LEISURE
THE SOUTH AFRICAN TOYOTA 2000GT – CHAPTER 1
D
uring the 1960s, it was believed that Japanese cars did not offer the same level of quality, performance and reliability as their Western
counterparts. However, this was far from the truth as Japanese cars were becoming increasingly popular globally and often proved to be more reliable than many offerings from the United States and Europe. Japanese manufacturers had models that competed in almost every segment, ranging from economical hatchbacks to rugged off-roaders and sedans, but what they were missing was a luxurious high-performance sportscar. During the 60s, Europe offered the world cars like the Jaguar E-Type, the Porsche 911 and the Ferrari 250 GTO. America had the Corvette and other luxury models, but Japan was lacking on this front. That was
THIS IS THE STORY OF THE 2000GT
engine was to be at the front and
Motor Show. The model would go on to change the face of Japanese motoring and become the first million-
Following the Second World War,
it would need to embody a design
dollar Japanese car.
Japan underwent significant
that would rival those of the more
changes, the country had to rebuild,
expensive European models.
until the Toyota 2000GT turned up at the 1965 Tokyo
and many manufacturers shifted
SILVER DIGEST // AUTUMN 2021
As a stroke of luck, Yamaha had
their focus to building economical
approached Toyota at roughly the
cars and utility vehicles. It wasn’t
same time with a prototype they
until the first Japanese Grand Prix
had designed. This prototype was
in 1963 that drivers in the country
originally developed for Nissan
became interested in performance.
but the rival company rejected the
Just one year later, Toyota began
offer for reasons unknown. Nissan,
working on a luxury high-
however, took elements from the
performance model that would
design Yamaha submitted and went
showcase the company’s technology
on to create the 240Z, the main
and engineering abilities.
competitor of the 2000GT.
The project was headed up by
46
drive the rear wheels, and finally
Toyota, however, approved the
Shoichi Saito, a major contributor
Yamaha design and would use it to
to the development of Toyota as a
improve its somewhat conservative
manufacturer. His brief was simple:
brand image. Toyota’s designers,
Do whatever necessary to not only
Jiro Kawano and Satoru Nozaki,
produce the 2000GT, but make it
took the A55X prototype and further
one of the – or perhaps even the
developed it into what we know
– greatest car in the world. The
today as the 280 A1 prototype
2000GT would need to be practical
vehicle, which was unveiled at the
and yet enjoyable to drive, the
1965 Tokyo Motor Show.
