Best Car to Come Out of Japan? No Question! Toyota’s 2000 GT

By Arison Knapp - June 7, 2016

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Serendipitous synchronicity? Perhaps.

We’ve been talking about the “Best Car to Come Out of Japan” lately, just as Gooding & Company readies for auction a first-run, fully-restored 1967 Toyota 2000 GT. Some say this limited production piece of art started the Japanese supercar arms race. Others say it’s the original Japanese supercar, and car critiques will attest this car proved Japan’s automotive athleticism to the world. One never knows what the grandchild Lexus LFA would be if it wasn’t for Toyota’s 2000 GT. Let’s slalom through some stats as to why this is hands down the best car to come out of Japan.

The 2000 GT was a complete Yamaha design project. This was one of the first attempts where the motorcycle maker tried to launch into the automotive industry. Yamaha first tried to partner with Nissan, before landing a collaboration with Toyota. It was a natural partnership for Toyota, as a decade earlier, Toyota bought about a 4% stake in ownership of Yamaha Motors. This occurred when the motors division popped off the cob from the parent company. Who knew the link would bring us a front-midship, rear-drive grand touring coupe that challenged Europe’s elite like Jaguar’s E-Type and Porsche’s 911 Carrera?

Out of the 351 GTs ever built, just 233 first-runs were assembled by Yamaha. This one’s red paint isn’t the traditional white or ultra rare yellow though, so it stands out even more for collectability. No details of engine, suspension, or other conditions of the car, but from looking at it, it’s a right-hand drive model. From serial numbers given, we know it’s running a 2-liter straight-6 Yamaha engine, which must thunder through its chromed pipes.

Just like Elon Musk judges all of his Tesla’s against the McLaren F1 for acceleration feel, I can see Akio Toyoda driving the 2000 GT before he climbs into new concepts, just to see if he gets that same feeling of exhilaration.