1967 Toyota 2000GT sells for $US1.15m

Date: 17.05.2013

Toyota 2000GT

Million dollar plus price tag for Japan’s E-Type rival

Toyota 2000GT sells for $US1.15m

1967 Toyota 2000GT sells for $US1.15m

A 1967 Toyota 2000GT, considered Japan's first supercar, has been sold by RM Auctions in the US for $US1,155,000 ($AU1,171,518). Part of the Don Davis Collection, the car had been restored to very high standards, with great attention to authenticity and detail - including a bare-metal respray of the original Bendix Yellow colour.

The 2000GT was Japan's answer to an E-Type and was also rival to the best Europe had to offer at the time. The front-engine, rear-wheel drive two-seater coupe was designed by Toyota in collaboration with Yamaha and achieved racing success with third place in the 1966 Japanese Grand Prix. It followed up by winning the Fuji 24-Hour Race in 1967 along with several speed and endurance records.

In addition to its racing merits, the 2000GT was also known for its screen appearance in the 1967 James Bond movie, You Only Live Twice. However its limited production run (and fewer exports) were said to be partly the reason for it not attaining the same status as iconic European sports cars of the same era.

This car is one of only 62 left-hand drive versions built, and with just 351 cars produced, surviving examples are highly sought-after. The 112kw (150hp) engine is a 2-litre in-line six-cylinder with double overhead cams, capable of a top speed of 217km/h (135mph).

As described by RM Auctions, "This car is without a doubt the finest and most authentic 2000GT to come to market in recent years, and as such, it is an outstanding and virtually unrepeatable example of a car that has only grown ever difficult to find as its greatness has begun to be recognized. If the world is fair, there will be a time in the future when the collections that require a Daytona, a Miura, and a Ghibli also demand a 2000GT."

With such attention to detail in the restoration process, this car is also described by RM Auctions as "among the very best in the world".

Visit RM Auctions for more rare and classic cars.

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