Every Line that the Toyobaru "Borrowed" from the 2000GT: A Guide

"Gatsby's Ghost" (Gatsbysghost)
04/21/2014 at 13:53 • Filed to: None

The Toyobaru gets a little bit of flak in the press for not looking as beautiful as it could . EverydayDriver—my favorite video review guys—remarked that !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! But is it, really? I think there's more of the 2000GT in this design than meets the eye.

These graphics are part of a little presentation I put together to explain the BRZ's design language to a friend of mine, who happens to be an industrial designer, but I think it's a pretty comprehensive breakdown of every line that Toyota's styling department cribbed from the 2000GT.

As you can see, most of the obvious cues that relate the 2000GT to the Toyobaru are visible in profile: the pointed window (the most obvious and/or harped-on cue of them all), the shape of the door (which is actually a subtler reference to the 2000GT than most people give Toyota credit for), and the wheel arches. In the case of the rear wheel arch, it's not just the flare that the Toyobaru inherits; it's also the the relationship that the rear wheel arch has to both the roofline and the pointed rear window. That relationship results in some very complex surfaces on the sheetmetal; this is explored in more detail in the next graphic.

As you can see, the shape of the pointed window works together with the sweep of the roofline/C-pillar to suggest a pronounced downward swoop; this is sort of "intercepted" by the flare of the rear wheel arch, and as a result, both the roofline and the wheel arch flare "level out" rather gracefully at the rear reck. (Also, take the Cayman comparison with a grain of salt; I was mainly using that car as an example of coupe design for my friend's edification. That would come out in an oral version of the presentation.)

Here's a sort of design-cue easter egg that it actually took me a little while to notice: the BRZ has a kind of double-bubble roof that, while not nearly as pronounced as, say, the Viper's, pretty transparently draws on the 2000GT's roof. From this head-on view, you can also see that the pronounced flares on the front wheel arches also have some precedent in the 2000GT. You might also notice a very subtle crease dead-center on the 2000GT's hood; this is clearly echoed in the way the Subaru/Scion/Toyota emblem leaves a "bulge" in its wake, in the same central axis of the hood.

Note also how the rear deck is sculpted on the GT86. It slopes upward in the center, just like the very gentle upward curve in the middle of the 2000GT's rear lip spoiler. Very subtle, but definitely a nod to the old Toyota.

...and, as a bonus slide, here's my commentary on the BRZ's headlight and taillight design, which is marvelously cohesive. As you can see, each shape comprising the headlight has a corresponding shape in the taillights, and that really makes the design symmetrical—as though much care was taken over it. Sometimes, it's the little things.

It's possible I'm overthinking this. But I see the Toyobaru less as a "missed opportunity" for a new and beautiful design, and more as a very modern, very thorough homage to the 1967-70 2000GT. A LOT of this car's virtue lies in its "old school" character, and part of that is surely based in design.

DISCUSSION (23)

willkinton247 > Gatsby's Ghost
04/21/2014 at 14:01

This makes me respect the way it looks even more.

Manuél Ferrari > Gatsby's Ghost
04/21/2014 at 14:01

I hadn't thought of it being a homage to the 2000GT. Interesting details you pointed out.

I've never had a problem with how the twins look. The design is both clean and modern, which is hard to do. A lot of current cars either look modern but busy, or clean but kind of boring and stuck in the past.

One thing I've noticed - literally every single BRZ/FRS I see being driven in So Cal is going the speed limit or less than the speed limit. Is it because everyone who bought one got targeted by the police so now they have tickets and drive slow? Is the combo of the low cost of entry and sporty look causing police to think that BRZ/FRS drivers are "young punks that are up to no good" so they pay them more attention? Or are BRZ/FRS drivers in So Cal simply slow around town because they're waiting for the canyons to put their cars to work?

sony1492 > Gatsby's Ghost
04/21/2014 at 14:04

Toyobaru's only design flaw, those fugly rims.

Mr. YoungSequoia > Gatsby's Ghost
04/21/2014 at 14:11

Finally someone has made something to properly display how i think of this car. A wonderful post sir

lonestranger > Gatsby's Ghost
04/21/2014 at 14:12

I've never been fond of the Toybarion's taillights, they'e too similar to the Altezza style that was played out long ago. However, I do think I'm in the minority in recognizing that they are reminiscent of the 2000GT's. Round, red brake lamp elements surrounded by silver and/or chrome.

Kinja'd!!!

Gatsby's Ghost > Mr. YoungSequoia
04/21/2014 at 14:12

Thank you!

Gatsby's Ghost > lonestranger
04/21/2014 at 14:17

Good catch! I'm a little surprised I missed that one, but it's a very fine detail. Well found.

blackchair > Gatsby's Ghost
04/21/2014 at 14:27

What about the inverted rear window to the 2000GT? Would that have been intentional?

Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney > Gatsby's Ghost
04/21/2014 at 14:39

Kinja'd!!!

midengineer > Gatsby's Ghost
04/21/2014 at 14:44

Well written comparison, I can't say that I had considered any resemblance between the two prior to reading this but it makes a lot of sense. I am a fan of the twins overall looks; I think it's a fine balance between modern design language while (hopefully) not looking too outdated in the future.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Gatsby's Ghost
04/21/2014 at 14:44

Kinja'd!!!

Great googly moogly this is a beautiful car.

All alone the BRZ looks good to me, but in comparison, it is a homely pig...

pdish > Gatsby's Ghost
04/21/2014 at 14:56

Kinja'd!!!

I never noticed the very subtle tail on the 2000GT before, and it is very nicely replicated in the Toyobaru. The only major difference is the extended tail light assembly breaks up the line and almost makes it disappear.

On a side note, the marker light on the rear fender of the 2000GT is perfect

pdish > sony1492
04/21/2014 at 15:00

Yet so similar to the ones on the 2000GT, 5 double offsetting 5 single spokes, pretty classy to me.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > Gatsby's Ghost
04/21/2014 at 15:02

But I see the Toyobaru less as a "missed opportunity" for a new and beautiful design, and more as a very modern, very thorough homage to the 1967-70 2000GT.

I would contend that the fact that the homage isn't very clear unless reflected on in depth may suggest that that was a missed opportunity - just of a different kind. More striking "keel lines" in the hood, a slightly more distinct rear light design, a little more trimmed ogive to the tail shape - it wouldn't have taken much to be much more blatant. Unfortunately, we ended up with enough crowbarred modernity it looks possibly more comfortable next to an RX-8 or Infiniti G-35 than its ancestor.

Don't get me wrong, I still like the look, but it doesn't make me drool. It doesn't *ignite* me like the 2000GT does.

sony1492 > pdish
04/21/2014 at 15:04

The way they presented that similarity could have been done better

Gatsby's Ghost > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
04/21/2014 at 15:45

Yes, I totally agree. It's not ugly, though—I think the best word might be "comely"—but you're right, it's not going to stir the loins in the same way that classic sheetmetal can. It's modern-Japanese more than anything else (which is why, as you aptly note, it looks more recognizably like an RX-8 or G37 than it looks like its own ancestor).

Funny thing about that "modern Japanese" aesthetic—maybe it's just me, but I kind of think that one of the best original touches on the car (i.e., the twisting surface that combines the front wheel-arch flare with the straight "angry eyebrow" character line that comes diagonally down the front of the hood) most closely resembles the face of a Bald Eagle. You decide:

Kinja'd!!!