 |
 |
|
 |
| 1968 Toyota 2000 GT (SCCA CP 1968): The 2000 GT was built between 1967 and 1970 as a collaboration between Toyota and Yamaha, in limited numbers (350) and it showed that the Japanese could produce a sports car to rival those of Europe. It was the first Japanese supercar. To promote the brand in America, Toyota shipped three cars to Shelby American (including the very first production 2000 GT) to develop and campaign in SCCA C Production in 1968. Toyota had a big budget to spend with the intent on raising brand name awareness in America. Using a Yamaha built engine, Shelby increased the capacity from a 2.0L straight-6, with DOHC to 2.3L, producing 200 HP. Shelby stripped out everything that they could and revised the suspension. The car proved competitive from the beginning and Scooter Patrick drove this car to a 3rd place finish in the SCCA CP Championship. Model by MMP 1/43 |
1968 Toyota 2000 GT (SCCA CP 1968): Shelby aced out Pete Brock's BRE to develop and campaign the 2000 GT in SCCA racing in 1969. Shelby had connections to a lucrative Goodyear tire sponsorship which swung the deal his way. The 2000 GT had development issues, primarily with engines and the SCCA requirement to run Mikuni rather than Weber carbs put the car down on power by about 10 HP. Still, it was a good match to the Porsche 911 and the cars main rival in sales. The 2000 GT cost $6800 new, about the same as a 911 and Jaguar E-Type. Still, with Toyota a relative unknown, only 61 sold in the USA. For a first year of competition, the 2000 GT did very well, with this car driven by Dave Jordan finishing 4th in the SCCA CP Championship behind its sister car and two 911's. Still, Toyota expected better and withdrew its support for the 1969 season. Model by DELPRADO 1/43 |
1968 Toyota 2000 GT: The Shelby Toyota 2000 GT Team Model by MMP & DELPRADO 1/43 |
1969 Toyota 7: Developed in conjunction with Yamaha, the car was designed for use in the Japanese Grand Prix under the FIA's Group 7 rules, Yamaha constructed the chassis while the new 5.0 litre V8 engine capable of 600 hp, was built by Toyota. This, Toyota's first purpose built race car, had moderate success racing in Japan. Plans to race in the Can-Am series did not materialize. Model by EBBRO 1/43 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| 1973 Toyota Corolla SR5: In 1973, Toyota introduced the SR5 as part of the Corolla range. SR5 stood for "sport racer 5-speed" and the cars produced in 1973-74 were all out boy racers. With bolt-on fender flares and stiffer suspension, they were the grandfather of today's high-performance Japanese cars. US versions received the 1.6L OHV four, which produced 105 bhp. Model by EBBRO 1/43 |
1974 Toyota Corolla SR5: This is a picture of my trusty SR5 from back in the day. I bought the car new in early 1974 and used it through the next few years in rallies and even some track racing. I learned competitive driving in this car, which was pretty forgiving and only bit me a couple times when I out drove its capabilities. New, mine cost just over $3,000 USD or approximately $16K in today's money; still great value! Truly a sentimental favorite and often wish I had it back. Model by TOYOTA 1/1 |
1973 Levin J TE27: The 'home market' name for what was known as Corolla in the USA, was Levin J. Home market cars had the 1.6L twin-cam and dual side-draft carbs and were good for over 120 mph. In this age of renewed interest in older Japanese sedans, theese cars are now selling for several times over their original price. I cut my teeth in racing with a '74 SR5 and wish I had a 1/1 scale one still today - great fun! Model by EBBRO 1/43 |
