The DFW Car & Toy Museum in Fort Worth, Texas, has added a piece of automotive history to its collection: a 1967 Toyota 2000GT, widely regarded as the most important Japanese car ever made. Co-developed with Yamaha and styled by Albrecht Goertz, the same designer behind the BMW 507, the 2000GT was originally pitched to Nissan, who passed. Toyota seized the opportunity, producing a hand-built masterpiece with the soul of a Porsche and the elegance of a Jaguar XKE.
Only 351 Toyota 2000GTs were ever built, including two special roadsters made for James Bond's You Only Live Twice. This particular example is a white coupe that has won both 'Best in Show' and 'Japanese Jewels' at the 2022 London Concours, making it one of the most celebrated 2000GTs in existence. Powered by a high-revving DOHC inline-six engine 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.
Ron Sturgeon, founder of the DFW Car & Toy Museum, stated: 'This is the most important Japanese car ever made. Period. It's not just rare—it's a symbol of a moment when the world finally took Toyota seriously as a performance brand.' The car joins over 200 collector vehicles and 3,000 vintage toys and collectibles at the museum, which is located at 2550 McMillan Parkway, Fort Worth, TX 76137. The museum offers free parking and admission, and is dog-friendly.
The 2000GT was produced to challenge the likes of the Porsche 911 and Jaguar E-Type, and it cost more than both—yet delivered stunning looks, razor-sharp handling, and up to 200 horsepower in race trim. Its presence in the museum offers visitors a rare opportunity to see the car that reshaped global perceptions of Japanese engineering and design. For business and technology leaders, this exhibit highlights how innovation and risk-taking can redefine an industry, much like Toyota did when it ventured into the high-performance sports car market.
The museum, formerly known as DFW Elite Toy Museum, has a long history of collecting automobile toys and cars. Its website, DFW Elite Toy Museum, remains a key resource for enthusiasts. The new facility is 150,000 square feet and offers secure climate-controlled car storage and event spaces. Hours of operation are Tuesday-Saturday, 9:00 am-6:00 pm. For more information, visit the museum's website at dfwcarandtoymuseum.com.
