In 2000, the seventh-gen Toyota Celica hit the road, showcasing a daring design for the time. For 14-year-old Alessio Arena in Italy, it sparked a permanent passion for cars, particularly this model.
Upon turning 18, Alessio bought his first Celica. He began with the bottom 1ZZ-FE VVT-i (143hp) version but later upgraded to the 2ZZ-GE VVTL-i T Sport (192hp), which he still treasures today. Despite his love for the Celica, Alessio all the time felt a tiny bit letdown by its front-engine, front-wheel-drive layout. He imagined how good it could possibly be if configured one other way.
Fast-forward to 2015, when a friend offered Alessio a bare seventh-gen Celica body shell. It was begging to be transformed into something special, and when a whole Ferrari 360 Modena drivetrain got here up on the market online, Alessio knew what he needed to do.
While ambitious, this wasn’t a high-budget, resource-rich endeavour; Alessio and his father accomplished all of the work within the family’s modest home garage under the name Arena Prototipi da Corsa.
To create a Ferrari-mid-engined, rear-wheel drive Toyota Celica, the body was reduced to an outer shell and rebuilt with a custom chrome-molybdenum tube frame. The front end was redesigned, with a custom aluminium frame supporting the bumper, headlights, radiator, and air intake.
Crowning this latest structure is an array of carbon fibre components. While the hood, tailgate, spoiler, and seats were sourced from the aftermarket, many carbon parts were meticulously handcrafted by Alessio and his dad.
The brand new suspension is built around a custom pushrod system featuring Öhlins TTX shock absorbers and adjustable blade-style anti-roll bars. All gold pieces that may be seen were made using a small lathe after which finished by hand.
The centrepiece of the Celica is undoubtedly the 400hp Ferrari V8, an engine far faraway from its original design intentions. The three.6L motor and its corresponding manual gearbox – still operated by the unique Ferrari gated shifter – are suspended within the tube chassis with custom-made mounts and brackets. Streamlining the installation, the water pump and power steering were converted to electric, and an aluminium fuel tank was strategically placed behind the front axle for optimal weight distribution. A MaxxECU engine management system wired in with a custom loom gives the firing orders.
The Celica rides on Italian-made 18-inch NTM wheels wrapped in Hankook full slicks. Behind the wheels, Ferrari 360 hubs hold Ferrari brakes, managed by a completely custom pedal box and brake biasing system.
With a full tank of fuel and Alessio on board, the Ferrari-powered Toyota weighs 1,100kg (2,425lb). That’s effort, considering all glass windows aside from the polycarbonate windscreen have been retained.
After three thousand hours of relentless work, Alessio unveiled a tyre-melting, rear-engined, rear-wheel-drive Celica that’s about as far faraway from the unique example that ignited his interest within the model.
This is just not just one other cross-manufacturer repower thrown along with whatever off-the-shelf parts. It’s a wholly latest vehicle, with nearly every component reimagined. Alessio’s wild Celica is a testament to what may be achieved in a house garage, fueled by passion and a helping hand from family.
Alec Pender
Instagram: noplansco
This Article First Appeared At www.speedhunters.com
