After the second Japanese Grand Prix of 1964, Toyota began to develop a range-topping grand touring model in cooperation with Yamaha Motor Co. The 2000GT prototype was unveiled soon afterwards at the 1965 Tokyo Motor Show, followed by the production model’s entry into the domestic market in May 1967.
In order to build anticipation for its commercial release, the car established a reputation on the race track. In May 1966 two lightweight 2000GTs entered the Japanese Grand Prix, one of which came a creditable third place in only its second public appearance.
The following month, the same pair entered the Suzuka 1000km endurance race and finished in a resounding one-two formation, hammering home the speed and reliability of this new car.
That fact was underlined in October 1966 when Toyota entered a Tosco (now TRD) tuned 2000GT in a Speed Trial held at the Yatabe High Speed Testing Course. By the end of the 72-hour event, the yellow-and-green 2000GT had averaged a pace of 128.76mph around the circuit’s banked oval. During that time it smashed three world records and set 13 new international records for speed and endurance.
It smashed three world records and set 13 new international records for speed and endurance
The ultra-low coupe body of the Toyota 2000GT was designed in-house and supported by an X-shape backbone frame equipped with a 150bhp 2.0-litre DOHC straight six engine, four-wheel independent suspension and four magnesium alloy wheels.
The 2000GT was the first Japanese-made production model to adopt some of these novel components. Its performance was also world-class, including a maximum speed of 136mph and 0-62mph in 8.6 seconds.
By the end of production in 1970, a total run of just 351 units had been produced, 337 of which were sold as road cars.
Toyota GT86 Specification:
Motor Mode vinyl graphics, 9×17″ (ET42) Rota Retro 2 silver finish alloy wheels with 235/40 R17 Continental tyres, V-Maxx -40mm lowering springs, Miltek Sport stainless steel exhaust system
Also see:
Shelby Toyota 2000GT
Ove Andersson’s Toyota Celica 1600GT
IMSA GTU Toyota Celica
Castrol Toyota Celica GT-Four
Esso Ultron Tiger Toyota Supra
Making of our fleet of retro-tastic Toyota GT86 race replicas
Build your own Yatabe Speed Trial Toyota GT86
Would you like to build your own scale cut-out model of the Yatabe Speed Trial Toyota GT86? Click on the following link to download and print our specially prepared high-resolution PDF document
