The Toyota Museum in Torrance, CA houses a collection of milestone vehicles representing Toyota’s history in the U.S. It is valued at over $17 million, and includes a variety of vehicles dating from 1958 to present, as well as a considerable assortment of motorsports vehicles. Opening in January 2000, it is the only Toyota Museum outside Japan; the Toyota Automobile Museum is located in Nagoya, Japan.

The museum is open to the public, with reservations required. To schedule an appointment, contact Susan Sanborn at 310-468-8726 or email [email protected]. With the coporate move to Texas, it isnt clear how long the museum and its collection will stay in Southern California, so make sure you check it out soon! Here are a few of our favorites!

 

1961 FJ25 Land Cruiser

1961 Toyota FJ25 Land Cruiser Toyota Museum Torrance

The Land Cruiser, introduced in 1958, was one of the first models sold by Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc. It was first tested in 1951, climbing the sixth station of Mt. Fuji – the first motor vehicle to accomplish this drive.

6-cylinder OHV 135 hp

Retail price: $3,050

1961 sales totaled 249

 

1967 Toyota 2000GT

Toyota 2000 GT Toyota Museum Torrance1

The Toyota 2000GT appeared as a prototype at the 1965 Tokyo Motor Show and was introduced as a production model in 1967. Toyota hired British model/actress Twiggy to stand alongside the car on stage at the 14th Tokyo Motor Show in October 1967. Twiggy went on to own #10130, and the car appeared in the British TV sitcom Ugliest Girl in Town. The 2000GT also appeared in the 1967 James Bond movie You Only Live Twice. Bond actor Daniel Craig named the 2000GT as his favorite Bond car.

6-cyl DOHC
150 hp @ 6,600 rpm
Retail price: $7,230
337 were produced; 54 were imported to North America

 

1971 Celica ST

1971 Toyota Celica ST Toyota Museum Torrance

The first “sporty” car in Toyota’s linuep to be sold in America.

4-cylinder in-line SOHC. 108 hp @ 5500 rpmRetail price: $2,598

1971 sales totaled 17,572

 

1982 Celica Supra

1982 Toyota Celica Supra Toyota Museum

The 1982 Toyota Celica Supra was the flagship of the Celica family.

6-cylinder DOHC

145 hp @ 5,600 rpm

Retail price: $14,900

 

1984 SR5 Truck

Toyota Tacoma Back to the Future Toyota Museum Torrance

A black 1984 Toyota SR5 was featured in the movie Back to the Future.

22R 4-cylinder SOHV EFI

100 hp @ 4,800 rpm

Retail price: $8,958

 

1993 Supra Turbo

1993 Toyota Supra Turbo Toyota Museum1

The Toyota Supra made the duPont Registry’s “Top 100 Cars of the Century” in 1999.

6-cylinder DOHC Turbo320 hp @ 5,600 rpm

Acceleration: 0-60 mph in 4.6 seconds

Retail price: $39,900

1993 sales totaled 2,887

 

The 2000 ‘Ultimate Celica’

2000 Toyota Celica Toyota Museum Torrance

The Ultimate Celica was engineered by Toyota, Rod Millen Motorsports, and Toyota Racing Developement.

2.0-liter, 4-cylinder, twin cam, 16-valve, iron block with aluminum alloy head

All-wheel drive

500 hp @ 8,000 rpm

349 lbs.-ft. of torque @ 5,500 rpm

 

Lexus LFA Super Car

Lexus LFA Toyota Museum Torrance

Three concept versions of the Lexus LFA were created, the first making its global debut at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show. Production began in December 2010 with a starting price of $375,000. Production ended in December 2012 with 500 vehicles produced.

 

Lexus 2054 Minority Report Concept

Lexus 2054 Minority Report Concept Toyota Museum

The Lexus 2054 is a concept car designed for the 2002 Steven Spielberg film Minority Report.

 

Eagle MKIII GTP

Toyota Eagle MKIII GTP Toyota Museum

Built and raced by Dan Gurney’s All-American Racers, the Toyota Eagle MKIII was arguably the greatest car ever seen in IMSA competition. Debuting in July 1991, the car won 21 of the 27 races it entered, including the 24 Hours of Daytona and a pair of Sebring 12-Hour victories. In two full seasons of competition, it carried Juan Manuel Fangio II to the 1992 and 1993 GTP Driver’s Championships, and Toyota to the 1992 and 1993 IMSA GTP manufacturer’s titles.

 

1975 Celica Pace Car and Dan Gurney Race Car

Toyota Celica Pace Car Toyota Museum Torrance

The Celica ST served as pace car for the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach from 1975 until 2004 when it was replaced by the 2004 Solara.

Next to the Celica pace car is the A40 Celica driven by pro racer Dan Gurney in the Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race.

 

This list is just a small portion of all the cool cars in the Toyota Museum! Make sure you get over to Torrance and check it out!