As its first venture into the automotive industry, Yamaha, by the early 1960s already known for its motorcycles, decided to design a high-tech, glamorous sports car.

After the company completed its initial design for the car, they offered it to Nissan, then to Toyota, which accepted the project as an opportunity to prove that their own engineers and designers could compete with the best on the world stage.

Yamaha took the inline six-cylinder engine found in the Toyota Crown and adapted it for use in a sports car by installing new double overhead camshafts, bringing the total output to 150 bhp.

With a featherlight curb weight of just 2,400 pounds and a 49/51 weight distribution, the 2000GT had the perfect makings for a wonderful driver’s car, and top speed was a very respectable 135 mph.

The 2000GT was rare even when new, due to a towering sticker cost $1,000 higher than an E-Type or 911, and $2,500 more expensive than a Corvette.

With Toyota still building its international reputa...