By Speedhunters

Car Culture At Large

How about a new desktop wallpaper to start off the work week? Widescreen and standard versions of this Toyota 2000GT vs. Lancia Stratos photo are available now in Speedhunter’s Desktops section.

Looking at this picture makes me think about tonight’s dinner options. Japanese or Italian?

By Mike Garrett

By Speedhunters

Car Culture At Large

I wanted to put up these photos of the incredible Toyota 2000GT that was made famous for its top speed testing at the old (defunct) Yatabe Test Track, which is coincidentally really close to where Mike Garrett lives in Japan. When we were all together in Japan in August, Mike showed me and Rod where the remnants of the track were, and you can still see evidence of the banking and trees. They need to construct a Yatabe memorial there sometime.

Anyway, all the info in the story below was told to me about 6 months ago by my friend Ricky Silverio, who is a professional automotive encyclopedia. I don’t know how he does it, but this guy somehow manages to learn, index and retain automotive information in his head. He his an automotive style guru of many genres of car culture, who in my opinion, is always several years ahead of what other people are into. Continue reading Speedhunters

By Antonio Alvendia

By Sam Barer

Sound Classics

In the world of automotive trivia—and certainly when getting knee-deep in the minutia of collector car trivia—it is near-impossible not to offend someone with a question or answer. Like in previous years, it seems that this year’s Sound Classics’ Classically-Tough Trivia Quiz has drawn the ire of a blogger over at least one issue.

The question and answer from the quiz was this:

This auto company contracted Yamaha and stylist Albrecht von Goertz in 1963 to create a two seat sports car. (1 pt)

Answer: Although Toyota eventually built the 2000GT, it was Nissan which originally contracted Yamaha and stylist Albrecht Goertz in 1963 to create a two seat sports car. Backing out after the initial prototype, Yamaha approached Toyota.

The Japanese Nostalgic Car blog writes:

No, no, no, no, no! How many times do we have to say this? Albrecht von Goertz did not design the Toyota 2000GT. As numerous Japanese books, as well as Shin-Yoshikawa’s bilingual Toyota 2000GT: the Complete History of Japan’s First Supercar states, it was Toyota designer Satoru Nozaki that penned it.

So who’s right? Well both, actually! Continue reading after the jump!

Continue reading "Stand Up and Be "Count"ed: Did Goertz Design the 2000GT?" »