Nicola Robynson - 1999 Toyota Celica GT Convertible

The story starts with an Irish single mother and child—if you couldn’t afford it, you didn’t have it or fixed it. Years later, that child, now an adult, loved nice cars but had to settle for fixing up cheaper ones.

In 2011, Nicola bought a Generation 6 Celica convertible with her savings and used it daily. While caring for her mother with dementia, who passed in 2012, she had to sell it to cover costs.

After settling her mother’s estate, Nicola swore if she could, she’d buy another. In December 2014, she did—a sad, barn-stored silver ‘99 convertible with 57,000 miles, mouse droppings in the engine bay, a cracked fog light, a scratched windscreen, and worn leather seats. Nicola paid £1,250 and £50 for a train fare from Bristol to Norwich, driving home roof-down, overjoyed.

“Once home, I discovered it had its original tonneau cover, service book, and toolkit,” adds Nicola. “I began restoring it, upgrading brakes, wheels, stereo, and collecting rare dealer options—Tom’s front lip, Kouki headlights, chrome sills, JDM flare, and more. After a costly seat restoration, I showed it with CCUK until the rear window failed. Unexpectedly, a bidding war on a Raleigh Chopper shifter I sold helped fund a £900 roof replacement.”

In 2018, Nicola took it to Belgium and Reims, then disaster struck—a neighbour hit it. A perfectionist body shop turned it into a show car, leading to NEC invites and media features. Today, “Roxy Heart” remains a cherished ride, proving dreams—no matter how delayed—can come true.