Davey Jordan came in 2nd overall on July 7, 1968, in the rain at Riverside. Sunbeam Tiger driver Ron Dykes won, and Scooter Patrick ran 3rd.
Photo: Dave Friedman
When Japanese cars first came on the scene, although practical, most were somewhat stodgy. In the mid-’60s, however, Toyota decided to produce a sports car that would rival others of the genre. Japanese designer Satoru Nozaki penned a two-door coupe—the 2000GT—that some feel had styling influenced by the E-Type Jaguar. The in-line, straight-six, front engine was from a Toyota Crown sedan. Yamaha made it into a performer with double-overhead cams and three two-barrel Solex carburetors—also reminiscent of the 6-cylinder Jaguar engine—along with a five-speed transmission. It produced 150 bhp and could go as fast as 135mph.
