In the 1960s, Toyota had a very strong brand image in Japan. That image was as a builder of well-engineered, reliable, but ultimately boring cars. At that point in time, Yamaha was working on a sports car project in collaboration with Nissan, but Nissan chose not to proceed with that program. Yamaha then pitched the idea to Toyota. The manufacturer showed great interest in the concept, and thus, the 2000GT was born. For all of its hype and superb engineering, the 2000GT was never the sales success that Toyota was hoping for, but it did have quite an impact on the company’s public perception. Today, the 2000GT is the most highly-sought Japanese sports cars of all time, and they can fetch some pretty eye-watering prices. This particular 1967 model, 1-of-62 cars to make it onto US shores during the model’s entire production run, has been completely restored. It is now being offered for sale in a No Reserve auction. If you think that it falls within your budget, you will find it located in Elkhart, Indiana, and listed for sale here at RM Sotheby’s.
For me, this is the best angle from which to view the 2000GT. A ¾ rearview definitely shows the vehicle’s swooping lined to the best effect. It also shows why some motoring journalists of the era drew comparisons with the styling of the legendary Jaguar E-Type. The nose of the vehicle is a different matter. The enormous foglights set either side of the grille don’t look quite right, and when a restyle was undertaken in 1969, these were reduced in size, making for a far more attractive appearance. However, I personally believe that eliminating them altogether would have been a smarter move. For the 1967 model year, the 2000GT was only available in a total of four colors, and this one is finished in Solar Red. The paint and panels look as flawless as you would expect from a recently restored car, while the external trim and glass look just as good as the rest of the car. One of the interesting features of the vehicle is the magnesium wheel. Toyota was serious about reducing unsprung weight and improving handling, and this was one of the secrets to their success. The other was the fact that the body panels were constructed entirely of aluminum in a bid to also reduce overall vehicle weight. Toyota did not have the production experience or engineering skills to undertake this type of work, so the cars were constructed under contract by Yamaha.
While the production of the 2000GT was about bringing a styling leader to the market that would act as a halo car for the company, a lot of thought and engineering went into what was hidden under the skin. The engine is a perfect example. The engine block itself was sourced from the staid and sedate Toyota Crown sedan. Yamaha took this engine and developed a twin-cam cylinder head to boost performance. Bolted to the side of this was a bank of three Mikuni-Solex carburetors. While engine power wasn’t enormous, the 150hp that was produced by the 1,988cc six-cylinder engine could still push the vehicle along to a pretty respectable 135mph. This engine was the first DOHC to find its way under the hood of a vehicle manufactured by Toyota, making this a groundbreaking car for the manufacturer. In the final few months of vehicle production, Toyota made an automatic transmission available as an option. Otherwise, the only transmission available for owners was a 5-speed manual. That is what we find here, and this sends the power to a limited-slip rear end. Toyota was serious about the fact that while the 2000GT was never going to be the fastest car on the planet in a straight line, they would ensure that it handled and stopped exceptionally well. To this end, the car features independent double wishbone suspension on all four corners, along with 4-wheel disc brakes. The presentation under the hood is about as nice as you would expect for a freshly restored classic, but there is one thing that jars with me. I am surprised that a car that has the potential value of this one has been restored, and fitted with the incorrect carburetors. Those aren’t Mikuni-Solex items bolted to the side of the engine, but Webers. I’m not completely sure how hard the originals would be to source, but I really would be giving it a try if I bought the vehicle.
The interior of the 2000GT is a picture of both luxury and comfort. The seats are upholstered in perforated leather, while the dash and steering wheel wear beautifully polished Rosewood veneer. Of course, Yamaha had a significant amount of experience in producing polished timbers with the highest finish, calling on the branch of their business that produced musical instruments such as pianos to complete this work. There is a vast array of gauges to monitor the health of that wonderful little engine, while the car featured an AM radio as standard fitment. The restoration work inside the car is pretty impressive. The timber on the dash isn’t perfect, but it does appear to be original, and restoring a veneer finish of this age is always going to involve a certain amount of compromise in the quality of the finish. However, I don’t believe that this would have any significant impact on the Toyota’s value.
While the 2000GT didn’t sell in significant numbers, it did receive some pretty substantial exposure to the public. Sean Connery’s character of James Bond drove a 2000GT Convertible in the movie “You Only Live Twice.” Interestingly, the two cars that were eventually utilized in the film were actually custom-built. This modification proved to be essential, because being only slightly over 45″ in total height, the 2000GT didn’t offer a lot in the way of headroom. With Mr. Connery topping out at over 6′ tall, he simply couldn’t fit into the Toyota. Thus was born the Convertible, and if you slip across to this website, you will see that in this form, the car really was a thing of beauty. The two movie cars were modified in a frenzied two-week period, and Toyota never had any intention of putting the Convertible into production.
