As far as old vs. new combinations go, a punchy 2JZ and a 1975 Celica make an exceptionally alluring marriage. Those simple, rounded lines and diminutive body house the monstrous motor well, giving off the feel of a classic American muscle car. With plenty of rake, huge slicks popping out of the fender wells and a sizeable rear end hanging from underneath the Celica’s bodywork, the amalgamation suggests something along the lines of a Nova or a Camaro. However, the six-cylinder shriek and a whistling turbocharger replacing the familiar burble of an American, pushrod V8 make an interesting contrast, which is also reflected in some of the add-ons chosen to accentuate the classic lines of this car.

Keeping with the period-correct styling is a set of fender-mounted mirrors. Because they are totally impractical, these vintage accessories are so cool to see. They suggest a simpler era when one had enough time in the day to casually stop their car, walk around and tweak their mirrors for the needed ten minutes until they were correctly aligned.

That tasteful mixture of classic and contemporary is further expressed through a simple, yet modern set of Volk TE37s finished in an understated bronze. These wheels have come to define modern tuning culture in so many guises, and while they don’t exactly distract the observer from the Celica’s organic, flowing lines with their angular shape, they do suggest that this car has had a bit of young lifeblood injected into its veins. However pretty this machine may be, however, it’s ultimately a drag racer.

All 1,000 horsepower through a six-speed manual is going to put plenty of stress on the lugnuts.

With a massive 8285 turbocharger shoehorned into the compact engine bay, the matte-black 2JZ looks space age. Throw in some aftermarket rods and pistons, and that powerplant is estimated to make 1,000 ponies, which push a car weighing only ~2,000 pounds. The Celica, when it finds traction in the right gears, makes mincemeat of some exotic adversaries. Stylish, simple and very speedy, this Celica puts on a show for both the racers and the classic car aficionados, especially when it begins to shed parts under the stress.