Chris’ Cool Cars: 1967 Toyota-Shelby 2000 GT Coupe

Chris’ Cool Cars: 1967 Toyota-Shelby 2000 GT Coupe

Toyota only built 351 examples of its influential Toyota 2000 GT, and only about 60 of those were exported to the U.S. Among those, this particular example is extremely special.

Pictured here is the first serial-numbered 2000 GT, MF10*1001. It was built in September of 1966 and was originally finished in Solar Red. However, in an effort to enter SCCA C-Production racing, Toyota handed it and two other examples over to Carroll Shelby and his team.

Shelby upfitted the cars with exhaust, brake, wheel and suspension upgrades, along with roll bars, racing harnesses and gated shifters. The two other cars were the primary racing cars. MF10-10001 was the backup, which means it saw less wear and tear.

In this condition, and with such rare provenance, this is one of the most desirable 2000 GT’s available, and it’s expected to fetch as much as $3.5-million at the Amelia Island Auction in March.