The Toyota 2000GT was engineering design and construction on a brave scale for a conservative company such as Toyota. It was also a sales failure, with only a total of 351 vehicles ever rolling out of the factory. One of the model’s biggest hurdles was its price. This was a car that emerged from a company renowned for producing pretty conservative passenger cars and a company with no history of ever producing anything remotely like the 2000GT. The brand simply didn’t have the brand cachet of Jaguar or Porsche but with a sale price in excess of $6,800, a 2000GT was costing potential buyers a staggering $1,000 more than a Jaguar E-Type or a Porsche 911. Even at that exorbitant price, Toyota apparently lost a significant amount of money on each car. After launching with so much promise in 1967, production ground to a halt in 1970. Toyota made the decision to concentrate its focus on the significantly cheaper and less complicated Celica, and the rest, as they say, is history. However, every cloud does have a silver lining, because anyone who purchased a new 2000GT and has kept it in good condition can reap the rewards of their initial purchase today. A decade ago, people were astounded when nice examples stared changing hands for $150,000. Today, you would need at least $1,200,000 to secure yourself a tidy example, while a really pristine car will potentially net its lucky owner a cool $1,500,000 at auction. That’s not a bad return on the initial investment, and it is why you need to have a pretty fat wallet if you want to own a 2000GT.
My all-time favorite car. Nice one, Adam!
The Toyota dealer in my hometown had a white one in their showroom. Quite a special car in it’s time and very beautiful as well.
In 1970, a HS friend of mine in Reno drove a white one to school (his dad was a well known Reno dentist)-I was smitten. It sounded as good as it looked, though like you Adam I could never understand the goofy looking fog lamps, though as big as they seem to be I’m sure they work well in places that have a need for them..
Had a Polaroid of me next to it somewhere but it seems to have gone missing unfortunately as it remains a favorite car!
I always thought the interiors on these were far more appealing than the exterior but to each their own. Nice example….but pricing is along the lines of the VW van craze IMO.
GLWTS.
It needs a big hood scoop and some rear window louvers. Maybe a pair of mags on the back (with air shocks of course).
Dang- thought for a minute I landed on Bring A Trailer Queen! But yes, beautiful car
This is a $500k-$1M car. I wonder if I could get 20 year financing on this?!
Probably fetch over $1M. Datsun Z cars were so much better styling than the 2000GT.
Agree on both counts!
In 1974 when I bought a brand new Toyota Corona wagon the dealer had a new one in their showroom “not for sale”. For years I would go visit the dealer and always not for sale. Might still be there. It was in the city of Waipahu Hawaii. On the island of Oahu. The dealer is Waipahu Toyota.
Love the car. 54 years old, can’t say I ever saw or heard of one. Love the old Jaguars so this is pretty sweet.
Great story. Not sure WHY it’s on Barnfinds? Just sayin.
Because it’s one of the most important cars ever made.
Japanese manufacturing in the 60s and 70s used to “ copy” other cars and bikes to learn and innovate. Soon after, they stepped out on their own to show us all.
To quote Marty McFly to an incredulous 1950s America … “ All the best stuff comes from Japan.”
This is a thing of beauty. And then you see that Reliant Scimitar… Screech! Smash!
A great example of rarity + beauty = $$$$!
Like a 7/8 scale E type with a richer interior. In person, from a standing position, the fog lamps aren’t quite as dominant as in photos, which typically seem to be taken from a squatting position. The roof is about elbow level. A gem.
There was a junkyard in NH where I would get parts for my Datsun Z Cars and whatever else, they had two of these in the mid 80’s
2 in he 80s? Can you provide proof?
I should have bought the White one I sat in at
the Toyota dealer in Concord,CA in 1975,for $5000.
Oh,wait,I didn’t have $5000…….
I was in Concord CA in 1975(born and raised in Pleasant Hill), too, but missed seeing that car!
This car looks like its 30 years ahead of its time, very cool. No wonder with innovation like this, the Japanese car companies ran off with the lead and still make the best cars, sorry to say. We gave it away.
Cheers
GPC
Sorry, but those price estimates are dated. Values have fallen back sharply; trading well under $1M.
What is the reason for the rectangular panels in front of the doors?
I believe one of them allowed access to the battery.
One battery and one for filter.
I know that’s a small 6, but with dual overhead cams, & 3 carburetors, i did not expect grandma’s 250 chevy strait 6 at the time with single tiny 1 barrel & ridiculous intake & exhaust manifolds to produce 5 more gross hp(155)! lol
& probably more max torque, at a much lower 1600 rpm!!
