The 1967 Toyota 2000GT, a car that reshaped the automotive world's view of Japanese engineering, is now on display at the DFW Car & Toy Museum in Fort Worth, Texas. Co-developed with Yamaha and styled by Albrecht Goertz, the designer behind the BMW 507, the 2000GT was originally pitched to Nissan, which declined. Toyota seized the opportunity, producing a hand-built masterpiece that combined the soul of a Porsche with the elegance of a Jaguar XKE.
Only 351 Toyota 2000GTs were ever built, including two special roadsters made for the James Bond film You Only Live Twice. This particular example, a white coupe, has not only survived but thrived, winning both "Best in Show" and "Japanese Jewels" at the 2022 London Concours, making it one of the most celebrated 2000GTs in existence. Powered by a high-revving DOHC inline-six engine capable of speeds up to 130 mph, the 2000GT also saw racing success under the direction of Carroll Shelby, who campaigned the car in SCCA events.
"This is the most important Japanese car ever made. Period," said Ron Sturgeon, founder of the DFW Car & Toy Museum. "It's not just rare—it's a symbol of a moment when the world finally took Toyota seriously as a performance brand." The 2000GT was produced to challenge the Porsche 911 and Jaguar E-Type, costing more than both while delivering stunning looks, razor-sharp handling, and up to 200 horsepower in race trim.
The Toyota 2000GT joins over 200 collector vehicles and 3,000 vintage toys and collectibles at the DFW Car & Toy Museum. The museum, located at 2550 McMillan Parkway in Fort Worth, offers free parking and admission, and is open Tuesday through Saturday from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. Visitors are encouraged to take pictures and can bring their dogs. The museum also offers secure climate-controlled car storage and facilities for events. More information is available at dfwcarandtoymuseum.com.
This exhibit provides a rare opportunity to see the car that changed everything for Japanese automotive design, a vehicle that remains a crown jewel of automotive history.
