The world of James Bond is synonymous with fast cars, sophisticated gadgets, and daring escapades. The vehicles driven by 007 have become as iconic as the secret agent himself. From the Aston Martin DB5 to the Lotus Esprit submarine car, Bond’s rides are legendary. But one vehicle frequently mentioned in the same breath as these classics is the Toyota 2000GT. So, did James Bond ever actually drive this Japanese beauty? The answer, surprisingly, is a bit more complex than a simple yes or no.
The Toyota 2000GT: A Japanese Automotive Icon
Before diving into Bond’s connection to the 2000GT, it’s crucial to understand what made this car so special. The Toyota 2000GT was a groundbreaking vehicle that debuted in 1967. It was a collaborative effort between Toyota and Yamaha, aiming to demonstrate Japan’s burgeoning automotive engineering prowess.
The car boasted a sleek, elegant design with a long hood, pop-up headlights, and a fastback roofline. Its styling was heavily influenced by European sports cars, particularly the Jaguar E-Type, but with a distinctly Japanese flair. This combination of beauty and performance made it an instant classic.
Under the hood, the 2000GT featured a 2.0-liter inline-six engine, producing around 150 horsepower. This engine, coupled with a five-speed manual transmission and a limited-slip differential, allowed the car to achieve impressive performance for its time. It could reach a top speed of 135 mph and accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in around 8.4 seconds.
The 2000GT was more than just a pretty face. It was packed with advanced features, including four-wheel independent suspension, disc brakes on all four wheels, and a wooden steering wheel. These features contributed to the car’s excellent handling and braking capabilities.
Only 351 units of the Toyota 2000GT were ever produced between 1967 and 1970, making it an incredibly rare and highly sought-after collectible today. Its limited production run and exceptional design have cemented its status as a true automotive icon.
The Bond Connection: You Only Live Twice
The connection between James Bond and the Toyota 2000GT stems from the 1967 film “You Only Live Twice,” which was largely set in Japan. Initially, the producers wanted Bond, played by Sean Connery, to drive a standard 2000GT. However, Connery’s height presented a significant problem.
Sean Connery, standing at 6’2″, struggled to comfortably fit inside the coupe. The car’s low roofline made it difficult for him to enter and exit the vehicle, and his head often brushed against the roof. This posed a practical challenge for filming action sequences and driving scenes.
To overcome this issue, Toyota ingeniously created two open-top versions of the 2000GT specifically for the film. These roadsters were custom-built without a roof, allowing Connery to comfortably drive the car without any height restrictions.
It’s important to note that James Bond himself, Sean Connery, never actually drove the open-top 2000GT roadster. Instead, the car was driven by Bond’s ally, Aki, played by actress Akiko Wakabayashi. Aki becomes an important ally to Bond throughout the mission.
The white Toyota 2000GT roadster driven by Aki became one of the most memorable vehicles in the Bond franchise. Its appearance in “You Only Live Twice” helped to further elevate the car’s status and introduce it to a global audience.
Why the Confusion Persists
Despite the fact that Bond himself didn’t drive the 2000GT, the association between the two remains strong. There are several reasons for this persistent confusion:
- Iconic Status: The Toyota 2000GT is an undeniably iconic car, and its appearance in a Bond film automatically links it to the world of 007. The car’s beautiful design and limited production run have made it a legend in its own right.
- Memorable Role: The car played a significant role in “You Only Live Twice,” even though it wasn’t driven by Bond. Its presence in several key scenes and its association with Bond’s ally, Aki, made it a memorable part of the film.
- Marketing and Popular Culture: The Bond franchise has a long history of promoting and showcasing various products, including cars. The association between Bond and the 2000GT has been reinforced through marketing materials and popular culture references over the years.
- General Misunderstanding: Many people simply assume that Bond drove the car because it was featured prominently in a Bond film. The nuances of who actually drove the car can easily be overlooked.
Because of this long-standing association, many car enthusiasts believe that James Bond drove the Toyota 2000GT. However, it’s more correct to say that a Bond girl, Aki, drove the modified version for the film.