1973 Levin J (Corolla SR5): Someone asked me recently, "of all the cars you have owned, which has been your favorite?" I have to say My Toyota Corolla SR5. I have had cars that were faster, handled better and looked better. Its an emotional attachment words cant do justice to. Lots of great times and memories wrapped up in that car, plus it was fun to drive! Model by HPI IG 1/43 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| 1973 Toyota Starlet (KP47): Smaller brother of the Corolla, Toyota began producing the Starlet in both 1.0L and 1.2L coupe versions in 1973 and first generation Starlets (KP47) were produced until 1978 and were popular race cars in Japan due to their low cost and performance. In late 1973, TMSC-R, which was Toyota's racing development department, entered two cars in the final round of the 1.3L touring car series at Fuji. They beat the dominant Nissan Sunny's but direct factory involvement ended due to the oil crisis. One of two entries at Fuji, this car was driven by Toyota factory driver Hiroyuki Kukidome to first place in the Fuji Victory 200km; its sister car came in second. Kukidome set the pole for the race in the 1.2L fuel-injected, DOHC, twenty-four valve car. Starlet development would be left to Tachi Oiwa Motor Sport (TOM'S) in 1974, as would all other Toyota racing development going forward. Model by REVE COLLECTION (SPARK) 1/43 |
1978 Toyota Celica: Entered into the 1978 Acropolis Rally, a rally held on very dusty, rough and rocky mountain roads around Athens during the Greek hot summer period, Toyota sponsored this Greek entry driven by Evangelos Gallo and co-driver Andreas Arkentis. Due to the nature of the rally, with a mix of rough, twisty mountain stages and coupled with blistering heat and choking dust, the Acropolis Rally is one of the toughest on the world rally circuit. This car finished 8th overall and 1st in class. Model by SOLIDO 1/43 |
1992 Toyota Celica GT-Four: The Celica GT-Four is a high performance model of the Celica liftback, with a potent 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 190 bhp, and full-time AWD. It was created to compete in the World Rally Championship, whose regulations dictate that a manufacturer must build road-going versions of the vehicle in sufficient numbers. Model by TROFEAU 1/43 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| 1992 Toyota Celica GT-4WD: 1992 Monte Carlo Rally winner with Luis Moya and Carlos Sainz. Sainz holds the WRC records for most career starts, podium finishes and points. The Toyota Celica GT-Four is a high performance model of the Celica liftback, with a turbocharged 3S-GTE engine, and full-time AWD. It was created to compete in the World Rally Championship, whose regulations dictate that a manufacturer must build road-going versions of the vehicle in sufficient numbers. Carlos Sainz won the 1992 World Rally Championship. Model by TROFEU 1/43 |
1992 Toyota Celica GT-4WD: Rallye de Portugal 1992, this Toyota Europe entered machine driven by Markku Alen finished 4th. The Celica GT-Four ST165 made its World Rally Championship (WRC) debut in the 1988. Toyota's most successful rally car, it won the WRC Driver's Championship in 1992, and the WRC Manufacturer's and Driver's Championships in 1993 and 1994. I have a friend in Canada that owned one of these cars and it was truly phenomenal in the snow and ice. Model by TROFEU 1/43 |
1992 Toyota TS010 (Le Mans 1992): Toyota Team Toms brought four cars to Le Mans in 1992. Three cars to race and one as a practice car which under new rules could be run with a sprint engine to establish grid positions. Toyota's qualified in third and fourth places, with this car qualifying fifth driven by the trio of Kenny Acheson, Piere-Henri Raphanel and Masanori Sekiya. Unlike their teammates, this team ran almost a trouble free race to finish 2nd overall and split the Peugeot team finishing first and third. The car suffered a misfire towards the end of the race, but Acheson was able to hold off the third place Peugeot. Built and developed in England, the TS010 was designed with an advanced composites monocoque which provided great structural strength. The carbon/Kevlar body was designed for maximum downforce, including its F1 style rear wing. It developed 660 bhp from its 3.5L V10 engine. Model by IXO 1/43 |