Why in the WORLD didn’t toyota modernize & offer THIS design again! Big mistake , IMO.
& what you see on that dash is ALL that should be on the dash of ANY new car today!
Great story , awesome car .
I saw one of these in a closed dealership in Utah in the early 1980’s. Yes, in person it looks amazing. I just realized how many pivotal moments in my life revolve around motor vehicles.
Now that Toyota is all grown up and has the done all right for itself with the car biz…now would be a good time to reinvent the 2000GT concept and produce modern version. Something GT like but not as costly and fragile but still expressing some of the voluptuousness and charisma of the original.
Or forget about that, make the next version of the Mazda Miata look something like to 2000gt.
Back around 1984 when I lived in San Francisco, I had a friend who owned a black one that he used not quite as a daily driver all over the city. I got the biggest kick from knowing someone who owned one but also with how cool he was with driving it in the city. He took good care of it. Probably still has it.
They do make one. It’s called the Toyota 86 and is a collaboration between Toyota and Subaru (sort of like the 2000GT is a collaboration between Toyota and Yamaha). RWD, 6 speed manual with a naturally aspirated 2.0 Subaru boxer motor. Only weighs 2700 lbs. with 205hp for the manual and 200hp for the auto. They actually took design cues from the 2000GT when they designed the 86.
Hey, not bad and I could live with it. In general I’m not a big fan of current car style and execution. Everything looks too gimmicky, thick, chunky and aggressive no matter what it is. I would prefer to see some recognition of the sensual and voluptuousness that the 2000GT possesses. And people in hell want ice water.
The 2000GT is special. It’s one of those rare cars that has charisma above and beyond its obvious charm. If you are lucky enough to see one in person you will notice this right away.
So I guess Nissan then went on their own and made the similar 240Z.
I wish I had the $$$$$$$$$ to buy this one. Love it.
“Sean Connery’s character of James Bond drove a 2000GT Convertible in the movie “You Only Live Twice.” ”
He never drives it, he only rides in it.
Chuck these in the pile with other cars I find massively overrated….its interesting, but I don’t think its worth the million that people usually pay for one.
Totally understand your thoughts on the price, but just look at the number of people on here that have said this is their favorite car. With only 351 made you can now imagine that there are a lot of people with serious money that think the same. So the price goes up…..a lot!
This….or a 60’s V12 Ferrari?
I’ll leave it at that….
Correct: Bond’s female Japanese agent counterpart drove the car.
Sean Connery was too tall to fit in the coupe’ 2000GT, so a roadster version was built just to film the movie. But even with infinite headroom, he was still too cramped in the cabin to drive the car, so the script was adjusted to give Bond a pretty chauffeur.
Yesssssss. One of my all time faves.
Lovely looking car. I’ve never seen one before. I’ve seen pics of the 2000GT, but I’ve never seen one in person.
There was one at the Peterson Auto Museum. Great looking in person. Small!
I wonder when Asian cars will be fully appreciated. Build quality and engineering seems to equal or exceed anything from Europe. I’ve worked on my fair share of BMW’s as well as many Japanese imports. I guess the quantity of Asian cars produced keeps prices (on most) down. This car is built like a Rolex, it’s a masterpiece.
One of the most iconic car designs of the 1960’s. Toyota’s vision of a home brewed Jaguar XKE FHC. Usually only ever see the white color ones showing up. This Solar Red example is absolutely gorgeous.
My uncle had one in San Fransisco. He allowed me to keep over a weekend when I returned from Vietnam.
Extremely good weekend
I always thought it was a cool looking car, but the closest I ever got to owning one was a slot car version .
Pure rarity Here! Interesting tid bit if of history…. When Carroll Shelby was done at Ford, toyota asked him to help set up/sort out a modified 2000gt for racing. Didn’t do so well and the program was scrapped.
I’ve seen 2 of these, both red, at the Concours on the Avenue in Carmel. I was always a fan, tho’ I wished it had a bigger engine. The car is lovely in person and a lot of design cues that are being questioned have less impact in person.
I also remember when they tried racing them.
I doubt the reserve on this one is less than a million.
Interesting that this car appears to actually be equipped with Weber carbs, not Mikuni-Solex, based on one of the pictures on the Sotheby’s site.
I saw two of them in person, very briefly. It was evening rush hour, and I was heading west out of Minneapolis into the Lake Minnetonka area. It’s wooded with curvey roads, so visibility is limited. Suddenly two white 2000GTs came at me out of the next curve, rat-racing nose to tail, and blew past me going the other way. I was driving my Lotus and wanted to take chase, but by the time a hole opened in rush hour traffic large enough for a U-turn, they were long gone. But it was cool for a couple of seconds.