- A UK enthusiast has created a one-of-a-kind Toyota MR2 roadster with a front-end from a Celica.
- Though both sports cars are from the same era, they have wildly different characters and layouts.
- While the build has fitment issues, the owner remains optimistic about refining the final product.
Update 10/19: The vehicle’s owner reached out to Carscoops, revealing more details about his ongoing build. Ryan didn’t stop there—he also shared a new batch of photos, offering an even closer look at his custom creation.
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Back in the early 2000s, Toyota gave gearheads a solid lineup of sports cars to choose from: the front-wheel-drive Celica, the mid-engined MR2, and, if you were lucky enough to be in the right market, the hulking Supra. But for Ryan, a UK-based enthusiast from Paignton, that wasn’t quite enough. Instead of picking one, he thought, “Why not both?”—and went ahead and fused the Celica and MR2 into one brain-bending mashup.
Ryan’s project started with a 2000 Toyota MR2, imported and left abandoned after its original owner passed away. Tucked away and forgotten for years, the MR2 was little more than a relic when Ryan decided to breathe life back into it. But rather than a straightforward restoration, he had a more unconventional idea in mind. The end result? A roadster that’s part MR2, part Celica, and entirely baffling.
More: Toyota Celica Rumored To Return With Turbo 2.0-Liter Engine And AWD
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After the MR2 was brought back to life, Ryan salvaged the front clip from a seventh-gen Toyota Celica that was destined for the scrapyard. The bumper, hood, and fenders were saved, and he added a set of aftermarket headlights to complete the conversion. Whether “saved” is the right word is debatable; the Celica’s best days were clearly behind it, but Ryan saw potential in giving its parts a second chance.
The rest of the MR2’s body remains largely stock, aside from a WRX-sourced rear spoiler. Inside, the cabin has been stripped to the essentials, aiming for a street-legal track car setup.
Photos: Ryan
The build began in June 2024, and, predictably, it’s still unfinished. Ryan says that having limited funds and no access to a garage means that the process is slow. He also admits he is new to fiberglass fabrication, which explains the misalignment issues.
Overall, the implementation of this wild idea is far from perfect, with large panel gaps and misaligned components giving it the appearance of a post-fender-bender repair job. The worst part is probably the gap between the hood and the front bumper, but Ryan is working on new mounting points that will likely fix it.
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More: Next-Gen Toyota MR2 Could Launch In 2026 With Sleek Looks And GR Power
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 fundamentally 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: Toyota
The Celica’s longer front overhang doesn’t quite sit right on the smaller MR2, making the front end look awkward, especially since elements like the hood scoop serve no real function on a mid-engined car. The fact that the Celica is also 40 mm wider than the MR2 only adds to the difficulties in aligning body panels, particularly where the fenders meet the doors.
The unique roadster came to our attention after being spotted by driving instructor Ashley Payne, who shared the photos in a Facebook group. 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. There are rumors that both the Celica and MR2 could be making a comeback, 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 (spotter) and Ryan (builder / owner)