A car that is probably most known around the world for the specially built convertible variant that was in the James Bond “You Only Live Twice” movie, was Toyota’s first real attempt to build a performance car. It is generally considered to be the first Japanese “Supercar”. The car was actually built almost entirely by Yamaha and only 351 total variants were ever made. Beyond the styling it offered a DOC straight six 2.0 liter engine developing 150 horsepower, a five speed manual transmission and was the first Japanese car to be equipped with power assisted disc brakes.

It’s “boutique” production doomed the car commercially as its selling price was higher than comparable cars like the Porsche 911 or Jaguar XKE. Had Toyota committed to mass production of the car like Datsun did a year later with the 240Z the sports car landscape of the late 60’s to mid 70’s might have been very different. Today it is the most sought after Japanese car by auto collectors.

As it was, the car had a brief racing history in Japan, where it won the Fuji 24 Hour race in 1967 and in the US were Toyota hired Carroll Shelby and All American Racers to campaign two cars in the SCCA C Production category in 1968. The cars were fairly competitive but finished third in the constructor’s category behind the Porsche 911 and the Triumph TR250. The #33 was the SA car driven by “Scooter” Patrick during the 1968 SCCA season. The #23 Davy Jordan model with blue highlights instead of red is also available.

AutoArt has done a very fine job producing this car. In an era where cost cutting is giving us more sealed models and less and less detail the 1968 Toyota 2000GT SCCA gives us no less than eight opening parts including the pop–up lights and the access doors behind the front wheels. The access doors are a really nice touch and the kind of detail that is really unexpected on a model at this price point. Even better, the fit on all of these openings is excellent as is the overall finish. AutoArt has mastered the art of painting diecast cars and the 1968 Toyota 2000GT SCCA is up to their highest standards. Couple that with well formed and finished wheels and realistic tires and you have real “shelf appeal”.

The interior is also nicely finished, especially the shifter and the steering wheel and the overall impression is free of that “looks like plastic” look that so many cars at even twice the price of this one have. Under the hood you will find the engine is well formed with crisp lines and graphics. Some may quibble about the “plumbing” being mostly plastic with painted on fittings but that is a dollar trade off that I’m willing to take. Same goes for the plumbing in the back under the hatch. They also did a nice job on the fuel cap. I don’t need my fuel caps to open, just to look like they do and this one looks the part – bravo!

All in all, this car makes my list as one of the best “values for the dollar” out there. It is an excellent mix of fit finish and detail of one of Japans truly iconic motor cars. And if racing cars are not your cup of tea Legacy Motors can put you into a nice red coupe or a white convertible – check them out!