Car Model History

First generation · Celica Supra (A40/A50) · 1979–1981

1979Toyota Supra

Launched as a longer, six-cylinder version of the Celica — the 'Celica Supra' — pairing the Celica's body with an inline-six and a stretched nose.

First generation · Celica Supra (A40/A50)

1979 Toyota Celica Supra, first generation — coupe, front three-quarter view

Photo: “1979 Toyota Celica Supra Mk I Coupe (23155184553)” by Sicnag / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 2.0. Cropped to 16:9.

Start here

What do you need to know?

This page covers the whole 1979 Toyota Supra model year. Choose your task first; exact trims and engines are separated where the factory offered different versions.

Complete, source-verified lineup

Find your exact 1979 Supra

Start with a family, body style, or engine. Every card opens the facts and maintenance information for that factory version.

2factory configurations
Verified complete for the U.S.-marketHow this lineup was verified

We checked this U.S.-market lineup against period sources for factory trim, engine, transmission, and cited special-edition combinations represented by the exact-year records. Every version shown below has its own detail page.

Verified 2026-09-01 from Toyota USA Newsroom — Supra: An Icon a Half-Century in the Making.

2versions shown
Three-door liftback

Celica Supra 5-Speed Manual

Body
Three-door liftback
Engine
2.6L 4M-E SOHC fuel-injected inline-six (110 hp)
Gearbox
5-speed manual overdrive
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Three-door liftback

Celica Supra Automatic

Body
Three-door liftback
Engine
2.6L 4M-E SOHC fuel-injected inline-six (110 hp)
Gearbox
4-speed automatic overdrive
Built
Regular production
Open exact version

The 1979 model year

Overview

The Supra story began for 1979 with the first Celica Supra — a longer-nosed, six-cylinder version of Toyota's Celica. By stretching the Celica to accommodate an inline-six, Toyota created a grand-touring companion to the four-cylinder Celica that would, three generations later, become a standalone performance icon.

Specifications

Body styles
Liftback coupe

Year over year

What changed

  • First model year of the Celica Supra in the US.
  • Inline-six engine in a stretched Celica body — the formula that defined the nameplate.

Worth knowing

Notable

  • The origin of the Supra nameplate, still badged 'Celica Supra' at this point.

Living with it

Reliability & ownership notes

  • A late-1970s Japanese GT; rust and originality of trim are the chief concerns on survivors.

Maintenance & service parts

Keep your 1979 Supra on the road

Start with the service interval, then match the engine or exact version you own. Order links appear only when a catalog-backed part number is available, and every listing still needs a fitment check.

Service desk

What this car needs & when

Use this as a service-planning checklist for 1979 Toyota Supra. Start with the interval, confirm which engine or configuration you have, then use an exact ordering reference when one is verified.

Service topics
2
Factory intervals
0
Fitment-scoped
2
Exact references
2

Before orderingIdentify your engine, options and build date.Part numbers and sizes can change within one model year. Shopping links appear only for catalog-backed references; still verify the listing against your vehicle before ordering.

  • Engine oil filter — catalog fitment

    Exact reference available

    Baldwin B233

    This manufacturer application record establishes replacement-filter fitment only; it does not establish an oil-change interval or a complete maintenance schedule.

    Applies to: 1979 · 4M-E 2.6L · United States · The catalog's 1979 Celica 2563cc (2.6L) fuel-injected VIN M row is the six-cylinder Celica Supra application. Confirm the installed engine and filter dimensions before ordering.

    Source: Baldwin Filters — Automotive Applications catalog · Printed catalog page 744, 1979 Toyota Celica 2563cc (2.6L) FI (VIN M) row — Lube — B233 · checked

    Verified ordering references

    • Validated equivalentBaldwin B233

      Qty. 1 · Engine lubricating-oil filter · catalog-listed

      Baldwin's application table lists B233 for the 1979 six-cylinder Celica application. Confirm the car is a 4M-E 2.6L Celica Supra and verify dimensions before ordering.

      Catalog: Baldwin Filters — Automotive Applications catalog · Printed catalog page 744, 1979 Toyota Celica 2563cc (2.6L) FI (VIN M) row — Lube — B233 · checked

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  • Fuel filter — catalog fitment

    Exact reference available

    Baldwin BF1140

    This manufacturer application record establishes replacement-filter fitment only; it does not establish a replacement interval or a complete maintenance schedule.

    Applies to: 1979 · 4M-E 2.6L · United States · The catalog's 1979 Celica 2563cc (2.6L) fuel-injected VIN M row is the six-cylinder Celica Supra application. Confirm the installed engine and filter dimensions before ordering.

    Source: Baldwin Filters — Automotive Applications catalog · Printed catalog page 744, 1979 Toyota Celica 2563cc (2.6L) FI (VIN M) row — Fuel — BF1140 · checked

    Verified ordering references

    • Validated equivalentBaldwin BF1140

      Qty. 1 · Fuel filter · catalog-listed

      Baldwin's application table lists BF1140 for the 1979 six-cylinder Celica application. Confirm the car is a 4M-E 2.6L Celica Supra and verify dimensions before ordering.

      Catalog: Baldwin Filters — Automotive Applications catalog · Printed catalog page 744, 1979 Toyota Celica 2563cc (2.6L) FI (VIN M) row — Fuel — BF1140 · checked

      Search this part on Amazon

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Sources

  1. Wikipedia — "Toyota Supra"

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