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Thanks to Rocky Auto, regular gearheads have a chance to drive a replica of the iconic Toyota 2000GT, the Rocky Auto 3000GT.

The first two Japanese Grand Prix events of 1963 and 1964 were so successful that they led to rapid growth in motorsport enthusiasm in Japan. There were demands for all manufacturers to build capable, high-performance road cars. By 1967 Toyota had responded with the 2000GT, an ambitious and range-topping grand touring project to meet these demands while showcasing their technologies and experience accumulated over the previous three decades. The resulting high-performance coupe became the first Japanese supercar.

Once complete, the 2000GT broke three world records while setting 13 new international records for speed and endurance, and when customers finally got their hands on the car, it was in low volumes. Today, it is an extremely valuable and coveted collector's item. But thanks to one builder from Japan, regular gearheads have a chance to drive a replica of the original JDM car, the Rocky Auto 3000GT, which should not be confused with the Mitsubishi 3000GT. Here's everything you don't know about the Rocky Auto 3000GT.

It isn't uncommon to see cheaper alternatives to ultra-expensive luxury cars. These replicas are the easiest way for the regular folk to drive a Bugatti or a Ferrari. But they usually stick out so bad that you'd cringe to see one. A case in point is the Suzuki Based Veyron by Indian builder SF Carz. But some kit cars can reproduce the original to great detail without losing the charisma of the original car, and we feel the 3000GT falls in this category.

Until Rocky Auto got to work on this car, no one else was brave enough to build a replica of the legendary 2000GT. The 300GT is the closest thing you will see to the original car.

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The original 2000GT prototype and production cars were outsourced to Yamaha, who had the capacity to put together the car in small batches. Clearly, they didn't mind having non-Toyota hands working on their prized toy, and they probably have no issue with Yoshiya Watanabe creating a modern replica of the car. Watanabe owns the Okazaki-based tuning shop Rocky Auto. He is a professional car designer and has worked with Toyota before, helping pen the Toyota Hiace.

Watanabe has worked on many old cars, including Nissan Skylines and Datsun 240Zs, featuring crazy engine swaps and incredible resto-modding. On this project, he partnered with one of the minds behind the original 2000GT, Hiroshi Hosoya.

Bespoke and hand-built are two words that resonate well with exclusivity, high quality, and expensive taste. Robots and assembly lines take away the human artistic touch and attention to detail. Just like the original, the 3000GT was largely hand-built. The aluminum body panels were hand-beaten into shape. The chassis is handmade, and so is most of the interior.

Yes, it isn't an original, but besides the Toyota-borrowed engine, transmission, and wiring loom, everything else is bespoke and handmade.

As far as style goes, the car can easily rival the Jaguar E-Type, no kidding. Watanabe laser-scanned his 2000GT to get its exact dimensions. He then built a wooden buck and hammered the aluminum over it to recreate the body panels.

The copy-pasting ends with the body because of the modern underpinnings, which means the car isn't a one-to-one replica. But it perfectly captures the icon's style, featuring the beauty and iconic silhouette of the 2000GT.

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The 2000GT was only sold to customers in the coupe, except for the two prototype cars converted into open-top models to feature in the 1967 James Bond movie You Only Live Twice. Sean Connery was too tall, so they had to chop the roof off for him to fit. Coincidentally, the outgoing Bond, Daniel Craig, considers the car his favorite Bond car.

If you want to feel like top spy 007, Rocky Auto has you sorted because you can order an open-top version of the 3000GT.

The 3000GT is a super replica with a semi-modern twist. Although it tries its best to stay period correct, as seen with the new but classic tires, it comes with modern components to get it to modern usable standards.

Underneath the perfectly replicated body, you will find modern upgrades like a custom fabricated frame and parts borrowed from modern Toyota cars like modern suspension, a modern drivetrain, power steering, power-tilting telescopic steering wheel, air conditioning, and wiring loom. With a new chassis, the 3000GT feels much lighter and agile than the original.

Like the chassis, most of the 3000GT's interior is handmade, and it tries to mimic the 2000GT's interior with modern touches like the updated dials, A/C, modern seats, and a new dash. But the car lacks the attractive sophistication of a sixty's car.

It comes with a bit more plastic and uninspiring wood trim. The shifter knob looks hilariously out of place with the old-school cabin. Other notable touches include modern air outlets, a radio face, a modern instrument cluster with wooden panels, and leather upholstery. Also, the hand brake was ditched for a footbrake.

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The original 2000GT came with a tuned 2-liter DOHC straight-six 3M engines based on the Toyota Crown's SOHC. It made 148hp, helping it to a sprint from zero to 60mph in 10 seconds and a top speed of 128mph. But, the 3000GT comes with a newer and more powerful engine. The standard motor is a characterful and buzzy non-turbo 3-liter 2JZ inline-six, a legendary engine with a rich heritage. It produces 220hp, which might not sound much, but it is usable power.

Also, buyers can opt for a turbo version and if there is a Prius hybrid engine for eco-conscious customers.

In March, a Shelby-tuned Toyota 2000GT sold for $2.53 million, becoming the most expensive Japanese car ever. That is more than you could have spent for a 1967 Ferrari 330 GTS at the same Gooding and Company auction. Although this was an outlier sale, it just confirms that the 2000GT is an incredibly expensive toy.

With about $200k, you can drive away in the closest thing to the 2000GT. It isn't cheap, but it makes for a more affordable alternative to the iconic classic.

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Many luxury manufacturers have produced continuation versions of iconic classics. Think of the Blower Bentley or the Aston Martin Goldfinger continuation. But the 3000GT is not a continuation car, since Toyota has zero involvement in the project. Also, it isn't a one-to-one imitation of the original.

Still, it captures the reference car's sensation, style, and spirit. And, for just $200k, you get so much for a hand-built car, and it isn't bad compared to the amount paid for replicas like the Ferrari 250WB. It is among the best replica tribute cars you will see anywhere.

Bryan is a content marketer who works as a staff writer for HotCars.com where he covers a variety of topics, from the first Motorwagen to the latest Electric vehicles. A writer by day and a programmer by night. When he is not writing about cars, catch him tinkering with his old motorcycle.