InsolentMinx's Storm Blue '03 Celica T-Sport

[InsolentMinx]

After a discussion about selling up, I thought I'd make a mod thread as the car seems to have received a few compliments along the way.

I originally had the 140 Celica but sold that on after wanting more power and picked up a pretty good example of a Storm Blue T-Sport. It looks black but there's a nice blue flake which looks fantastic in the sun.

She's got quite a few mods most of which I've added myself. Performance is pretty untouched, but the handling mods really make the car feel planted.
The car was voted as Celica Club UK's Best Gen 7 2012.

Performance:
Blitz LM air induction kit
Longlife Cat-back backbox

Suspension:
Front strutbrace
Full poly bush suspension kit
Eibach 30mm lowering springs

Wheels & Brakes:
17" x 8J Momo Strike wheels powdercoated anthracite
Wilwood Dynalite big brake kit

Exterior:
urethane replica C-One front lip
custom mesh inserts
colourcoded front badge
fibreglass replica Celica Sports-M bonnet scoop
authentic urethane Kaminari sideskirts
fibreglass replica Veilside rear bumper
custom rear foglight
fibreglass replica rashboy lip spoiler
Tegiwa rear towhook
Rear quarter window tints
headlight inserts painted black
LED sidelights
Light tinted side repeaters
Light tinted rear foglight
Rainvisors over front windows
Blue rear infill sticker

Interior:
Toyota Celica GT alcantra seats
Custom designed speedo fascia
Footwell lighting
Doorcard pocket lighting
LED illuminating ring under gearknob
A/C illumination changed to blue
Aftermarket weighted gearknob
Short-shifter kit
JVC AVX-810 touchscreen headunit
Aluminium accent rings around airvents and speedo dials
Carbon fibre skinned engine covers

[RobCrezz]

Looks nice without being over the top.

[Lee540]

Looks cool..

I was on CCUK before I got my Audi

[InsolentMinx]

cheers it's more subtle compared to the usual big GT spoilers that are getting common on CCUK.

What Audi did you move to? I've always loved the look of the A4 and A5

[Disco You]

Do you have any pictures of the interior?

[P I Staker]

Looks cool

Only thing for me is I don't think the wheels suit the body kit.

[5harp3y]

P I Staker said:

Looks cool

Only thing for me is I don't think the wheels suit the body kit.

This.

It's a bit under-wheeled

[InsolentMinx]

what do you mean by 'underwheeled'? hahaha

I love 5 spokes and fell in love with the Momo's. There were 'anthracite with a polished lip', but the lip didn't take too well to last winter so I decided to go for a solid colour.

erm, interior, good point, I don't really have many/any pics of the interior. Well, not decent ones anyway... I really should take some.

[P I Staker]

InsolentMinx said:

what do you mean by 'underwheeled'? hahaha

I love 5 spokes and fell in love with the Momo's. There were 'anthracite with a polished lip', but the lip didn't take too well to last winter so I decided to go for a solid colour.

The wheels aren't 'enough' for the car, they would look good with a standard body but they don't quite work with your body kit. Of course that doesn't matter if you like them.

[juan king]

P I Staker said:

The wheels aren't 'enough' for the car, they would look good with a standard body but they don't quite work with your body kit. Of course that doesn't matter if you like them.

Yeah, this is how to do it!

[P I Staker]

Not quite.

[ALfooy]

I like it man, always been a fan of the gen 7 Celica, shame they never made a really hot version, a GT4 would have been great, Toyota no longer in the WRC obviously scupperd that.

[lewisf182]

agree with the above, don't think the alloys suite the body kit. Think a pair of deep dish style alloys would suit the look much better! Modding like this really doesn't appeal to me. its too early 2000 need for speed/ fast n furious, but hey, each to their own and if you like it thats all that matters! always liked the look of the celicas and am tempted to get one in the future so good to know a few handling mods can do wonders.

[GokTweed]

juan king said:

P I Staker said:

The wheels aren't 'enough' for the car, they would look good with a standard body but they don't quite work with your body kit. Of course that doesn't matter if you like them.

Yeah, this is how to do it!

That just looks like a fat bird's sat in it

[InsolentMinx]

haha yeah, I fell in love with the Momos and haven't really been swayed by any other style I like that doesn't cost a small fortune
I think they're subtle but not typically 'Jap' so I know some don't like them.

I see what you mean about body mods, but I think it's very hard to find a car that actually looks good in it's stock form. The Celica is quite a sporty looking number, but with a few subtle additions it transforms it. ... Sadly of course it doesn't go as fast as it looks, but I did try to stay away from the typical Boy Racer/Barry Boys/Fast Furious exaggerated bodykits.

The 190 is a great car to drive and it does handle very well for a FF car. Rearwheel drive would obviously be better though

They big handling mods most seem to go for are a front and rear strutbrace, and lowering. Coilovers preferred, but a 35mm drop does wonders. Switching to full poly bushes really makes a difference too, but is a bit fiddly to do on your won. A shortshifter is great too!

[wilbo83]

Love that rear end pic. I do miss my T sport, this was mine

[InsolentMinx]

I remember yours on CCUK Wilbo

Can't fault a Storm Blue T-Sport