BUYER’S GUIDE

Toyota 2000GT review

As technically interesting as it is beautiful, the Toyota 2000GT is much more than the copy of European sports cars some think it is…

What Is It?

Born of an incredible burst of creativity energy emerging from the Japanese car industry of the late 1960s, the Toyota 2000GT joined the likes of the Honda S600, Nissan Skyline GT-R and rotary-engined Mazda Cosmo in creating legends their respective manufacturers live by to this day. While very obviously influenced by European sports cars in its aesthetics and engineering, the 2000GT stands in its own right as a car of incredible beauty and technical intrigue, the fact just 337 roadgoing versions were built ensuring its place among the most valuable of classic coupés.

Corrosive Areas

Aluminium and fibreglass bodywork should be OK but steel chassis needs inspection

Check all mounts to the bodywork

Suspension turrets and engine mounts should also be inspected

Checklist

Built with Yamaha, the original Toyota 2000GT was unveiled at the Tokyo motor show in 1965, though production didn’t start until 1967
Yamaha helped develop the 2.0-litre straight-six from the Toyota Crown into a sporting engine with a new crackle-finish, twin-cam head fed by three twin-choke carburettors
Yamaha’s expertise was also felt in the choice of materials, including boat-influenced fibreglass for the bootlid and skills honed in the manufacture of musical instruments for the choice and finish of interior wood trim
Aluminium body sits on top of an X-frame chassis/subframe heavily influenced by that Lotus developed for the Elan
Iconic green and yellow car helped prove the 2000GT’s quality by scooping a range of speed and distance records in the 1966 Yatabe Speed Trials
Raced with some success in domestic competition, Carroll Shelby was drafted in to run three 2000GTs in the SCCA to help American sales, the cars performing strongly and loved by drivers but ultimately beaten by Porsche
Facelift in 1969 introduced smaller driving lights in the grille, new options including air-conditioning or a three-speed auto
Very small number of cars – said to be just nine – were built with bigger and more powerful 2.3-litre engines
Of the 337 road cars sold, most were right-hand drive, this number including a total of 62 left-hand drive versions intended for the US market
Any surviving 2000GT will demand specialist care these days, and the attention of expert restorers
Two convertibles were built for You Only Live Twice when the coupé was found to be too much of a squeeze for Sean Connery – one survives and is now in Toyota’s collection
Selected parts supply is available through Toyota Gazoo Racing’s GR Heritage Parts programme, though this is restricted to mechanical spares rather than trim or bodywork
Rarity and collectability will make history an important consideration, likewise full documentation of any restoration work that may have been carried out
Aluminium body can be removed from steel chassis for inspection and repairs to either as required

How does it drive?

As well as you’d hope, given beneath the gorgeous bodywork lurks double-wishbone suspension all round, disc brakes, a sharp five-speed gearbox, fast-geared rack and pinion steering and a revvy twin-cam six sucking through three double-barrelled carbs. If the 150PS (110kW) sounds a little modest compared with contemporary European rivals, few would argue with the quality of its delivery or the modernity of the driving manners compared with other cars of the era. While snug inside, the cabin is also beautifully trimmed and finished, the sporting driving manners combined with proper GT refinement and luxury.

What’s good?

The stunning looks are an obvious draw with the 2000GT, the delicately drawn and beautifully proportioned bodywork seemingly draped over the wheels and chassis for a stance that’s pure sports car when compared with its superficially similar but very much mass-produced Datsun Fairlady contemporary. The quality of the engineering is also beyond reproach and matched by a fastidious attention to detail combining the might of Toyota’s industrial scale with genuinely artisan hand-finishing in a beguiling combination. If perhaps down on power a tad compared with some European rivals, the 2000GT drives beautifully, with a delicacy and precision backed up with a pedigree of endurance records and competition.

What’s bad?

While celebrated among car fans and famous for its Bond associations, the 2000GT doesn’t have the mainstream recognition of a contemporary E-type, Aston Martin, Porsche 911 or 60s Ferrari and, for some, the need to explain the Toyota badges on a million-dollar classic may be a stretch. But each to theirs. Rarity and value are a double-edged sword as well, and with so few cars built any that come up for sale are going to be much sought-after among collectors who recognise its significance. That probably puts it beyond the realms of ‘usable classic’ and more into that of investment trinket. Which is a crying shame given how nice it would be to drive it as intended.

Which model to choose?

With just one model, a limited colour range and such restricted availability, you’ll be spared the agony of choice in this respect. The best 2000GT to buy is any you can get your hands on that passes the usual scrutiny you’d lavish on any classic of this value. The 1969 facelift does change the looks slightly with the smaller driving lights, but not so much as to be a deal breaker. We’d probably pass on the three-speed auto option introduced at the same time, mind. In short, if the history is solid, the car has been looked after and (where appropriate) restored correctly, it’s a simple case of assembling the necessary funds!

Specifications – Toyota 2000GT

Engine

2.0-litre six-cylinder, petrol

Power

150PS (110kW) @ 6,600rpm

Torque

176Nm (130b ft) @ 5,000rpm

Transmission

Five-speed manual, rear-wheel drive

Kerb weight

1,120kg

0-62mph

8.6 seconds

Top speed

137mph

Production dates

1967-1970