Solido 1094 Toyota Celica 1600cc Coupe - Rally Acropolis '78 - Team Toyota Motors

Click on any photo to see a larger version




This model is the Solido 1094 Toyota Celica 1600cc Coupe in white in the livery of Team Toyota Motors (Rally Acroplis 1978). Driven by Evangelos Gallo and Andrea Arkentis, the Group 2 car took 8th place.

This model represents a rally version of the Toyota Celica 2 door coupe and as such is adorned with various rally stickers and logos on the sides, doors, and bonnet. This model came with additional rally transfers (sponsors and drivers, etc.) for adding to the model.

The model has no opening parts. It has black front and rear bumpers and grill with chromed rally lights below the bumper.

The interior is a black plastic with a left hand drive black plastic steering wheel and rally safety frame. The glazing is clear with molded wipers and interior rear vision mirror at the front and rear demister on the back, and the driver's window is "lowered" to the half open position.

All wheels have simulated chrome hubs - solid, one piece plastic with black "rubber" tyres.

The base plate is black plastic and is marked with "Toyota Celica" at the centre top and "SOLIDO Made in France" at the centre bottom followed by " No.1094 1/43 03-80" just behind the rear axle. The base plate casting also has simulated drive shaft and exhaust system. It is probably held in place by the front and rear bumpers through a mechanism that sees the bumpers clip into the base plate thus holding the model together as there is no evidence of screws or rivets.

This model was issued around 1980. I've always assumed Solido's practice of having numbers on the base plate related to the month and year the model was either released or designed.

Item: 1032