While we love bringing all of you in the greater Missoula, MT area the latest news about the release of new Toyota models, we also like to take the time to report on classic models as well. At a recent auction, one particular Toyota model from the 1960's earned itself some time in the spotlight for getting a winning bid of $1.16 million. This actually set a record for being the largest sale of an Asian brand car at an auction event. Let's take a closer look at what this special car has to offer.
The pale yellow 1967 Toyota 2000GT coupe was the automaker's first sports car model. With its sleek and sporty style, it's no wonder that this vehicle attracted so much attention. Especially when considering it sports a 2.0-liter straight six engine that can crank out 150 horsepower to generate a top speed of about 135 miles per hour. It also includes innovative features like rack-and-pinion steering and disc brakes, both of which were impressive for that time period.
During production only 351 of these models were produced, which also helps explain why the auctioned vehicle got such an impressive bidding price. Another fun fact about the 2000GT is that it was used in the 1967 James Bond film titled You Only Live Twice. It was filmed in Japan and featured well-known actor Sean Connery. The model used in the movie was a specialized version that wasn't actually a fully functioning convertible due to Connery's height. All and all the 2000GT is an important part of Toyota history, so we can see why an auto enthusiast would pay a high price to add it to their collection.
Be sure to continue following our blog so we can bring you all of the latest Toyota news to keep you informed. We also welcome you to visit our Lithia Toyota of Missoula dealership so you can check out the current models that we have to offer. We'd be happy to answer questions or schedule you for a test drive with the vehicle that catches your eye!
