Festooned with ducts, bug-eyed and rusty, dented and sans powertrain, this rare Japanese sports car awaits an optimistic new owner with a budget and a vision. The 1966 Toyota Sports 800 in Meridian, Mississippi occupied a barn for 25 years. Now it sits outside hoping to snag a new lease on life here on eBay. The original engine and transmission have flown the coop as did a subsequent Mazda rotary powertrain. As we go to press the auction awaits a $5000 opening bid. Perfect examples can bring $70,000 or more, but unless you’ve got the correct flat-twin engine, transmission, and other impossible-to-find parts in your shed, this one is unlikely to approach that number. Thanks to reader Chuck F. for spotting this barn find turned yard find.
Ideally we’d find a 790cc flat-twin engine filling this void. The 44 HP motorcycle-style engine propelled the spritely 1300 lb targa coupe to nearly 100 MPH. A four-speed manual transmission sent power to the rear wheels. Automobile called the Sports 800 “…a hoot! Thanks to Hemmings for some details.
“Hello; Acme Auto Glass? I need a rear window for my 1966 Toyota Sports 800… Hello?” While the rare glass is “missing,” the targa top comes with the car, albeit with a large dent, according to the seller. Against all odds, considering Toyota built barely more than 3000 Sports 800s, jdm-car-parts offers numerous parts for these cars. Need a ring and pinion set? No problem; that will be $1500. No doubt these wheels and tire size offers more grip than the original 6.00-12 units, a size normally utilized by small tractors today.
Though mostly stock, the dashboard may be missing a handsome polished gauge panel on the driver’s side. I’ve driven RHD and manual transmission in numerous countries; the mechanics of shifting with the left hand occur almost automatically. It’s the mental mantra of “Drive Right, Look Left” that requires thought. One inescapable handicap of driving a RHD car in America is your compromised site line when rounding tight right turns. Your ability to see a car backing out of a driveway on the right in that situation can trigger a jab of adrenaline that makes a brilliant substitute for caffeine.
The tow bar suggests this lightweight sports car may have done time nosing up the rear of a motor coach. What better for a tag-along than a half-ton Sports 800 that will never be restored? Few street-legal vehicles with four wheels register more lightly as rolling ballast. If the auction’s Reserve can be predicted by the opening bid, let’s hope this little Toyota sells soon and gets some much-needed attention. What engine would you choose to re-power this rare Japanese sports car?
Great one, Todd and Chuck F! This is a holy grail car for those of us who are into vintage Japanese vehicles and these cars rarely come up for sale. But wow, the amount of work needed here is much too daunting for me. It will be restored eventually.
Thanks Scotty – I’ve never driven a car anything like this. They were successfully raced. Sounds like a blast. Hopefully whoever gets this one puts it on the road. Otherwise it will vanish and be “found” again in a couple decades. :-(
Can’t you just go to your local Honda dealer for parts?
ummm, it’s a Toyota.
Gotta quit posting when I’m tired…..
Motorcycle engine might just be the ticket, tho.
Toyota spelt backwards is Honda….lol
I don’t think I’ve heard of these before so the opening bid seems a little high for one in such poor shape missing it’s engine and a lot of other parts. But I’m looking forward to hearing from other barn finds readers about their personal experiences with these.
They are obscenely rare and often mentioned in the same sentence as the 2000GT. It will be restored bolt by bolt – mark my words.
Not if the end result is only worth $70K. I saw one or two of these in a shop in San Diego near the Trek Bicycle Superstore I used to frequent along with Toyota 2000GTs and the like. Toyota makes the best cars now, but that doesn’t mean that spending modern rates on fabricating one of their 55 year old mini cars makes any sense.
Its a JDM big engine conversion waiting to happen for some one thats into tuner cars.
I am more into old US muscle but could easily get tempted for the right price jumping on this future rod.
I hope the outside stays close to stock look but know the drive train is getting tuned .
