The 1967 Toyota 2000GT, widely considered the most important Japanese car ever made, has joined the Ron Sturgeon Collection at the DFW Car & Toy Museum in Fort Worth, Texas. This award-winning, race-inspired white coupe represents a pivotal moment in automotive history when Toyota proved itself as a serious performance brand.
Co-developed with Yamaha and styled by Albrecht Goertz, the designer behind BMW's 507, the 2000GT was originally pitched to Nissan, who declined. Toyota seized the opportunity, creating a hand-built masterpiece with the soul of a Porsche and the elegance of a Jaguar XKE. Produced to challenge icons like the Porsche 911 and Jaguar E-Type, it cost more than both while delivering stunning looks, razor-sharp handling, and up to 200 horsepower in race trim.
Only 351 Toyota 2000GTs were ever built, including two special roadsters made for James Bond's You Only Live Twice. This particular example has not only survived but thrived, winning both "Best in Show" and "Japanese Jewels" at the 2022 London Concours, making it one of the most celebrated 2000GTs in existence today.
Powered by a high-revving DOHC inline-six and capable of speeds up to 130 mph, the 2000GT also saw racing success under the direction of Carroll Shelby, who campaigned the car in SCCA events, further cementing its performance pedigree.
"This is the most important Japanese car ever made. Period," said Ron Sturgeon, founder of the DFW Car & Toy Museum. "It's not just rare—it's a symbol of a moment when the world finally took Toyota seriously as a performance brand."
The Toyota 2000GT joins over 200 collector vehicles and 3,000 vintage toys and collectibles at the museum, located at 2550 McMillan Parkway, Fort Worth, TX 76137. The museum offers free parking and admission, and is open Tuesday through Saturday from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. For more information, visit the museum's website at dfwcarandtoymuseum.com.
This display provides a rare opportunity for visitors to see the car that reshaped global perceptions of Japanese engineering and design, a true crown jewel of automotive history.
