- A UK owner has created a unique Toyota MR2 roadster with a Celica front-end transplant.
- While both sportscars are from the same era, they have very different characters and layouts.
- This Toyota mashup from the ’00s suffers from fitment issues, including wide panel gaps.
Back in the 2000s, Toyota enthusiasts could choose between two distinct sportscars: the front-engined Celica and the mid-engined MR2. But one UK owner decided to merge these two into a single, brain-bending creation.
This unique roadster sports the entire front clip from a seventh-generation Toyota Celica, including the bumper, hood, fenders, and a set of aftermarket headlights. The rest of the bodywork, along with the interior and (presumably) the underpinnings, comes from the third-gen Toyota MR2 donor vehicle.
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The Celica (1999-2006) and the MR2 (2000-2007) were in production at the same time, so there is some correlation in their styling language. Another common feature between the two models is the 1.8-liter VVTi engine, that produced 138 hp (103 kW / 140 PS) and 171 Nm (126 lb-ft) in stock form. However, the similarities end there, as their layouts are drastically different.
The Celica is a front-engined, front-wheel-drive 2+2 liftback coupe, while the MR2 is a mid-engined, rear-wheel-drive two-seater roadster. These distinctions result in different proportions and driving dynamics, defining the unique market positioning of these affordable sportscars.
Photos: Ashley Payne
The Celica’s longer hood and extended front overhang look awkward on the smaller MR2 body, with the grille and hood scoop serving no functional purpose on a mid-engined vehicle. Additionally, the Celica is 40 mm (1.6 inches) wider than the MR2, making it difficult to align the fenders with the doors. Overall, the fitment in this mashup is far from perfect, with large panel gaps and misaligned components giving it the appearance of a post-fender-bender repair job.
More: Next-Gen Toyota MR2 Could Launch In 2026 With Sleek Looks And GR Power
This unique build was spotted by driving instructor Ashley Payne in Paignton, England. Payne shared the photos in a Facebook group, where the implementation of this wild idea garnered mostly negative feedback.
While we don’t have the full background, it’s possible this build was based on damaged vehicles. This would make more sense than chopping up a perfectly good example of the roadster for the Celica face transplant, creating a rather unique, but also kind of unsettling image. Interestingly, this is not the first mid-engined roadster with Celica features, as this title belongs to another crazy build from the UK.
If this story has you feeling nostalgic for the ’00s era of Toyota sportscars, you’re not alone. Rumors suggest new generations of both the Celica and MR2 are in the works, with input from Toyota Gazoo Racing. We could see a revival of this sibling rivalry in the latter half of the decade.
H/T to Ashley Payne for the photos
