Tech Toyota 2000GT - the car that propelled Japan into the supercar pantheon

thomas · 27 Apr 2026

As a cyclist, I don't get too excited about cars. The beauty of Japan's 1960s sports cars doesn't leave me unmoved.

Such as the 1966 Toyota Sports 800

or the Honda S500:

But then came the Toyota 2000GT, and everything changed:

That car was the Toyota 2000GT, and it landed like a flare in a dark room. Toyota showed a prototype at the 1965 Tokyo Motor Show, then launched the production car on 16 May 1967. Toyota handled the overall concept and design direction, while Yamaha helped engineer the details, sharpen the engine, and build the car. Within Toyota, the project was codenamed 280A. The name itself suggests speed. The specs told the same story as the shape. Toyota and Yamaha gave the 2000GT a 2.0-litre DOHC straight-six, four-wheel independent suspension with double wishbones, four-wheel disc brakes, magnesium wheels, retractable headlamps, and a claimed top speed of 137 mph. The automaker says it ran from 0 to 62 mph in 8.6 seconds. Just as important, Toyota did not make many – the company ended production in 1970 after 337 cars, which placed the 2000GT closer to hand-built exotic territory than to normal showroom volume.

The Car That Made Japan A Supercar Threat Overnight

Japan was known for smart, sensible cars, until one low-slung coupe showed up and made the old guard sweat for real.

www.hotcars.com

Grandpa Frank · 28 Apr 2026

With yen at 1US dollar=360Y , all the military guys fell in love with the 240Z and bought and shipped them home. At least 15 of my Navy buddies got one. I was in love with the 1968 Dodge charger , so I skipped buying a Z.

thomas · 28 Apr 2026

Did you ever get to own the Charger, Frank?

Achilles 1-1 · 28 Apr 2026

Grandpa Frank said:
View attachment 136898 With yen at 1US dollar=360Y , all the military guys fell in love with the 240Z and bought and shipped them home. At least 15 of my Navy buddies got one. I was in love with the 1968 Dodge charger , so I skipped buying a Z.

Looks like something James Bond would drive.

Grandpa Frank · 28 Apr 2026

I opted for a GMC pickup when I got out of the Navy. When building monster trucks became the in thing to do , I went all out. I was then in the family automotive company running the wholesale warehouse. I bought a used GMC Jimmy 4WD and put $20,000US into building it. Our shop took a 400CI Corvette engine and put all racing gear in it. It put out 1200HP on the dyno. The tires were 36 inches tall and 12 inches wide. The bottom edge of the door was 36 inches above the ground , fun getting into , LOL. It had a 12,000 pound winch on the front bumper. When I bought it , it weighed about 3000 pounds. Just before I had to sell it , it weighed in at over 7000 pounds. At best , it got 7 MPG and when gas got real expensive , I was forced to sell it. Had some fun times with it for about 5 years though. The picture is not my truck , but similer to it.

mdchachi · 28 Apr 2026

This was just in the news this past week.

Grandpa Frank · 28 Apr 2026

Tech Toyota 2000GT - the car that propelled Japan into the supercar pantheon

thomas

Unswerving cyclist

The Car That Made Japan A Supercar Threat Overnight

Grandpa Frank

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thomas

Unswerving cyclist

Achilles 1-1

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mdchachi

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Grandpa Frank

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