The DFW Car & Toy Museum in Fort Worth, Texas, has added a crown jewel of Japanese automotive history to its collection: a 1967 Toyota 2000GT. This award-winning, race-inspired white coupe, now part of the Ron Sturgeon Collection, represents a pivotal moment when Japan proved it could compete with the world's finest sports cars.
Co-developed with Yamaha and styled by Albrecht Goertz, the designer behind the BMW 507, the Toyota 2000GT was originally offered to Nissan, which declined. Toyota seized the opportunity, producing a hand-built masterpiece that combined the soul of a Porsche with the elegance of a Jaguar XKE. With only 351 units ever built—including two special roadsters for the James Bond film You Only Live Twice—the 2000GT is exceptionally rare. This particular example has won both "Best in Show" and "Japanese Jewels" at the 2022 London Concours, making it one of the most celebrated 2000GTs in existence.
"This is the most important Japanese car ever made. Period," said Ron Sturgeon, founder of the DFW Car & Toy Museum. "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's performance pedigree was further cemented under the direction of Carroll Shelby, who campaigned the 2000GT in SCCA events. Powered by a high-revving DOHC inline-six engine capable of speeds up to 130 mph, the 2000GT challenged icons like the Porsche 911 and Jaguar E-Type, often at a higher price point.
Now on display at the museum, located at 2550 McMillan Parkway in Fort Worth, the 2000GT joins over 200 collector vehicles and 3,000 vintage toys and collectibles. The museum, founded by Ron Sturgeon over three decades ago, offers free admission and parking, and is open Tuesday through Saturday from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. Visitors can explore this historic car and other rotating exhibits. For more information, visit the museum's website at dfwcarandtoymuseum.com.
The addition of the 2000GT underscores the museum's commitment to showcasing automotive milestones. As a car that reshaped global perceptions of Japanese engineering and design, it offers a rare opportunity for enthusiasts and the public to witness a piece of history that changed the automotive landscape.
