This is the reason I haven't been very active over the past few months. I've been working my tail off to pursue this goal. Yes, it's just a car... but a car that I have both jumped back into a very stressful job and thrown away a relationship for. I have wanted to pursue this dream for almost a decade now, and it's just about to come to fruition.

This is a 1988 Toyota Celica GT-Four, otherwise known as the Turbo 4WD in some countries and the All-Trac Turbo here in the US. This is the first turbocharged, AWD Japanese car to see use in world rally competition. This particular model won 13 WRC victories and won Carlos Sanz the WRC title in 1990; paving the way for other manufacturers such as Subaru and Mitsubishi to compete in one of the world's most grueling motorsport categories.

Only about 10,000 of these cars were made between 1986 and 1989; about a quarter of these were imported to the US. Relatively few are still left; many claimed to the elements and poor maintenance of owners who didn't understand the sophisticated turbocharged engine and AWD system needed more attention than the average Toyota 'weld the hood shut and drive it for life' treatment. Others were hooned into trees and ditches by kids who wanted a cheap alternative to the WRXs and Lancer Evos that tore apart the rally circuits more recently. As a result it is nearly impossible to find an original '86-'89 GT-Four in decent shape. I owned one for a period of time when I was much younger; it was sold to a friend who blew the engine six months later. That car unfortunately sits in the parking lot of a performance shop, gathering dust and sun damage. I was surprised to find the interior very much in the good condition I left it in. While I would love to have that one back, the one I'm buying is a more practical choice.

This car is one of the survivors. At only just under 33,000 miles, this car has barely been used. It is fitted with an uprated suspension package(since discontinued and impossible to obtain) that I wanted to put on my old car. I have sacrificed much to save up the money and time required to purchase this beast, and I finally am in the position to bring it home.

I will be flying out to buy the car early next month. I already have arrangements with a shipping company to pick it up and bring it home; it does have a few minor problems that I wouldn't feel comfortable driving it home(that and I can't take that much time off work). A trip to my preferred shop and a little time under the wrench should get it back into fighting trim. It isn't perfect, but I doubt I'll find a better example of this classic rally machine anytime soon.