Toyota Car Club of Australia History - 50 Years

📜 The History of TCCA

The Founding Year (1975) 📅

The foundation of our club traces back to a landmark year, 1975. While globally, it marked the end of the Vietnam War and the first Cricket World Cup, in Australia, it was the year AC/DC let us know it was a long way to the shop if you wanted a sausage roll, the updated Toyota Celica was released, and local manufacturing was in full swing at the Australian Motor Industries (AMI) factory in Port Melbourne.

This passion for Toyota inspired the creation of two separate, yet equally enthusiastic, Melbourne-based clubs, founded just months apart:

• The Toyota Owners Club of Victoria

• The Celica Car Club of Victoria

Both clubs shared a core passion for the Toyota brand and the excitement of motorsport, setting the stage for decades of collaboration.

The Merger: Forming the TCCA (1992) 🤝

The two clubs operated independently for 17 years before making the strategic decision to merge in 1992. This union created the Toyota Car Club of Australia (Victoria), or TCCA, as we know it today.

From this point, the club experienced significant growth by focusing on inclusiveness and providing value to members, notably through the embrace of the Victorian Club Permit Scheme.

A Dedication to Motorsport 🏁

Motorsport remains at the core of the TCCA identity. We support our members in all levels of grassroots competition and run major events that bring the community together:

• Key Events We Run:

  • Supersprint Series: TCCA, in conjunction with the Ford Four Car Club, runs major Supersprint events at tracks like Sandown over the King's Birthday and Cup Day holidays.

  • Motorkhana: We are heavily involved in the flourishing Group 5 Motorkhana championship, with regular events held at our dedicated motorkhana ground, Gilman Reserve in Werribee.

• Member Achievements:

  • Our members have a long and successful history, achieving Championship wins in:

  • Victorian Motorkhana

  • Victorian Khanacross

  • Under 2 Litre Sports Sedan Championships

• Giving Back:

  • Beyond the wheel, TCCA members have given back to the sport, receiving accolades that include State and Australian Official of the Year and a prestigious Motorsport Australia Life Membership.

Community & Car Culture ☀️

TCCA has become a central pillar of the wider Australian Japanese car community, promoting an inclusive and welcoming environment for owners of Toyota, Lexus, and Daihatsu vehicles.

• Major Annual Shows:

  • Through forward-thinking and an emphasis on inclusiveness, TCCA successfully launched and runs two of Australia's premier Japanese car shows:

    • Classic Japan: Our car and bike show has been running successfully since 2011.

    • Sakura Picnic: An All Asian car show, established in 2016.

• Regular Social Meets:

  • Toyota Nationals (formerly Celica Nationals): A major annual highlight since 1976, held in Dubbo.

  • Cars, Coffee & Doughnuts: Monthly social events that have been a staple since 2010.

• Active Adventures:

  • We love to get out and enjoy our vehicles on the road less travelled! Our calendar includes a variety of hands-on activities:

    • Scenic Driving Tours: Regular club-organised Drive Days exploring Victoria's best roads and regional destinations.

    • Off-Road & Camping: Events specifically catering to 4x4 enthusiasts, with Off-Road Driving experiences and Camping trips that utilise the rugged capabilities of our members' vehicles.

• Partnerships with TMCA:

  • Our strong relationship with Toyota Motor Company of Australia (TMCA) has seen club members involved in significant corporate events, including:

    • Providing a large vehicle display for the end of manufacturing events at AMI and Altona.

    • Featuring members' vehicles in corporate ad campaigns, new model launches, and TV shows (including Underbelly and Hamish & Andy's True Stories).

    • Hosting our annual car show, Winterfest, at the Toyota Centre of Excellence in Altona.

The Next Milestone: 50 Years (2025) 🎉

In 2025, the Toyota Car Club of Australia celebrated 50 years since its initial inception in 1975.

While the club takes immense pride in its motorsport heritage and community events, the most important accomplishment is the bonds we create:

"Perhaps the most important aspect has been members coming together to support each other, enjoy their shared passion, and forge lifelong friendships."