Toyota History in two parking spaces...

[Ruksac]

Spotted these two beauties walking into work today. A Toyota 2000 GT valued at $2,000,000 and, if that weren't enough, a Nurburgring LFA. Sweet

 

[mmcartalk]

NICE picture.

Many think that the now-legendary Datsun (Nissan) 240Z of 1970 was the first true Japanese sports car to be let loose in the American market...which was true, if you look at the general effect it had on the public and auto industry. But, though nowhere near as numerous or successful, the 2000GT had preceeded it here in America by several years.

 

[Ruksac]

And look how much the 2000GT influenced the 240. Most people mistake this car for a 240.

 

[bnizzle87]

A beautiful shot. The heritage of Toyota motorsports, and it really showcases how iconic each is in its respective generations.

 

[CIF]

NICE picture.

Many think that the now-legendary Datsun (Nissan) 240Z of 1970 was the first true Japanese sports car to be let loose in the American market...which was true, if you look at the general effect it had on the public and auto industry. But, though nowhere near as numerous or successful, the 2000GT had preceeded it here in America by several years.

Exactly, well said. Similarly, many enthusiasts mistakenly believe the Honda Insight was the first hybrid on the market, when in fact the Toyota Prius debuted years before the Insight. The Insight was simply the first hybrid in North America, with the Prius being available in North America a few months later.

 

[mmcartalk]

Exactly, well said. Similarly, many enthusiasts mistakenly believe the Honda Insight was the first hybrid on the market, when in fact the Toyota Prius debuted years before the Insight. The Insight was simply the first hybrid in North America, with the Prius being available in North America a few months later.

Yes, the Insight preceded the Prius, here in the U.S., by about 8 months or so. The Insight debuted in January 2000 (I got to test-drive one of the first ones into the D.C. area)...the Prius not till August or September (don't remember exactly).

I don't want too take this thread too far off-topic, but, on the subject of the 1Gen Prius/Insight, I also think something else needs to be said. Introduction-time, here, though, doesn't tell the whole story. The real difference was in the two cars themselves. The 1Gen Insight was essentially a tiny, glorified Kiddy-Car, with two seats, awkward-looking protruding rear-wheel skirts, a Bounce-O-Matic ride from the light weight and lack of suspension-travel, drum-like road noise from the almost complete lack of insulation, a simple, series-type hybrid drive-in that wouldn't get out of its own way, only available in three or four exterior colors, and, despite the hatch-type cargo area, almost no space for carrying things because of the battery-pack. Its rated payload (passengers AND baggage) was only 350 lbs, so, big guy that I am, I couldn't even drive with someone else sitting in the car without technically overloading it. This car, IMO, except for use by one or two small adults as a gas-saving regular commuter where comfort was not an issue, was essentially a waste of money....and the low sales confirmed that.

In contrast, the 1Gen Prius, despite an awkward dash and shifter-controls, was a far more flexible and usable small sedan, and had a more sophisticated parallel-type hybrid system that could run on either gas or electric alone for a limited range. It was no Chevy Suburban, but could clearly carry a lot more than an Insight, and, again, while no luxury car, was also noticeably more comfortable and tolerable in its road manners.