In 2000, the seventh-gen Toyota Celica hit the road, showcasing a bold design for the time. For 14-year-old Alessio Arena in Italy, it sparked an enduring passion for cars, particularly this model.
Upon turning 18, Alessio bought his first Celica. He started with the base 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 always felt a tiny bit letdown by its front-engine, front-wheel-drive layout. He imagined how good it could be if configured another 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 complete Ferrari 360 Modena drivetrain came up for sale online, Alessio knew what he had to do.
While ambitious, this wasn’t a high-budget, resource-rich endeavour; Alessio and his father completed all the work in 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 new 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 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 can be seen were made using a small lathe and then finished by hand.
The centrepiece of the Celica is undoubtedly the 400hp Ferrari V8, an engine far removed from its original design intentions. The 3.6L motor and its corresponding manual gearbox – still operated by the original Ferrari gated shifter – are suspended in 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 fully 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 a good effort, considering all glass windows except for 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 removed from the original example that ignited his interest in the model.
This is not just another cross-manufacturer repower thrown together with whatever off-the-shelf parts. It’s an entirely new vehicle, with nearly every component reimagined. Alessio’s wild Celica is a testament to what can be achieved in a home garage, fueled by passion and a helping hand from family.
Alec Pender
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