The Real Star: Aki’s Toyota 2000GT
While James Bond didn’t drive the 2000GT, the car became synonymous with the character of Aki in “You Only Live Twice.” Aki’s driving skills and the car’s performance were showcased in several exciting scenes, making her a formidable ally to Bond.
The open-top 2000GT roadster added a unique visual element to the film. Its sleek design and white color stood out against the backdrop of Japan, creating a striking image. The car also featured several gadgets, including a hidden video screen and a voice-activated self-destruct system.
The creation of the open-top 2000GT was a testament to Toyota’s engineering capabilities and willingness to accommodate the needs of the film production. It also highlighted the car’s versatility and potential for customization.
While the standard 2000GT is a beautiful car in its own right, the open-top version created for “You Only Live Twice” has become particularly iconic. It represents a unique chapter in the history of both the Bond franchise and the Toyota 2000GT. The modification created an extremely rare and desirable car.
Beyond the Film: The 2000GT’s Legacy
The Toyota 2000GT’s appearance in “You Only Live Twice” undoubtedly contributed to its enduring legacy. However, the car’s significance extends far beyond its role in a Bond film.
The 2000GT is widely regarded as the first true Japanese sports car. It demonstrated that Japanese automakers could compete with their European and American counterparts in terms of design, performance, and technology. It was a turning point for the Japanese auto industry.
The car’s success helped to pave the way for future Japanese sports cars, such as the Nissan Z series, the Mazda RX-7, and the Acura NSX. These cars built upon the foundation laid by the 2000GT and helped to establish Japan as a major player in the global automotive market.
Today, the Toyota 2000GT is a highly sought-after collector’s item. Its rarity, beauty, and historical significance have made it one of the most valuable Japanese cars ever produced. Examples in good condition can fetch prices well into the six-figure range at auctions.
The 2000GT remains a symbol of Japanese automotive innovation and design excellence. Its legacy continues to inspire car enthusiasts and designers around the world.
So, Did Bond Drive It? A Final Verdict
To definitively answer the question, no, James Bond did not personally drive the Toyota 2000GT in “You Only Live Twice.” The open-top roadster version of the car was driven by Aki, Bond’s ally, played by Akiko Wakabayashi.
While Bond’s direct association with the car is a common misconception, the 2000GT’s presence in the film is undeniable. It remains one of the most memorable vehicles in the Bond franchise and has contributed significantly to the car’s enduring legacy.
The Toyota 2000GT is a true automotive icon, regardless of who was behind the wheel in “You Only Live Twice.” Its beauty, performance, and historical significance have secured its place in automotive history.
Did James Bond actually drive a Toyota 2000GT in any of the official James Bond films?
No, James Bond never actually drove a Toyota 2000GT in any of the official Eon Productions James Bond films. While the car is often associated with the franchise, this connection stems from a potential collaboration that ultimately never materialized into a full-fledged appearance on screen driven by Bond himself. The popular myth has persisted for years due to various factors, including the car’s iconic status and its suitability for the suave and sophisticated image of James Bond.
The misunderstanding likely originates from the film You Only Live Twice (1967). Although Bond did not drive the car, a heavily modified, open-top version of the Toyota 2000GT was driven by Aki, a Japanese secret agent who assists Bond. This bespoke creation was specially made for the film because Sean Connery, who played Bond at the time, was too tall to comfortably fit inside the standard coupe. Thus, while the 2000GT has a strong connection to the Bond universe, it remains a supporting character’s vehicle rather than a personal car of 007.
Why was a convertible Toyota 2000GT specially created for *You Only Live Twice*?
A convertible version of the Toyota 2000GT was specifically created for the James Bond film You Only Live Twice because Sean Connery, the actor portraying James Bond, was too tall to comfortably fit inside the standard, hardtop coupe. The production team realized this issue early on and decided that a custom modification was necessary to allow Bond to appear in the vehicle without looking cramped or uncomfortable. This decision ultimately led to the iconic, roofless design that has since become synonymous with the film’s association with the 2000GT.
