Mebetoys Model #A-29, Toyota 2000 GT

This is an early model in the Mebetoys series and appeared in 1968. It first appeard in the 1968 Mebetoys catalog. The Toyota 2000GT was a prototype car that started as a joint venture between Nissan and Yamaha. When Nissan left the project, Yamaha, who built the engine, partnered with Toyota to produce the 2000GT. Only 360 were made but the car was made famous by the James Bond movie, "You Only Live Twice." The Mebetoys Toyota 2000GT, model number A-29, was converted to make the Gran Toros Toyota 2000GT (model #6617). Both models were made simultaneously until the Hot Wheels Gran Toros series (Series Sputafuoco) was discontinued. After 1972 some of the Mebetoys version of this model (#A-29) were packaged in the third generation European package that had the Gran Toros name on the sticker. Outside of the box this model is indistinguishable from the Series Mebetoys model and has a different base and wheels as the Hot Wheels Gran Toros / Sputafuoco version (model # 6617).