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Repair work begins on priceless Toyota 2000GT crushed by falling tree

12 Comments
By Fran Wrigley

The world’s car fans wept in unison earlier this month when a freak accident caused a 30-meter beech tree to fall on an expensive Toyota 2000GT. Widely recognized as the first Japanese supercar, the 2000GT has been known to sell for over $1 million, and although we were relieved to hear that the driver escaped with only minor cuts and bruises, the photo of his trashed car brought tears to car-lovers’ eyes.

The 2000GT’s regular production run in the late 1960s was so limited that only 351 were ever built, and when these photos emerged of the flattened vehicle, many assumed that the number left in existence had just got that little bit smaller – and the car, therefore, a little rarer. However, Japanese website Nostalgic Car TV reported June 14 that the car in question is to be repaired and restored, promising regular updates as it is brought back to its former glory.

The 2000GT is perhaps best known for its appearance in the 1967 James Bond film "You Only Live Twice," which was mostly filmed on location in Japan. Two specially-built convertibles were made for the movie. It’s said that Sean Connery was finding it difficult to get in and out of the car quickly, so Toyota cut the roof off for him.

Sources: Netorabu, MSN JP

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12 Comments
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Wow, that's hard to see. I hope they fully restore this irreplaceable classic.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Sad to see - the Toyota 2000GT is one of the only Japanese cars that could be described as beautiful. Good luck in the repair work!

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Looks like sodai gomi to me! There is a point where repair is impossible.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

no repair is impossible, all depends on how much money your prepared to throw at a rebuild, by the looks of that car theyll lucky to be able to save 30% of it. the rest will probably be spare parts (probably not much around) and totally hand made panels (super expensive)

0 ( +0 / -0 )

The driver was inside THAT?!?!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Aluminium body weak and difficult to repair.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Hooe to restore the classic Toyota2000GT. Nothing is impossible to repair it depends how much does it take.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Surpisingly theres a lot of the car that can be rescued. Body and trim parts will be a nightmare though.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

They'll restore it cuz now it's famous and will be worth even more.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

@sabre actually it all depends on how its manufactured a aluminium panel made to the same strength as a steel panel is almost always lighter. its just that its very expensive presently. new Aston Martins are are all made of aluminium panels/chassis. cars are 20% lighter and chassis are much stronger than traditional steel.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Its just scratch...it'll buff right out

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Might as well just rebuild it from scratch!

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

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