Google Translate the caption reads, “I wonder if the car behind was sinking.” In other words, “Was that car behind him flooded?”
From what I can see there is significant mud coverage all over this car consistent with waters rising above the hood and perhaps over the entire car. It looks like the owner parked this car on fairly soft ground which probably didn’t help as the tires sunk into the ground.
The rear hatch is open presumably to air out any water damaged interior pieces.
As the photos of the flooded areas in Japan show, the waters rose well above waist height, covering several cars.
above waist height, covering several cars.
There are reports that a handful of Japan’s latest bullet trains got submerged, too.
With what we know I can fairly conclude this Celica saw significant flood damage rendering this car not roadworthy and headed for the junkyard.
Sure, several body parts can be salvaged, but other than that, it’s curtains for this JDM rally legend.
The GT-Four RC was a homologation special. 5,000 RC’s were made, 1,800 finding homes in Japan. These are easy to point out thanks to a different hood design meant to evacuate air out of the engine bay rather than direct it towards an intercooler.
The race ready versions of these RC’s won Toyota WRC manufacturer titles in ’93 and ’94, so you can imagine how collectible these RC’s are.
Pour one out for this RC. Maybe the owner will pour money into it, sort out the electrics, and restore it properly.
One can only hope.
