1967 Toyota 2000 GT

1967 TOYOTA 2000 GT 1 of 98 Left-Hand Drive

This 1976 Toyota 2000 GT Chassis 10045 was built in July 1967 and was given special internal numbering as only the third left-hand-drive example built. The 45th 2000 GT completed, it was finished in Solar Red, with the black vinyl interior common to all production 2000 GTs. Matching numbers - the engine number (10092) appears alongside chassis number 10045 in the Yamaha Production List reproduced in the definitive book on the model, Toyota 2000 GT by Shin Yoshikawa. Originally delivered to the Toyota dealer in Fort Worth, Texas, and likely among the first to arrive on American shores, it was delivered to its first owner, local resident James Minton, soon thereafter. In 1977, the 2000 GT was purchased by Japanese car enthusiast Frank Takemoto who, amazingly, would retain ownership for the next 45 years. Showing less than 41,000 miles, the 2000 GT is unrestored and quite original throughout, retaining its original black vinyl interior, Mikuni-Solex carburetors, and magnesium wheels. The Toyota has not been road registered since 1993, and has not been run in several years; rather, it was quietly kept out of public view in a Southern California garage until recently, making for a most exciting and important find. Notably, it is offered with its rarely seen, original tool kit and still wears the six-digit California license plate that it was assigned in 1977, according to paperwork on file. Unknown for decades to 2000 GT historians, 10045 is one of the very last off-the-grid 2000 GTs remaining to emerge from hiding, and its appearance represents an exciting opportunity for any enthusiast of the rarest and most beautiful sports cars of all time.