1967 Toyota 2000 GT Coupe

Today, Toyota is known for its quality of engineering and the longevity of its products, but not necessarily for any earth-shattering performance. However, on the track, Toyota has a fierce reputation and it must not be forgotten the supercar in Japan was first birthed with the brand. That first supercar would be known as the 2000GT.

Made famous by Sean Connery in the James Bond movie You Only Live Twice, the 2000GT would garner a lot of attention and would capture the imagination of many, but what was it? The movie was set in Japan, but what Japanese automaker built a car like that? Toyota.

In reality, it was Albrecht Goertz and Yamaha that had produced a prototype of the 2000GT originally. However, none of the other Japanese manufacturers would agree to produce the car, except for Toyota.

Toyota already had a reputation for designing and building practical, rather mundane, automobiles. Those within the company wanted to change that image. The concept provided just such an opportunity. Practically overnight, Toyota would go from conventional to eccentric. The other Japanese manufacturers would be left behind.

Toyota appeared to be the last to ever produce a supercar, and yet, it would be the first from Japan. And, the first of these new supercars from Japan would reach the shores of the United States for the first time with chassis 10083.

Though there were two other left-hand drive 2000GTs produced, chassis 10083 would be the first of these to arrive in the United States. The car would arrive in San Francisco on special order to Bay area resident Scott Pfefer. Registered on black plates, Pfefer knew his sports cars well and recognized the significance of the new Japanese supercar.

Being a partnership of Yamaha and Toyota, Pfefer would have ever confidence driving the car and would do so quite regularly over his 10 years of ownership. In total, almost 66,000 kilometers would be accumulated before it would pass on to another owner.

The next owner would be Oggie Davis. He would acquire the Toyota in 1970. Davis was an authorized Toyota dealer in California and would use the car to great effect before he too would sell the car, this time to Alex Sokoloff of Palo Alto.

Jim Thelan would come to own the car at one point and this would be a remarkable purchase as it would make two 2000GTs he had in his collection. Known for his enthusiasm for Japanese automobiles, Thelan would make 10083 a prominent feature within his collection and would retain the car for around 20 years.

After 20 years with Thelan, 10083 would become available for purchase. It would be at this time that the present owner came to possess the two-door coupe.

Bearing a rich red livery that was done very early on in its life, 10083 remains unrestored in every other respect, and therefore, is one of the most highly original 2000GTs in the world. One of just 351, this particular chassis has to be regarded as one of the best simply because of its originality.

Significant in so many ways, this 1967 Toyota 2000GT is a part of a history that paved the way for so many others like the Nissan GTR, Lexus LFA, Acura NSX and now the Toyota FT-1. Each and every one of the 2000GTs is significant and this particular example one of the most originally significant. Now the car stands out and is known when James Bond needs his escape.

Recognized for its high originality, estimates of $1,000,000 to $1,300,000 would be given prior to its inclusion as part of RM Sotheby's 2015 Monterey auction.

By Jeremy McMullen