Toyota had only manufactured a handful of 2000GTs at the time, making the request for a convertible modification quite significant. While some sources claim two convertibles were made, only one functional car was actually used during filming, with the second rumored to be a static display model. The creation of this unique open-top version not only addressed the practical issue of Connery’s height but also added a distinctive visual element to the film, further enhancing the car’s mystique and solidifying its place in Bond lore.
What modifications were made to the Toyota 2000GT for its appearance in *You Only Live Twice*?
The primary modification made to the Toyota 2000GT for You Only Live Twice was the removal of its roof, effectively converting it into a convertible roadster. This alteration required significant structural reinforcement to maintain the car’s rigidity, as the roof played a crucial role in its overall chassis integrity. Additionally, some subtle cosmetic changes might have been made to blend the modified roofline with the rest of the car’s design, though detailed specifics are scarce.
Beyond the obvious removal of the roof, the car retained most of its original features, including its distinctive pop-up headlights, sleek body lines, and elegant interior. The engine and drivetrain remained untouched, ensuring that the convertible 2000GT performed just as well as its hardtop counterpart. This careful balance of modification and preservation allowed the car to retain its iconic identity while also serving the practical needs of the film production.
Who drove the Toyota 2000GT in *You Only Live Twice*?
In You Only Live Twice, the Toyota 2000GT convertible was driven by Aki, a Japanese secret agent working alongside James Bond. Aki’s character played a significant role in assisting Bond during his mission in Japan, and the 2000GT served as her primary mode of transportation, showcasing its capabilities and highlighting its connection to the local intelligence community.
The decision to have Aki drive the car instead of Bond himself was primarily driven by the physical limitations mentioned previously. However, it also served to introduce a strong female character and showcase the advancements in Japanese automotive technology at the time. While James Bond interacted with the car, he was never depicted driving it himself, firmly establishing Aki as the driver associated with the iconic vehicle in the film.
Is the Toyota 2000GT a rare and valuable car today?
Yes, the Toyota 2000GT is considered an extremely rare and valuable car today. Only 351 examples were produced between 1967 and 1970, making it one of the most sought-after Japanese classic cars in the world. Its limited production numbers, coupled with its stunning design and impressive performance, have contributed to its high market value and collector appeal.
The car’s rarity and historical significance have resulted in auction prices regularly exceeding $1 million USD for well-preserved examples. Its association with the James Bond franchise, even indirectly, has further enhanced its desirability among collectors. The Toyota 2000GT represents a pinnacle of Japanese automotive engineering and design from the 1960s, solidifying its status as a highly prized and valuable classic.
Did Toyota benefit from the association of the 2000GT with the James Bond franchise?
Yes, Toyota undoubtedly benefited from the association of the 2000GT with the James Bond franchise, even though Bond himself never drove the car. The exposure gained through the film You Only Live Twice introduced the 2000GT to a global audience, showcasing Toyota’s engineering capabilities and design prowess on an international stage. This helped to elevate Toyota’s brand image and establish its reputation as a manufacturer capable of producing sophisticated and desirable vehicles.
While the 2000GT was not a commercially successful model in terms of sales volume, its appearance in the Bond film served as a powerful marketing tool, projecting an image of innovation and sophistication that resonated with consumers worldwide. This contributed to the overall perception of Toyota as a modern and forward-thinking automaker, paving the way for future success in the global automotive market.
Are there other James Bond cars with mistaken identities or historical inaccuracies surrounding them?
Yes, there are indeed other James Bond cars that have been subject to mistaken identities or historical inaccuracies over time. One prominent example is the Lotus Esprit S1 from The Spy Who Loved Me (1977), often mistakenly referred to as a “submarine car” due to its underwater capabilities in the film. While the movie car could transform into a submarine, this was achieved through elaborate special effects and prop construction, not by modifying a standard Esprit S1.
Another example involves the Aston Martin DB5, often perceived as being equipped with all the gadgets seen in Goldfinger (1964) as standard features. In reality, the DB5 used in the film was heavily modified with fictional gadgets, and most production models lacked these features. These cases highlight how the fictionalized world of James Bond can sometimes blur the lines between reality and fantasy, leading to misconceptions about the capabilities and characteristics of the vehicles featured in the films.