Short Take, HPI Toyota 2000 GT Set

@nickies 

Did you buy the Datsun 240Z new?

Posted by: @ed-davis

I remember seeing a real Toyota 2000 GT in white at a Chicago Auto Show several years ago. I always liked this style of sports car. Thinking about that, I should probably buy  a new sports car for myself before I get to old to enjoy it.

Many years ago, in Long Beach CA, my son displayed our mint 1972 240z at an all Japanese Car Show. We had the opportunity to look at two 2000 GTs. Both were mint and owned by a local dealer. They are incredibly small and were not suitable for the American market. This is the reason Nissan came with the Z being an evolution from the same designer, 

For those interested in Automotive Archives, history and Manufacturing Engineering, there is an ultimate book about the Toyota 2000 GT. It is very expensive but a vey big book at 350 pages.  It is very rare but I believe some used copies are still available on the market.

Shin Yoshikawa, Toyota 2000 GT, The Complete History of Japan's First Supercar, World Print LTD, Hong Kong, 2002, 350 pages, hard case sleeve.

Here are the book and hard case pictures about the full engineering design through production of the Toyota 2000 GT. This is the ultimate source for anybody interested even in the secret tricks of the 007. All factory photos and blueprints, marketing material, testing, racing and so much more.

I've had several European sports cars. In recent years, I had a Miata and a Ford Fiesta ST. Nickies, my Miata had ANSA exhaust as well. What a sweet sound! When I was young, most of my friends were getting muscle cars and Corvettes. I've always liked Vettes and enjoyed driving them. But I shied away from muscle cars because I enjoyed driving down winding, twisting country and mountain roads. This was not the forte of muscle cars and American sports cars. I loved my MG, 2 TR6s, 2 Fiat X1/9s, Fiat Spyder, and even an XKE. But that Miata! It could drive rings around most far more powerful cars. The transmission was incredible. It offered total driver engagement, and you could drive it at its limits almost anywhere. To top it off...it was reliable! The Fiesta was almost as much fun as the Miata and much more powerful. 

In the final analysis, what's important is that you enjoy your car. If you like big V8s, that's great. If you like something smaller and more agile, that's fine too. They're all part of a great passion! It's what brought us together here!!

Posted by: @mg-harv

You may be confusing 'sports car' with 'muscle car' or 'pony car' or 'grand touring'

You are correct Harv....I probably should have used the terms 'performance' or muscle cars, although I do think if you are calling a car a sports car, it should have at least 300 horsepower to the wheels.

Posted by: @nickies

I had a Corvette as in the video. I kept it for 3 years and not driving it very often. This was ok but not exceptional.

C5 Corvettes are really not exceptional until you add a supercharger. I wasn't impressed with my C5 until I spent the nearly $10K on the supercharger and doubled the horsepower....it goes pretty good now.

Posted by: @jkuvakas

In the final analysis, what's important is that you enjoy your car. If you like big V8s, that's great. If you like something smaller and more agile, that's fine too. They're all part of a great passion! It's what brought us together here!!

I am not getting political here, but you are very good with wording John.....John K for our next president of the US....he would be a HUGE improvement to what we have now! 🤩 

@ben-lampson, nah...I'd have to take a pay cut from my Zone Salary! 😉

@ben-lampson 

Do you think John would have the presidential limousines re-painted in his favorite two color scheme?

As a matter of fact...

Posted by: @jkuvakas

@ben-lampson, nah...I'd have to take a pay cut from my Zone Salary! 😉

Ah come on, take your pay in diecast like I used to do ! 

Then try to find out where to store them all... Lol. 

Steve