Rare LHD Toyota 2000GT Sold at Auction

The Japanese Beauty

The Japanese have had some truly beautiful creations. Kumano Nachi Taisha is one of the most gorgeous shrines in the country and has amazing scenery to add to it. Walking The Sagano Bamboo Forest will bring serenity that can’t be achieved anywhere else on earth. But the one thing the Japanese have not always done the best with are beautiful cars. Case in point: the RX-7, A80 Supra, 240z, S2000. These are all good looking cars, but they aren’t beautiful. We have grown accustomed to their looks because of their performance and learned to love them, but they are not inherently beautiful cars. I take that back about the RX-7, those are truly pretty cars!

Most Japanese cars are not built with their aesthetics as the primary focus. Utilitarianism, innovation, and practicality were always the driving constituents. It’s not like in Italy, where cars may not run, but they look so good so you can have it sit in your driveway anyway. Nope. Instead, Japan produces good cars, cars that work, cars that run, and cars that excite. It's not typically emotions that drive design, but rather logic, as if Vulcans created cars. The 2000GT was different. Satoru Nozaki, the lead designer, looked at this opportunity as a chance to take the brand to a new level and compete in a growing segment. Ever since it first debuted at the 12th Toyko Motor Show in 1965, it has infatuated the world.  

Rare From the Start

Bring a Trailer recently hosted an auction for this beauty, with the final bid being $550,000. Quite a large step from the original MSRP of $7,230. Believe it or not, this was pretty expensive back in the day. The renowned and glorified E-Type Jaguar, which served as inspiration for Nozaki, started at only $4,663. Only 351 2000GT’s were ever produced, with 62 reaching the US borders. This particular specimen was originally bought by Otto Linton, who passed earlier this year. He was one of the last remaining racers from the post-war era. A racer, tuner, collector and Toyota dealer, Linton left quite the legacy along with his collection. This 2000GT (chassis MF10-10100) was bought new by Linton and he owned it for 30 years, after which it changed hands several times, until going through a full restoration in 2006 by specialist Main Line Exotics. During the restoration, the Solar Red factory paint was resprayed. The previous owner also had over $29,000 in mechanical service. 

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The Mechanical Bits

2000GTs came standard with a 1,988cc DOHC inline six that sits low and behind the front axles, technically putting the car into the front-mid-engine category. Fuel is siphoned in by a trio of 2-barrel Mikuni-Solex 40 PHH carburetors. Paired to a synchronized 5-speed trans and a limited-slip diff it makes for a very usable package. The Toyota 3M engine produces 148hp at 6,600 rpm and 129 lb-ft at 5,000 rpm. Standard power Sumitomo/Dunlop disc brakes are on all four corners. The wheels are magnesium center lock wheels, technology typically only seen on race cars even today.

>>Join the conversation about this rare LHD Toyota 2000GT right here at ClubLexus Forum!

History Lesson

In an attempt to learn from the best, Toyota bought several of the best sports cars of the time-Jaguar E-Type, Porsche 911, Lotus Elan among several others-and took the best of the technology from each. They gained a great deal from reverse engineering these historic sports cars. Clearly, the independent four-wheel suspension was needed, as was rack-and-pinion steering, limited slip diff, and powered disc brakes.

The design and aim of the 2000GT were inspired by the Jaguar it was meant to beat, but with improved aerodynamics. Nozaki shortened the front and narrowed the car. He then squared the rear off, hoping to eliminate much of the rear end lift that the Jag was often plagued with. Lowering the front meant the pop-up headlights were a necessity for it to be sold in California, as the state had a 2-foot height requirement on all new cars. 

>>Join the conversation about this rare LHD Toyota 2000GT right here at ClubLexus Forum!

A Warm, But Limited Reception

Once released, the sporty Toyota was met with a warm reception. It was an attractive, capable, and reliable sports car from a plucky little brand fighting to prove themselves. This proved to be the David and Goliath story of the century. The problem was, no one had $4000 extra dollars to spend on a car that, although lighter, was underpowered and outclassed by the well known, established British powerhouse. The Yamaha tweaked engine sang, but still didn't produce the power required to pull buyers that were looking for a straight line rocket, despite being nimble and energetic in the corners due to its low center of gravity.

The car left the world with proof that Japan had what it takes to compete for more than the smallest car award, but had some work to do still before establishing itself in a world that had such big game competition. These days, that same spirit is carried into the DNA of Toyota's legendary luxury brand, Lexus.

>>Join the conversation about this rare LHD Toyota 2000GT right here at ClubLexus Forum!

A Few Interesting Facts

The dash, one of the strongest characters of this car, is a rosewood veneer. The piano division of Yamaha was in charge of constructing this beautiful piece of art, and it is very obvious. The gauges are mounted in a conical lens to prevent sun glare from hitting the driver. There are also convenient little doors just aft of the front wheels. Take these panels off and you have access to the air cleaner, windshield washer reservoir, and battery. Quite an idea. It may have changed up the lines of the car some, but I think overall the panel adds to the overall quirkiness of the car. There is also a dual face rally clock built right into the dash, perhaps as a take away from the Porsche they had purchased for research. The handbrake is a point of interest as well. Looking almost like a door handle jetting directly under the radio controls in front of the shifter.

All in all the 2000GT was one of the most beautiful cars ever made, personally, I feel it trumps even the seemingly divine E-Type. This is one of the great examples of this car, please, I highly encourage you to visit Bring a Trailer’s website where they have over 130 absolutely stunning photos of this historic car. 

>>Join the conversation about this rare LHD Toyota 2000GT right here at ClubLexus Forum!

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