The Toyota 2000GT is one of Japan’s most legendary sports cars, produced between 1967 and 1970. It was Toyota’s first true high-performance grand tourer, developed in collaboration with Yamaha. The 2000GT was designed to rival European sports cars like the Jaguar E-Type and Porsche 911 and is widely considered Japan’s first collectible supercar.
Features
- Engine: 2.0L (3M) inline-6, DOHC, producing 150 hp
- Some models had a 2.3L (2M-B) inline-6 for the U.S. market.
- Transmission: 5-speed manual
- Top Speed: ~137 mph (220 km/h)
- 0-60 mph: ~8.6 seconds
- Chassis: Aluminum body on a steel backbone frame
- Suspension: Four-wheel independent (a rarity for Japanese cars at the time)
- Brakes: Four-wheel disc brakes
Racing & Cultural Significance
- Raced in Japan and internationally, proving its capabilities in endurance events like the Fuji 24 Hours and the 1967 Suzuka 1000km.
- Featured in the 1967 James Bond film You Only Live Twice as a special open-top version (since Sean Connery was too tall for the coupe).
- Only 351 units were ever built, making it one of the rarest and most desirable classic Japanese cars.