Toyota Shelby 2000 GTIn 1967, Toyota entered into an agreement with Shelby American Racing, Inc. to develop the 2000 GT for SCCA Production competition. The terms of the deal were simple : The manufacturer was to ship three cars (chassis number 10001, 10005, and 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 6, 1967, chassis number 10001 took to the track for the first time at Riverside Raceway in California with Formula One driver Ronnie Bucknum piloting. After only two test outings and several Shelby suspension and engine modifications, Dave Jordan took to the track for a third test and shaved over 4 seconds off the lap times. The Toyota 2000 GT had arrived and was about to make an imprint on the American racing scene forever.
When this 1968 season began, SCCA ace Scooter Patrick was assigned to the number 33 car, while Dave Jordan became the official driver for the number 23 car. The freshman 2000 GTs showed true potential and stamina in the SCCA C-Production class, famously scoring three 1-2 finishes. All told, the pair racked up four wins, eight 2nd place finishes, and six 3rd place finishes, with 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 2000 GT itself. | |
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