A Toyota 2000GT prepared by Carroll Shelby to race in the United States in 1967 has just become the most expensive Japanese car ever sold at auction with a price of 2.3 million euros.
For many, the Carroll Shelby name is intimately associated with Ford, and rightly so. The driver and engineer-turned-tuner designed some of the blue oval manufacturer’s most legendary sports cars in the 1960s, from the GT40 to the original Mustang GT500, not to mention his legendary AC Cobra powered by a Ford V8. Even today, the company that bears his name collaborates with the Dearborn firm. But Carroll Shelby made some infidelities to the latter, as when he made prototypes for De Tomaso (always with a Ford engine). An even lesser-known chapter in its history links it to Toyota. When the Japanese manufacturer launched the 2000GT in 1967, proving to the world that Japan could produce sports cars up to their Western rivals, he commissioned Shelby to design a racing version of his coupe. Three copies were built, and one of them has just resurfaced for auction.
Shelby, American legend
Between 1965 and 1967, Toyota entered several 2000GT prototypes in competition in Japan. Then, to promote the car in the United States, then the world’s largest market, the manufacturer sent a few pre-production units there, including the first 2000GT to carry a serial number, leaving the factory on September 27, 1966. It is about her that we are talking about here; its chassis is stamped “MF10-10001”.
Originally painted red, the car was initially used for presentations in North America. Wishing to demonstrate the performance of its latest creation, Toyota decided to enter it in the American sports car championship SCCA against Porsche in particular.
The firm first brought in designer Peter Brock, but Carroll Shelby managed to convince Japanese officials that he was a better choice.
The best of Japan and the United States of the 1960s?
The 2000GT MF10-10001, like its “sisters” MF10-10005 and MF10-10006, received more efficient brakes, adjustable shock absorbers, a custom exhaust system, a radiator to cool its differential, a new oil pan , a gear lever with more precise travel thanks to its Ferrari-style grille and an aluminum dashboard designed for racing.
She was dressed in a white and blue livery. Toyota entered the cars in 1968. The MF10-10001 was used as a relief and development car, thus escaping the most intense mistreatment of the competition. The results were encouraging for Toyota, including four victories during the season. But the manufacturer turned to other disciplines from 1969, and the 2000GT of Shelby were retired.
The most expensive Japanese at auction
After its career as an official “racer” ended, this first numbered Toyota 2000GT moved to Toyota’s North American headquarters in Southern California. The car was repainted several times over the following years. Toyota sold it to renowned collector Jeff Lewis a decade later, in 1978.
Its third owner acquired it from Lewis two years later. He then began a complete restoration of the car, which was not completed until the early 1990s. In perfect condition and again sporting its first racing livery, the car has shown itself at a few prestigious events since.
Kept by the same owner for forty-two years, it has therefore just changed hands during an auction organized by Gooding & Co. This real piece of history, as much for the Japanese automobile as for that of Shelby or the American influence, was sold for 2.5 million dollars, or around 2.3 million euros. This price makes it the most expensive Japanese car ever sold at auction ahead of another Toyota, the very first GR Supra, which was sold for charity in 2019 for 2.1 million dollars, or 1.85 million euros. at the time.
