When the first-generation Toyota Celica debuted in 1970, it was launched on the North American market as a more affordable and probably more agile alternative to the Ford Mustang. The Japanese sports coupe arguably had a more modern appearance, more efficient powertrains, and a more advanced suspension setup. Codenamed TA22, the original Celica was sold in the United States in three different trim levels - LT, ST, and GT.
When deliveries in the US started in 1971, the Toyota Celica was available with a 1.9-liter engine, later replaced by a 2.0-liter unit for the 1972-1974 model years. In 1975, a new and more powerful 2.2-liter engine was introduced with an available five-speed manual gearbox. Starting from 1973, a four-speed automatic transmission was also launched in the country.
