Toyota/Shelby 2000GT Serial #1 and 2000GT Convertible
The exhilarating roar that coursed through my body and the thunderous sound of the straight pipe beast made the experience priceless as I captured rolling shots of the Shelby 2000GT this past week. Despite its lack of street legality, we managed to find a block to cruise down. I was leaning out of the window while Evan Yesmentes expertly timed his pace and acceleration to match the striking car, creating the action shots I was aiming for.
I first encountered this remarkable vehicle at The Boston Cup last September. As it made its grand entrance into the Boston Commons, all eyes were on it as it gracefully cruised across the grounds. What a beauty! The sound of its engine reverberated through the park, sending waves of energy through the crowd. Like everyone else, I was captivated by its presence. It was the first time I had seen a 2000GT in person, and not just any 2000GT, but the Toyota/Shelby 2000GT Serial Number #001. Magnificent!
This car has been on my "Cars to Shoot" list for a while, and getting this opportunity allowed me to capture the personality and character of this rare vehicle. Before I approached him, Bob Tkackic, the co-owner, was prepping the car. We discussed setting up a shoot soon to get some exquisite shots. Two of my friends, Evan Yesmentes and Dave Gallagher assisted me in the shoot. Evan has been my go-to driver for most of my rolling shots. We have a system that works very well — it's all about communication and trust. Everything is meticulously planned out before we get in the cars, with safety being our top priority. For this shoot, we only had one block of road to work with for the rolling shots.
When we arrived at Bob’s place, I wasn't sure what to expect. Inside, a torn-apart 1965 Elva MKII sat near an area that showed signs of recent jam sessions. My eyes immediately fell on the 2000GT on the lift, and I examined it meticulously. Bob must have noticed my keen interest because he then opened a garage door on the far wall, revealing a collection of very rare automobiles. It was like discovering hidden treasures behind an old door! I decided that this room, being larger and surrounded by other remarkable cars, would be the perfect setting for the shoot. The lighting was indirect and beautifully showcased the cars. Bob shared the story of how Toyota had wanted the Serial Number 1 car, which he and Peter owned, adding to the intrigue of the shoot.
In pursuit of a favorable deal, Bob and Peter proposed a trade, offering the original prized James Bond convertible in exchange for the Serial Number 1 2000GT. When Toyota declined the offer, undeterred, Bob and Peter took one of their other 2000GTs and modified it, removing the roof to create their own convertible—a James Bond replica. Some may argue that now there are two of these iconic cars. Structurally, both the original and the replica are similar, considering that Toyota's version was initially a hardtop. However, when Sean Connery, portraying Bond, couldn't fit inside without hitting his head on the roof, they chopped off the top, allowing the car to be used in the movie "You Only Live Twice".
The only noticeable difference between the two is the driving side: the original is right-hand drive, while their replica is left-hand drive. They did a superb job recreating theirs and had even more fun driving it.
This Toyota/Shelby 2000GT is the most historically significant car to ever come out of Japan to the US and is one of three cars campaigned by Carroll Shelby. Japan took a unique approach to marketing this vehicle to the public by first wowing fans at the racetrack before making them available for purchase at Toyota showrooms. They raced the cars to generate interest and once they had a following, they produced models to sell. This particular car was driven by Dave Jordan, one of two drivers to race Japan's first sports car in America. Standing near the car, I could feel the history it radiated. The engine's roar told tales of the roads it traveled, the drivers who handled it, and the places it would one day go. I aimed to capture this essence in my photos, focusing on the intricate details.