Gran Toros / Sputafuoco Toyota 2000GT

The Toyota 2000GT was a prototype car that started as a joint venture between Nissan and Yamaha. When Nissan left the project, Yamaha, who built the 2-litre 150 horsepower straight 6-clyinder engine, partnered with Toyota to produce the 2000GT that was introduced at the 1965 Tokyo Motorshow. Less than 360 production units were made but the car was made famous by the James Bond movie, "You Only Live Twice." This Mebetoys model began as Mebetoys model # A-29 and was converted for the Hot Wheels Gran Toros series. Both models were made simultaneously until the Gran Toros was discontinued. The Mebetoys version was numbered A-29 while the Hot Wheels Gran Toros version (Sputafuoco) number is 6617. One of the original Gran Toros, it was part of the Sputafuoco and Heisse Räder Supergorss series and first appeared on the bottom of the North American box and the 1970 Mattel Toyfair catalog, the 1970 Mattel Italian Dealer catalog and the 1970 International catalog.