Rare and Exquisite 1968 Toyota 2000GT Sold for Over $1 Million
Often considered as the first supercar and first seriously collectible car from Japan, the Toyota 2000GT two-seat sports coupe had a limited production run of 351 units in the late 1960s. It showed the rest of the world that Japanese automakers could build desirable and high-level sports cars, too.
Interesting fact: the car was penned by Toyota designer Satoru Nozaki, but hand-built under contract by Yamaha.
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One of the 109 export models configured with left-hand drive was sold this week in California via auction website Bring a Trailer. The winning bid was an astonishing $850,000 USD, which is the equivalent of $1.05 million CAD at the current exchange rate.
The elegant body was originally finished in Solar Red according to documents provided by the seller. Though it was later re-painted in white, this 1968 2000GT kept its pop-up headlights, driving lights faired behind plexiglass covers and bullet-style mirrors atop the front fenders.
The 15-inch magnesium alloy centre-lock wheels are finished in black and connected to an independent suspension. The latter comprises unequal-length A-arms, coil springs, telescopic shock absorbers and anti-roll bars at both ends.
The mainly black cabin with vinyl seat upholstery and knitted inserts features magnificent wood trim on the dashboard, console, shift knob and steering wheel. As the pictures show, the interior has benefited from some restoration work and appears to be in great condition. The odometer indicates just 19,339 kilometres.
As for the 2.0-litre inline six-cylinder engine with hemispherical combustion chambers and a cast iron block topped by a Yamaha-designed aluminum cylinder head, the spark plugs were replaced in 2016 along with the distributor cap and rotor, and battery tender leads were installed. The ignition coil was replaced and the timing and carburetors adjusted in 2017 by Fast Cars Ltd. of Redondo Beach, California. A five-speed manual transmission is part of the mix, too.
Just so you know, other Toyota 2000GT models have sold for more money in the past. In 2013, one traded hands at an auction for $1.2 million USD.