Toyota Celica GT-Four RC ST185
Import a Toyota Celica GT-Four RC (ST185) from Japan, found at auction, scanned before it ships, and delivered with a report anyone can verify.
- Built in Japan
- 1991–1993
- Engine
- 3S-GTE 2.0 L turbo four, all-wheel drive
About the ST185
The Celica GT-Four RC was announced in September 1991 as a Group A homologation car; 5,000 were built and 1,800 sold in Japan. Production of this generation ended in September 1993. It uses the 3S-GTE 2.0 L turbo four with all-wheel drive; sources list both 225 PS and 235 PS for this generation.
It is Toyota’s rally icon from the World Rally Championship era, and the RC is the homologation version collectors want.
The ST185 carried Toyota to its peak in the World Rally Championship. Carlos Sainz won the 1992 drivers’ title in one, followed by Juha Kankkunen in 1993 and Didier Auriol in 1994. It also won the Safari Rally for a fourth straight time in 1995. Of the 5,000 RCs, 3,000 went to Europe as the Carlos Sainz Limited Edition, 150 to Australia as the Group A Rallye and 25 to Singapore.
- Power
- 235 PS at 6,000 rpm
- Torque
- 31.0 kgm (304 Nm) at 4,000 rpm
- Weight
- 1,460 kg
- Gearbox
- 5-speed manual
- Drive
- Full-time all-wheel drive
- Built
- 5,000 (1,800 for Japan)
Can an ST185 come in?
Both countries count from the month on the build plate, so a car can become eligible part-way through a year. We check the plate on every car.
Quebec registers right-hand-drive cars only at 25 years. Every other province follows the federal 15-year rule.
US sourcing is planned for 2027, once a customs broker confirms the duty rate on Japanese classics. Enquiries are welcome now.
Which cars roll in next? See the 2027 US calendar and the 2027 Canada calendar.
What to look at on an ST185
The model-specific weak points we look for in the auction sheet, the photos and the scan.
Drivetrain
Worth checking the transfer case and viscous coupling.
Gearbox
Worth checking the clutch and the E150F gearbox.
Rust
Worth checking the rear arches and strut tops.
Turbo
Worth checking the ceramic CT26 turbo for smoke and shaft play.
Intercooler
Worth checking the water-to-air intercooler system for leaks.
What we check on every ST185
The auction sheet, in full
Every line of the original Japanese sheet translated: repair marks, rust notes, interior score.
The build plate
The month of manufacture decides eligibility, so we read it off the car, not the registration.
Mileage against the records
Dash and ECU against the auction sheet and Japan's inspection history.
Flood and accident history
Checked before export, while a claim is still possible.
A full diagnostic scan
Every module read inside the auction's 5-day claim window, so a hidden fault goes back to the seller.
Underneath
Chassis rails, floors and suspension, where snow-country salt does its damage.
What landing one costs: see the worked examples; an enquiry gets you the figure for this car. New to auction sheets? Read how to read one.
What an ST185 costs
Published figures with their source and date. Prices move with condition, mileage and grade; an enquiry gets auction results for the car you want.
| What | Price | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 GT-Four RC, 109,000 km, Japan dealer asking price (marked sold) Car-ByeBuy, Aug 2026 | ¥5.2 million | Car-ByeBuy , Aug 2026 |
| 1989–1993 Celica, all grades (3 listed), average asking price Carsensor, Oct 2026 | about ¥3.54 million (range ¥2.9–4.2 million) | Carsensor , Oct 2026 |
Figures as published by each source; not offers from us. Landed cost in Canada adds shipping, duty, GST/HST and provincial fees.
ST185 buyer questions
Is the GT-Four RC eligible for import?
Yes. The RC was built from 1991 to 1993, so every car is more than 25 years old and clears the US rule, and all of them clear Canada’s 15-year rule.
How is the RC different from a normal GT-Four?
The RC was the Group A homologation car. Toyota’s catalogue rates it at 235 PS at 6,000 rpm, against 165 kW (about 224 PS) for the regular Japanese GT-Four. Wikipedia notes the RC used the E151F gearbox. Check the grade on the plate, as regular cars are sometimes dressed up.
Can I get parts in North America?
Some. The ST185 GT-Four was sold in the US as the All-Trac Turbo, so many engine and drivetrain parts are shared. RC-specific parts are scarce, so buy a complete, original car where you can.
Want an ST185?
Tell us the grade, colour and budget. We reply with eligibility for your province or state and what these are fetching in Japan now, and contact you when sourcing opens.