The DFW Car & Toy Museum in Fort Worth, Texas, has unveiled a new crown jewel in its collection: a 1967 Toyota 2000GT, widely regarded as the most important Japanese car ever made. This award-winning, race-inspired white coupe joins the Ron Sturgeon Collection, offering visitors a rare glimpse into automotive history.
Co-developed with Yamaha and styled by Albrecht Goertz, the designer behind BMW’s 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. With only 351 ever built, including two special roadsters for James Bond’s You Only Live Twice, the 2000GT challenged the likes of the Porsche 911 and Jaguar E-Type, costing more than both while delivering stunning looks, razor-sharp handling, and up to 200 horsepower in race trim.
This particular example not only survives but thrives, having 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 and capable of speeds up to 130 mph, the car also saw racing success under Carroll Shelby, who campaigned it in SCCA events, cementing its performance pedigree.
‘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 display at the museum underscores its significance in automotive history, marking a turning point when Japanese engineering began to gain global respect.
The Toyota 2000GT joins over 200 collector vehicles and 3,000 vintage toys and collectibles at the museum, located at 2550 McMillan Parkway in North Fort Worth. The museum, formerly known as DFW Elite Toy Museum, offers free parking and admission, and is open Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Visitors can see the car that changed everything and explore the museum’s extensive collection, which includes secure climate-controlled car storage and event facilities.
For those interested in automotive history, the museum’s website at dfwcarandtoymuseum.com provides more information. The museum also maintains a resource for toy and car lovers at DFW Elite Toy Museum. The addition of the 2000GT reinforces the museum’s reputation as a destination for rare and significant vehicles.
