Toyota Shelby 2000GT sports car became the most expensive Japanese car in history

The first Japanese sports car Toyota Shelby 2000GT was sold at Gooding & Company auction for absolutely fantastic 2.53 million dollars. It’s hard to believe, but in 1967, when it just came off the assembly line, its price was a little over $7,100 – however, in those faraway days it was very big money. Suffice it to say – its main competitors V8 Chevrolet C2 Corvette, Jaguar E-Type or Porsche 911 cost much cheaper.

The mention in the name of the car of the legendary American tuning atelier Shelby is not casual. This version of the 2000GT was really tuned in the garage of racer Carroll Shelby in 1967. That’s why the value of this copy is so great.

The fact that the Toyota 2000GT was produced in a very small production run of 351 units made it almost the most expensive car in history, which was also due in no small part to the excellent performance for its time. Even fewer modifications of Shelby were made – only three pieces.

The production version of the car was equipped with a two-liter in-line six, double wishbone suspension on all four wheels, disc brakes, radial tires, magnesium alloy wheels and retractable headlights.

All this allowed the 2000GT to confidently compete with the best European sports cars of the time, set several world records, and even participate in the filming of one of the Bond movies, “You Only Live Twice,” starring Sean Connery.