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When I was a teen (mid-60's) I saw one parked at Longo Toyota in LA, at the time the world's biggest Toyota dealer. Owner's car. Looked very Jag-like but with funny headlights.
The car hugs the ground with its highest point at just 116 cm!
It is claimed a targa had been considered to accommodate the burly 6' 2" Sean Connery. This retained the original car's fastback profile but eliminated rear side windows. Purportedly, Connery's head stuck out of the top, the targa idea was then deemed too silly and the filming crew went for roofless models instead.
Two cars were custom-made for the filming, and these remain the only open-top 2000GTs ever produced. They were modified from a coupe into a roadster to allow for Sean Connery’s height, the first order of business was removing the GT's top. Full roadster conversions began at Toyota's Toyopet Service Center facility in may 1966. Amazingly, Toyota finished the conversion of both cars in two weeks.
Actress Akiko Wakabayashi (Aki) could not drive so chase scenes were filmed with stuntmen in wigs.
For closeups, one car's dashboard was modified to include flashy new Sony communications gear.
The windshield itself would be acrylic and totally removable for close-ups. The side windows, frames and regulators were removed, a faux rear tonneau cover was created, and a rear hatch area was replaced with a new horizontal trunk.
The 2000GT and slightly later Datsun 240Z generally paved the way for the Japanese sports car in the American market, though the 240Z was far more successful.
11-26-18, 08:16 AM
Rare LHD Toyota 2000GT Sold at Auction
