We know an older, beautiful Toyota sports car when we see one. What we don't know, however, is what someone might pay for it an auction.
What about $1.2 million?
That was the case for the 1967 2000GT, the automaker's very first sports car. Owners of the 560-horsepower Lexus LFA have this car to thank as its great-grandparent. The sports car made its first appearance in 1965 at the Tokyo Motor Show; it likely out-shown some other cars.
A Yamaha-designed 2.0-liter straight six lies under the hood of the roadster with the ability to pump out 150-horsepower. It also comes equipped with rack-and pinion steering as well as disc brakes, which--at the time--were quite innovative.
The recent bid could be marked as a ground-breaking experience for the older Japanese vehicles in the world of collectors. Selling Japanese cars for collection have not fared as other vehicles, and there aren't too many of them that bring out the excitement that something as extraordinary as this vintage prize, the 2000GT, does.
If you feel like you've seen it somewhere, it might have been on film. After all, the roadster did appear in the James Bond flick You Only Live Twice. As most know, Bond has to ride in something sleek, fierce, and fast--and in the 1960's, having a vehicle capable of zipping over 135 mph was the epitome of fast and cool.
It's quite a rarity, considering only 351 units of the car were built. Of those units, 62 of them were designed for left-hand drive. Pair that with its vintage status and we're looking at a different price tag on it from the original selling point--$7,250.
What do you look for in a Toyota? The bidder found his match for his collection, and we, DCH Toyota of Torrance, have a collection to help match your needs. Check it out our new cars for yourself at our Torrance, CA. Looking for older, but not vintage? We have a great pre-owned selection as well.
Come by for a test drive!
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