Toyota 2000 GT Convertible - 'You Only Live Twice'
The ultra rare Toyota 2000 GT Convertible came about almost by accident. The 1967 movie 'You Only LIve Twice' was the fifth movie from the James Bond franchise. The James Bond character travels to Japan where he is met by a Japanese agent assisting in his mission. The car used is a Toyota 2000 GT.
When the first 2000 GT appeared for shooting its was pointed out that Sean Connery, at near six-foot was not likely to fit into the diminutive Toyota. Apparently, two weeks later, two picture-perfect roadsters arrived for filming, thus building the reputations of both the Bond 'car' and rare, mythical Japanese supercar 2000 GT.
The 2000 GT Convertible is involved in a car chase, ultimately resolved with a giant electro-magnet hung from a helicopter, first lifting the chase car off the road, then gently dropping it into the ocean.
The car is actually a combined project between Toyota and Yamaha. Yamaha created the beautiful 2.0 litre inline-six cylinder engine, featuring twin overhead camshafts, producing 150 hp. The car is said to have been styled by Albrecht von Goertz, also credited with the BMW 507 sportscar. It has also been said that the project had originally been conceived as a Datsun, however, rejected, and the project completed by Toyota. There is a clear similarity to the similarly configured Datsun 240 Z, which spearheaded Datsun's reputation during its entry to the US.
Today the 2000 GT is a rare and valuable gem, valued as much as half a million dollars. The value of one of the two convertibles, featured so prominently in a contemporary action movie would render them priceless.
This Lego model has been created for Flickr LUGNUts 61st Build Challenge, - 'The Great Chase!' - featuring vehicles from movie car chase scenes.
Toyota 2000 GT Convertible - 'You Only Live Twice'
The ultra rare Toyota 2000 GT Convertible came about almost by accident. The 1967 movie 'You Only LIve Twice' was the fifth movie from the James Bond franchise. The James Bond character travels to Japan where he is met by a Japanese agent assisting in his mission. The car used is a Toyota 2000 GT.
When the first 2000 GT appeared for shooting its was pointed out that Sean Connery, at near six-foot was not likely to fit into the diminutive Toyota. Apparently, two weeks later, two picture-perfect roadsters arrived for filming, thus building the reputations of both the Bond 'car' and rare, mythical Japanese supercar 2000 GT.
The 2000 GT Convertible is involved in a car chase, ultimately resolved with a giant electro-magnet hung from a helicopter, first lifting the chase car off the road, then gently dropping it into the ocean.
The car is actually a combined project between Toyota and Yamaha. Yamaha created the beautiful 2.0 litre inline-six cylinder engine, featuring twin overhead camshafts, producing 150 hp. The car is said to have been styled by Albrecht von Goertz, also credited with the BMW 507 sportscar. It has also been said that the project had originally been conceived as a Datsun, however, rejected, and the project completed by Toyota. There is a clear similarity to the similarly configured Datsun 240 Z, which spearheaded Datsun's reputation during its entry to the US.
Today the 2000 GT is a rare and valuable gem, valued as much as half a million dollars. The value of one of the two convertibles, featured so prominently in a contemporary action movie would render them priceless.
This Lego model has been created for Flickr LUGNUts 61st Build Challenge, - 'The Great Chase!' - featuring vehicles from movie car chase scenes.