If you've been paying attention for the past year or so, ou know that Japanese cars are finding new homes with collectors. Early Z-cars, he Toyota 2000GT, nd the Honda S600 are all seeing a resurgence in interest as the guys who enjoyed them as kids now have a chance to buy back their childhood. And this 1978 Toyota Celica is no exception, spectacular 17,704 original mile car that offers wonderful driving dynamics and a handsome look that will bring back memories.And that's really what this hobby is all about: memories. Many of you probably remember cars like this being ubiquitous on US roads, ut when was the last time you saw one? Wait, cratch that. When was the last time you saw one that wasn't rusted to oblivion? This one has been recently repainted, ince the original '70s gold paint color wasn't exactly setting the world on fire, nd we have to agree that the bright yellow finish suits the sporty Celica just fine. The bodywork is shockingly straight and clean and thanks to the low mileage, ll the totally unobtainable parts are still in place and in excellent condition. Build quality is typical Toyota with nice gaps and neat trim and this car doesn't look almost 40 years old, oes it? The styling has really held up well! The big black rubber bumpers don't look as awkward on this car as on so many of its contemporaries (I'm looking at you Mercedes 450SL) and the rear window slats are a performance look that practically defined the 1970s. Yeah, t's safe to say that we dig this car.The tan bucket seat interior is totally original, hich, iven the mileage, houldn't be surprising to anyone. What is surprising is how modern it feels from behind the wheel, ith supportive seats, great driving position, nd a slick-shifting 5-speed manual gearbox. The carpets are a little dirty and the horn button is missing, ut the list of faults in this car is notably short. We love the little metal cages on the vents, he bright, risp instruments that look suspiciously like those in a 1970 Camaro, nd the very 1970s compartmentalization of all the controls like the set of some sci-fi show. The back seat is well-contoured for two and really uncomfortable for three and under the hatch there's a huge storage area that offers nice carpets and a tie-down strap for your cargo.The 1600 cc inline-four isn't going to win many drag races, ut it feels energetic and eager, oving the lightweight Celica with ease. Typical of Toyota, t's really packed in there, ut thanks to its bulletproof reliability and low mileage, ou won't need to spend a ton of time under here. It's quite stock, rom the air cleaner assembly to the hose clamps to the decals in their proper places and its low mileage status is apparent everywhere you look. The 5-speed is a slick shifter and yes, his Celica is rear-wheel drive, aking it a very entertaining handler on twisty roads. It's quite clean underneath with no issues and plenty of originality and the single exhaust system gives it just the right 4-cylinder buzz to match its look. Fresh Minilite-style wheels have been fitted, nd they're exactly the right choice, specially with modern 14-inch Goodyear radials wrapped around them.Go ahead, ry to find a nicer one. And don't laugh, ecause Japanese cars are the next big thing. No, his one won't make you rich overnight, ut we'll wager that there will always be a line of guys eagerly waiting to own this Celica. Call today!