Toyota 2000 GT

The Toyota 2000 GT is a rear-wheel drive, two-seat, hardtop coupé grand tourer designed by Toyota in collaboration with Yamaha. First displayed at the Tokyo Motor Show in 1965, the 2000GT was manufactured under contract by Yamaha between 1967 and 1970. The 2000 GT revolutionized the automotive world's view of Japan. A sleek, high-performance fastback, it demonstrated auto makers could produce a sports car to rival the marques of Europe.

Today, the 2000GT is the first seriously collectible Japanese car and its first supercar. The car was powered by a 2.0L straight-6 based on the engine in the Toyota Crown sedan. It was transformed by Yamaha with a new double overhead camshaft into a 150hp sports car engine. Carburation was through three two-barrel Solex 40 PHH units.

Only 351 regular production units of the 2000GT were built. In America, the 2000GT sold for about $6,800, much more than Porsches and Jaguars. About 60 cars reached North America and the others spread worldwide. Most 2000GTs were painted either red or white.

The 2000 GT's most famous screen appearance is in the 1967 James Bond film You Only Live Twice. The car had to be turned into a convertible in order for the 6' 2' Sean Connery to fit inside. It sold for $1.3m at auction.

This 1967 Toyota 2000 GT sold at auction for $1.15 million in 2016.