1992 Toyota TS010 (Le Mans 1992): Jan Lammers, Andy Wallace and Teo Fabi (all ex-Jaguar drivers) teamed up to drive the Toyota TS010 entered by TOM's (Tachi Oiwa Motor Sport), a factory supported racing team and tuner at Le Mans in 1992. Starting from 4th on the grid, the team was as high in the order as third place before disaster struck. Wallace had a tire burst at 200 mph an after a long pitstop and later the engine developed a misfire; with another long stop for a new clutch. The team fought on, ultimately finishing 8th. Designed by former Jaguar designer Tony Southgate, the car carried over several XJR styling cues. Powered by a twenty valve V10 of 3.5L, producing 600bhp, the TS010 was serious competition in Group C in 1992 and again in 1993. Model by EBBRO 1/43 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| 1993 Toyota TS010: With the World Sportscar and All Japan Prototype Championships cancelled in 1993, Toyota only had Le Mans on the calendar to race their Group C prototype. The Tony Southgate designed TS010 had done well in 1992 and the British/Japanese TOM's team had finished 2nd at Le Mans that year. Back with three new chassis with improved aerodynamics and suspension for 1993, TOM's employed future F1 racer Eddie Irvine, Toshio Suzuki and Masanori Sekyia to drive this car. They were up against the dominant Peugeot 905 Evo. Irvine put this car second on the pole and set the fastest lap during the race, but the Toyota which once led the race succumbed to a number of setbacks, with a transmission replacement at the three quarters mark costing them a podium finish. 3.5L V10 engined car eventually finished 4th behind the Peugeot 1-2-3 rout. No where else to run, Le Mans was the only race for this car. Model by GRAND PRIX MODELS STUDIO/STARTER 1/43 |
1993 Eagle-Toyota MkIII GTP (SEBRING WINNER): Driven by Juan Manuel Fangio III and Andy Wallace to victory at Sebring in 1993, it was the second consecutive year the pair had driven this car to the winners circle at the twelve hour race. Designed and built by Dan Gurney's All-American Racers, the Mk III's dominated IMSA GTP racing in '92 & '93. They scored 21 of 27 races, including 14 straight earning Toyota the manufacturers title and Fangio II the drivers title both years. A Toyota 2.7L four, turbo producing 700 bhp provided the power to smoke the competition in the IMSA Camel GTP class. Model by TRUE SCALE 1/43 |
1993 Eagle-Toyota MkIII GTP (DAYTONA WINNER): Before the win at Sebring in 1993, Dan Gurney's All American Racers won Daytona, with P.J. Jones, Rocky Moran and Mark Dismore driving this MkIII Eagle to the win. It was the start of a great year in IMSA for AAR and Toyota. Jones and Moran drove this car to a 3rd place at Sebring and second at Mid-Ohio. Between Jones and teammate Juan Manuel Fangio III, they would win 10 of the 11 IMSA GTP races in 1993. The only race they didn't win was at Road America, which they didn't enter. 1993 was the final year of the GTP class in IMSA racing, with factory support and Camel sponsorship ending, it was the end of a great era. Model by TRUE SCALE MODELS 1/43 |
1994 Toyota 94C-V: Toyota Team SARD finished in 2nd place overall (1st in class) at Le Mans in 1994, with Eddie Irvine, Mauro Martini and Jeff Krosnoff at the wheel. The car was powered by the R36V 3.6 L Turbo V8, which produced about 600 bhp. This was the swan song for Toyota's Group C efforts and they moved on to production based cars for racing and ultimately, the GT-One project. Model by ALTAYA/IXO 1/43 |
 |
 |
 |
| 1993 Toyota Celica GT-4WD: The 1000 Lakes Rally, or Rally Finland is the fastest event on the World Rally Championship calendar. Now known as the Neste Oil Rally Finland, the rally is driven on wide and smooth gravel roads, featuring blind crests and big jumps. In 1993 Finnish rally star Juha Kankkunen with French co-driver Denis Giraudet won the rally in this Group A Toyota. 1993 saw Kankkunen win the World Rally Championship, his fourth and one of his 23 wins over his career. Model by ALTAYA 1/43 |