With no engine, trans, trim, plus loads of rust, why not go full custom. Tube chassis, V8, or Suzuki 4X4 chassis, or cut out the rest of the floor and put on a modded VW chassis with built air-cooled engine (that would be my pick).
Maybe I should put a different user name on this post. HAHA
I’ve actually driven one of these. A friend’s dad (a car nut) bought it for him as we both entered Cal State Northridge (CA) circa 1971. He painted it bright yellow in an effort to be seen on the 405 freeway. Driving it was a hoot… left turns required prayer.
I thought it would be ideal to put another air cooled two cylinder boxer engine in it, like a BMW motorcycle engine. The original drive line is derived from the Toyota Publica cars, and it’s not too difficult to find those engines as well, there are a few companies that import JDM engines.
For more cars check out facebook groups https://www.facebook.com/groups/sports800 and https://www.facebook.com/groups/yodahachi
I’m seeing an Alfa Zagota in the front end with the headlamp design, and the booty looks really good as well, I’d still worry about the missing glass tho, but surely somewhere in Japan there’s an old dealership with one hiding away, the next problem is trying to find that dealer & actually get it stateside.
This resto takes Jay Leno resources.
It’s really interesting and absolute deep pockets.
Photos and vids album here https://www.facebook.com/media/set?set=oa.766869270704545&type=3
Check out these Youtube vids https://www.youtube.com/results?sp=mAEB&search_query=Toyota+sport+800&fbclid=IwAR1pxbD_eQMTXsGdl1atHv7X4XYDSHzrJ-WaSmd5ZTae789RjUkQ480vtmI
We have two of these in showroom condition in the museum collection where I work. I’ve driven both of them. It is one of my favorites to drive of all the cars in the collection. It’s one of those cars where everything is in the right place. Someone mentioned the Toyota 2000. We call this the 2000’s little brother.
Both of our Sport 800s are left-hand drive. They both came to the US via Okinawa.
Do you work at Lane museum?
Malamut Auto Museum. It’s a private collection.
http://www.malamutautomuseum.org
Forgot we changed the web address!
http://malamutautomuseumfoundation.org/
I saw someone put a Hayabusa engine in a Fairlady, and it was a beast. Maybe a Subaru in this would make it rock.
If it wasn’t as rough as it appears I’d suggest a 2JZ swap
First glance reminds me of the TRV of sim yr Brit but agree (less so) a lill Italian too. NO motorcycle engines (now motorcycle carbs – yes! 1 for each cyl right at the intake).
New to me (2, 3 X a yr BF, here’s the 1st & only Jan).
Just wish out of these pic I got one good one for a best view (full side, frnt, or back & 1 of any of the four 3/4 views).
I’ve driven a Publica 800 sports which has the same drive train
They are a blast to drive but I don’t think I could fit into this version
It is often referred to as the 2000GT’s little brother
As Patrick mentioned the two being LHD from Okinawa. After reversion from US control to Japan in 1972 drivers still drove on the right and many JDM cars were made for Okinawa with LHD
After 1978 when the reversed to driving on the left all the domestic models were RHD same as mainland Japan
Here is a pic of the publica sports 800 if it wasn’t a convertible I don’t think I would have fit in it.
If ever there was a car that should be restored, it’s this one. I saw one parked in front of Loews L’Enfant Plaza Hotel in Washington, DC. It drew more attention than any Ferrari or Rolls Royce could ever hope to garner. It would take a good bite out of a lottery check, but it would provide priceless exclusivity. I hope someone will give it the love it needs.
Er, Todd, I think your mantra for driving in RHD markets is reversed. Kept left (unless overtaking), and look right (to avoid a t-bone or roundabout shunt. And “mind the gap”, LOL.
You guys talking about engine swaps missed the obvious choice… want extra light? Extra powerful? The solution is a Hayabusa Turbo engine.
I’m thinking that a BMW flat twin motorcycle engine might fit.