Jesse James
If you have a passion for automobiles, you probably have a soft spot for the classics. Today we get a look at something special dubbed as “one of the most significant Japanese cars ever built,” a 1967 Toyota-Shelby 2000 GT. Gooding & Company is auctioning this gem, which is estimated to sell for $2.75 and $3.5 million USD. Chassis number MF10-10001 is more than a vintage racecar is the first serial-numbered Toyota 2000 GT ever produced and one of three 2000 GTs prepped by American vehicle manufacturer Shelby for SCCA C-Production Racing.
The Toyota-Shelby 2000 GT was born in the mid-1960s, helping achieve the automaker’s goal of competing with the era’s dominant European sports cars and GT cars. Toyota partnered with Japanese motorcycle manufacturer Yamaha for the six-cylinder 210 BHP engine, while its in-house team designed an eyecatching 2,500-pound chassis. The car’s low center of gravity and neutral weight balance made it something incredible. The Shelby team made additional performance tweaks, including Halibrand magnesium wheels, Goodyear racing tires, and a Ferrari-style gated shifter.
The Toyota-Shelby 2000 GT ended the 1968 SCAA National Championship standings 4th in overall standings, while driver Dave Jordan praised the Toyota’s performance. He stated: “It was a terrific car…The handling was phenomenal. Great brakes, very stiff. The only thing that was lacking was by mid-season we couldn’t match the horsepower that Porsche was developing.” Beyond its performance, the car features a beautiful design that features exceptional attention to detail throughout.
Take a closer look at this exceptional Toyota-Shelby 2000 GT and head over to Gooding & Co. to learn more about this legendary machine. In the meantime, keep it locked with The Culture Curators for more classic cars, new rides, and everything in between coming soon.
Photos via Gooding & Co.