1998 Toyota GT One: Keiichi Tsuchiya, Ukyou Katayama and Toshio Suzuki drove this Toyota Motorsports entry to 9th place overall at Le Mans in 1998. The GT-One was originally developed for GT1, but was eventually adapted to Le Mans protoype racing for 1998. The carbon fiber chassis car was developed by Toyota Team Europe in association with Dallara, the mid-engine prototype being powered by a 3.6 L Twin-Turbo V8, producing 600 bhp. At Le Mans 1998, Martin Brundle set fastest lap in one of the team GT-One's and the thrird team car held 2nd place until the final hour when transmission failure left this car as the sole GT-One survivor. Model by ONYX 1/43 |
1999 Toyota GT-One: Developed by Toyota Team Europe in conjunction with Dallara in Germany, the GT-One was built to contest the GT1 class at Le Mans and compete against the might of Mercedes and Porsche. Raced at Le Mans in both 1998 and 1999, this car (Ch. LM804) was 1 of 7 built and powered by its 3.6L twin-turbo V8, was as quick as the competition. Although it crashed in '98, it finished 2nd at Le Mans in 1999 (starting from pole position), with Ukyo Katayama, Keiichi Tsuchiya and Toshio Suzuki driving. Model by IXO 1/43 |
 |
 |
 |
| 2018 Toyota TS050 Hybrid (LE MANS WINNER - 2018): After years of coming close, Toyota finally got is outright win at Le Mans in 2018, with the Toyota Gazoo Racing team finishing two laps ahead of the other Toyota in second place. Expected to dominate in LMP1 in absence of other direct factory entries, the two Toyota's led from start to finish. Two-time F1 World Champion Fernando Alonso and former F1 racers Kazuki Nakajima and Sebasttien Buemi set pole in the #8 car. A strong performance by Alonso in the night and then by Nakajima allowed the team to retake the lead from its sister car in the 16th hour and not relinquish it for the rest of the race. Developed in 2016, the TS050 is powered by a biturbo 2.4L V6, with 8 mega joule hybrid power; each producing 500 hp for a combined 1,000 hp. For Le Mans it used a 7-speed sequential gear box. Model by SPARK 1/43 |
2019 Toyota TS050 Hybrid (LE MANS WINNER - 2019): 2019 was the 87th running of the Le Mans 24-Hours and also the final round of the 2018-2019 FIA Endurance Championship. The two Toyota TS050 Hybrid's entered by Toyota Gazoo Racing (relatively unchanged from 2018) occupied the front row at the start, as the #7 car out qualified its sister car and dominated the majority of the race, the #8 car taking the race lead on the other car's pit stops. Leading in the 23rd hour, the #7 car had a faulty tire pressure sensor indicate that the wrong tire was punctured. Slowing to avoid mishap on its way back to the pits, it was passed by the #8 car driven by Fernando Alonso, Sebastian Buemi and Kazuki Nakajima. They held onto the race lead taking the victory seventeen seconds ahead of their teammates. It was the second consecutive win for the trio and the second consecutive Le Mans win for Toyota, Alsonso, Buemi and Nakajima also took the World Endurance Championship for themselves as drivers and Toyota as manufacturer. Model by SPARK 1/43 |
2020 Toyota TS050 Hybrid (LE MANS WINNER - 2020): Model by SPARK 1/43 |
Back to: OLD IRISH RACING MODELS INDEX Home Page
For copies of images, questions or comments about the collection to: OLD IRISH RACING
Back to: OLD IRISH RACING Home Page
Legal stuff: Content and images on this website are the property of Old Irish Racing and may not be used without permission. © Old Irish Racing 2018-2019
PLEASE NOTE: From 1968 into the 1990's tobacco companies sponsored many significant race cars. We don't promote tobacco use, rather we stronly discourage it. However, we do promote historical accuracy, Old Irish Racing chooses to display models in our collection as historically accurate as possible. While seeing a tobacco advert on a car gives me no more desire to go smoke than seeing a car makes me want to go suck on its exhaust pipe. If tobacco (or alcohol) adverts on race cars offend you, please go look at nice pictures of bunnies and kittens on another site. Thank you!