“It’s a real 2000GT!” whispered Mr. Shihomi Hosoya after examining the model car carefully.
From a man involved in the development of the original Toyota 2000GT, these words carry much weight. Something in the small photo that featured in the Model Car Corner’s new product section of the early November edition of this magazine prompted Mr. Hosoya to contact Kyosho straight away.
It is a great honor for a model car maker to attract the interest of a member from the original development team. However, this was not just a chance for some ceremonial recognition but also an opportunity for someone with intimate knowledge of the original car to share information.
On the day he received the samurai 2000GT models, Mr. Hosoya and all those involved in the production and marketing of the Rocky 3000GT, a 2000GT replica car gathered at the RockyAuto factory. With this group of 2000GT experts, Mr. Hosoya drew the analogy that building the Rocky 3000GT was like creating the ultimate 1/1 size model car!

When first handed the 1/12 model car, a smile crept across Mr. Hosoya’s face, and then he slowly but carefully examined it. After a meticulous assessment, he smiled fully and made his first pronouncement “It’s a real 2000GT!”
With its immaculately formed press lines, bonnet, fender, and door panel joins, Kyosho has used the resin-cast process and 3D CAD data from comprehensive measurement to scale down the 2000GT with impeccable precision. Usually during the scaling down process adjustments are made, but no such short cuts have been taken with this model. Size reduction has been achieved without disturbing the balance while maintaining the beauty of the 2000GT’s original body form. Mr. Hosoya was impressed that “the distinctive Nozaki-lines, the body lines designed by Mr. Satoru Nozaki, are exactly as he created them”.
When Mr. Hosoya was asked if he would keep a couple of 2000GT models at home he replied “they could be kept in my study, so I can admire them at any time” and then straight away he mentioned with a broad smile on his face “but I will keep them at the entrance as you walk in the front door. I want everyone who comes to see them, so 2 models will make a good display”.
It is an overwhelming endorsement from the man who knows more than anyone about the original machine, who loves the 2000GT more than anyone else, to want to display the Samurai Series 2000GT and have them within reach to admire and enjoy. A model worthy of being passed down for generations has been born.

There are many cars that do not feature the distinctive centerline on the 2000GT. On the Kyosho model, Mr. Hosoya was greatly impressed by the beautiful recreation of this press line.

The single line flowing down the body side is a major feature of the 2000GT. Visual comparison of this line with the original car indicates that this has also been perfectly recreated.

Impressive interior style and construction is also a feature.

Mr. Hosoya’s smiles broadly on receipt of the Pegasus-White 2000GT presented by Ms. Ryoko Tanaka from Kyosho Global Marketing.

Discussing with Mr. Eihiro Okabe, leader of product design and development from the Hobby Sales Dept. Diecast Group.

From a picture of the product development process map, there are several questions that arise. Only Mr. Hosoya, who had experience in the development of full-size automobiles, understood the difficulties of the manufacturing side.

After seeing the measurement data transformed into 3D CAD data, Mr. Hosoya described the results as “amazingly beautiful. The 2000GT can be accurately reproduced.”

Commemorative photo of Mr. Hosoya, with Ms. Tanaka, Mr. Okabe and manager of Global Marketing Mr. Takayuki Yajima.

When Mr. Hosoya was asked if he would keep a couple of 2000GT models at home he replied “they could be kept in my study, so I can admire them at any time” and then straight away he mentioned with a broad smile on his face “but I will keep them at the entrance as you walk in the front door. I want everyone who comes to see them, so 2 models will make a good display”.
It is an overwhelming endorsement from the man who knows more than anyone about the original machine, who loves the 2000GT more than anyone else, to want to display the Samurai Series 2000GT and have them within reach to admire and enjoy. A model worthy of being passed down for generations has been born.