A Japanese automotive legend goes down.
The Toyota 2000GT is one of the most iconic Japanese automobiles ever produced. Only 351 models of the front-engined, rear-wheel drive sports car were produced from 1967 to 1970. The cars received high praise and established themselves as viable threats to European sports cars at the time. Still today, the 2000GTs fetch astonishing prices, even breaking into the $1.0 million mark.
Unfortunately, Sunday, June 8th saw one of the 351 Toyota 2000GTs get pancaked by a falling tree in Gokayama, Japan. While the 28-year-old driver of the car was driving down a road, a decaying tree fell right atop the car, completely destroying it. Luckily, the driver only suffered cuts and scrapes, but still had to be taken to the hospital.
モノホン2000GTグチャグチャとかどんなアクション映画でもみれねぇよ これ本人相当キてるだろうなぁ pic.twitter.com/1FswXJL3Ht
— mirag (@mirag32) June 8, 2014
The area where the tree fell is a very historic part of the country and local authorities had been warned that the 6.2-foot-diameter tree was decaying from the inside-out. The local preservation society, however, prohibited the tree from being cut down. Ironically, the effort to preserve the history of the area resulted in the destruction of a piece of Japanese automotive history.
まじか 2000gtが #NHK pic.twitter.com/ZxasLydpiv
— 銀春子（隠れ銀八） (@toyodaginpachi) June 8, 2014
With the Toyota 2000GT being such a rare icon, we have no doubt that the car will be restored and rebuilt. Although, this looks like it will be a very long and tough job to fix.
Source: Japanese Nostalgic Car, Twitter
How hard is it to see a Toyota 2000GT in this state?
