Exterior Photos
1967 Toyota 2000 GT 1967 Toyota 2000 GT
Coupe
Designer: Raymond Loewy
Chassis Num: 10006
 
After the Ford racing contracts ended, Carroll Shelby took on a contract from Toyota to develop their 2000GT sports car.

In 1967, Toyota entered into an agreement with Shelby American Racing, Inc., to develop the 2000GT for SCCA Production Competition. The terms of the deal were simple: The manufacturer was to ship three cars (chassis $10001, 10005, 10006) to Shelby in California, where they would be modified to current SCCA regulations and developed for the 1968 series.

In the summer of 1967, Shelby received the three chassis, which had already been prepared for racing in Japan. On September 6th of 1967, chassis #10001 (used as the R&D car) took to the track for the first time at Riverside Raceway in California with former Formula One driver Ronnie Bucknum piloting. After the only two testing outings and several Shelby suspension and engine modifications, Dave Jordan took to the track for a third test and shaved over four seconds off the lap times. The Toyota 2000GT had arrived and was about to make an imprint on the American racing scene.

When the 1968 SCCA season began, Dave Jordan became the driver of this car, #23. The freshmen Shelby 2000GT's showed true potential and starring in the SCCA C-Production series. All told this car racked up two 1st place, four 2nd place, and three 3rd place finishes. Scooter Patrick finished 4th in the overall points championship. In the end the two cars had an overall finishing record above 80%. This not only proved the already famous reliability of Toyota and development skills of Shelby American, but also the inherent speed of the 2000GT itself.

Chassis #10005 and #10006 were eventually restored by Bob Tkacik and Peter Starr. They still own the #10006 car today.

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Monterey Historic Automobile RacesSpecial Display