As a sleek, high-performance fastback coupé, it demonstrated its auto makers could produce a sports car to rival the better marques of Europe.

[4] Automobile ownership in Japan during the late 1950s and early 1960s began to pick up, and Toyota noticed that most international manufacturers had a top level sports car or grand touring coupe, that would draw customers into showrooms and dealerships and drive sales of other more affordable models.

Most of the 2000GT's design was done by Yamaha Motor Corporation, who also contributed contract assistance for other Japanese manufacturers, including Nissan.

[5][6] Due to various problems, Yamaha senior management decided to close the research facility in 1962, but enthusiasm of developing a sports car led to them partnering with an established auto manufacturer.

[7][8] Yamaha then proposed the design to Toyota, for whom they also did contract work, then perceived as the most conservative of the Japanese car manufacturers.

[11] Its smoothly flowing bodywork featured pop-up headlights above large plexiglass covered driving lamps flanking the grille similar to those on the Toyota Sports 800.

Despite a custom open-top version built for the James Bond film You Only Live Twice, a factory-produced convertible was never offered.

The interior offered comfortable, if cramped, accommodation and luxury touches such as a walnut or rosewood veneer dashboard inlays provided by Yamaha's musical instrument woodworking facilities, and an auto-signal seeking radio tuner.

[12] In August 1969, the front was modified slightly, making the driving lamps smaller and changing the shape of the turn signals.

[1] Both a limited slip differential and all-around power-assisted disc brake, a first for a Japanese car, were standard.

Only 337 regular production units of the 2000GT were built, figures comparable to contemporary elite Italian supercars, and according to Toyota, all 337 were sold.

In America, a 1968 2000GT listed for about US$7,150[15] ($62,646 in 2023 dollars [16]), a moderately higher price than competitors like the $5,539 Jaguar E-Type[17] or the $6,790 Porsche 911S,[18] though much lower than exotics like the $19,700 Ferrari 365 GTB/4.

[19] Toyota did not sell very many of the cars, which led to its cancellation in 1970, while it did inspire the company to introduce performance oriented "sporty" coupes that followed in the 1970s.

When production of the 2000GT ended, and Toyota had established a reputation of making performance oriented cars, the Celica was exclusively introduced at Toyota Corolla Store locations as the top model, again offering a 2.0L DOHC engine with a manual transmission but more affordably priced.

Carroll Shelby also entered a pair of 2000GTs to compete in the 1968 SCCA production car races in the CP category.