Publication: Auto Sport
Format: Test Drive Report
Date: Spring 1966
Author: Robert Dunham

Robert Dunham’s Test Run: Toyota 2000GT

“The Toyota 2000GT, expected to make an appearance at the Japanese Grand Prix in May, gave every impression of deserving the title of Japan’s first true sports car."

The Toyota 2000GT, expected to make an appearance at the Japanese Grand Prix in May, gives every impression of being worthy of the title of Japan’s first true sports car.

Publication: Car Graphic
Format: Road Impressions
Date: May 1967
Author: Kyoichi Yamaguchi

Operation TNT007

In early February, “Operation TNT007” began across the Pacific Ocean.

This was the first step in the full-scale introduction of the Toyota 2000GT to the United States, carried out as a special reporting mission by a well-known American automotive magazine. TNT is, of course, an abbreviation for trinitrotoluene, a high-performance explosive. And 007, needless to say, is the code name for the world-famous British secret agent, James Bond. In fact, TNT007 was the California license plate issued to the very first Toyota 2000GT registered in the United States.

Publication: Auto Sport
Format: Road Impressions
Date: July 1967
Author: Yukio Fukuzawa, Yoshio Otsubo, Auto Sport Editorial Staff (uncredited)

The Union of Elegance and Intensity

A graceful grand tourer on the highway. A fearless competition machine on the circuit. That was the impression left by the recently released Toyota 2000GT after factory drivers Yukio Fukuzawa and Yoshio Otsubo took it out on both road and track.

The Character of a First-Class Grand Tourer

Publication: Motor Fan
Format: Test Drive Report
Date: August 1967
Author: Makoto Urakawa

Setting 16 World and International Records

During last year’s Third Japanese Grand Prix, Toyota team driver Mitsuo Tamura posted an outstanding qualifying performance in the Toyota 2000GT. Expectations were high for the race itself, where it would face formidable rivals such as the Porsche Carrera, Prince R380, and Fairlady S. But fate intervened. A newspaper discarded by a spectator lodged against the radiator grille during the race, causing the engine to overheat and forcing a bitter retirement. This left Shihomi Hosoya to settle for third place overall.

Publication: Motor Fan
Format: Road Test
Date: October 1967
Authors (Roundtable): Jiro Kono, Osamu Hirao, Kenji Higuchi, Akio Miyamoto, Yasuhei Oguchi, Taizo Tateishi, Kenzaburo Ishikawa, Toshihide Hirata, Riichi Toyoda, Motor Fan Editorial Staff (uncredited)

A GT Car Bringing Together The Best of Toyota’s Technology

Magazine: To begin, could you tell us about the aims behind the development of the Toyota 2000GT, and give us an overview?

Kono: Perhaps I should start by explaining why Toyota decided to build a car like this in the first place. In 1963, the first Japanese Grand Prix was held, followed by the second the following year, along with a number of other races domestically. In all cases, the field was dominated by boxy sedan-type cars. Seeing this, there was a growing feeling within the company that we should create something more like a true sports car, and use it as a kind of spearhead for Toyota’s lineup.

Publication: Motor Fan
Format: Dynamic Test Drive
Date: February 1970
Authors: Shintaro Taki, Rena Takahashi, Motor Fan Editorial Staff (uncredited)

1,200km of Hard Driving: A Luxury Car With An Unclear Design Philosophy

Please allow me a moment to talk about something personal: about human charm. I apologize for starting off by talking about something that seems unrelated to cars, but when I talk about the Toyota 2000GT (with Toyoglide), I find I can’t avoid it.