• Toyota becomes the first Japanese automaker to join the 1000 Miglia.
  • Five iconic models from Toyota’s heritage fleet will tackle the Italian race.
  • The lineup includes the 2000GT, the A80 Supra, and the Lexus LFA.

The 1000 Miglia has always belonged to a certain kind of car. Alfa Romeo, Ferrari, Lancia, and Maserati built the legend on home soil, with Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Porsche supplying the German counterpoint. That history is getting an addendum in Brescia, because Toyota has become the first Japanese manufacturer to officially enter the 1000 Miglia Gran Turismo Experience.

It’s a support event, but Toyota didn’t treat it as one. The company raided its heritage fleet and showed up with five carefully chosen machines.

More: This Three-Pedal Toyota RAV4 Is A Reminder Of Everything The New One Gave Up

The new GR GT didn’t make the trip, which leaves the Lexus LFA as the youngest car in the group. Launched in 2010, it’s powered by a naturally aspirated V10 that screams its way to 553 hp (412 kW / 560 PS). Toyota developed the LFA at the Nürburgring, and the car backed up that effort with five class wins at the 24 Hours of the Nürburgring.

Toyota Just Became The First Japanese Brand In A Race That Snubbed Japan For 70 Years
Toyota’s five-car fleet for the 1000 Miglia Gran Turismo Experience in 2026.

Next up is the iconic A80 generation of the Toyota Supra, a sports car that defined the ’90s and enjoyed a successful career at the All Japan Grand Touring Car Championship (later renamed to Super GT).

More: The Part That Ruins Most Mk4 Supra Cabins Is Getting A Factory Remake

Toyota skipped the ’80s and ’70s entirely and jumped straight to the ’60s. The 2000GT remains one of the best-looking cars Japan has ever produced, and a deeply sought-after classic. The grand tourer, powered by a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter six-cylinder, also had the performance to match, setting numerous records and scoring a one-two finish at the Fuji 24 Hours Race.

The Toyota Sports 800 is a baby sports car with an aerodynamic shape and a tiny 790cc engine making 44 hp (33 kW / 45 PS), borrowed from the Publica city car. Built between 1965 and 1969, it’s quite rare today. The racing version won the inaugural Suzuka 500 km (311-mile) Race in 1966 without a single refueling stop.

Toyota Just Became The First Japanese Brand In A Race That Snubbed Japan For 70 Years
Toyota Sports 800

Last but not least, the oldest model in the fleet is the first generation of the Crown Model RS. The sedan was introduced in 1955 as the first passenger vehicle to be fully manufactured in Japan. It proved its durability by completing a 50,000 km (31,069-mile) drive from London to Tokyo in eight months back in 1956.

More: Special Edition Toyota Crown Delivers Maybach Vibes Without The Maybach Price

The original 1000 Miglia was a racing event held in Italy from 1927 to 1957 covering a distance of 1,000 miles (1,600 km) on public roads. Today, the historic rally is only accessible to cars that took place in the original editions. However, it is joined by the 1000 Miglia Gran Turismo Experience support event, organized by Polyphony Digital, the creators of the popular driving simulator game for PlayStation consoles.

Toyota’s presence at the event aims to foster a cultural exchange between the historic European motorsport scene and Japan’s own car culture. The company describes 1000 Miglia as one of the origins of “ever-better carmaking rooted in motorsports.”

Toyota Just Became The First Japanese Brand In A Race That Snubbed Japan For 70 Years
Toyota Just Became The First Japanese Brand In A Race That Snubbed Japan For 70 Years
Toyota Just Became The First Japanese Brand In A Race That Snubbed Japan For 70 Years
Toyota Just Became The First Japanese Brand In A Race That Snubbed Japan For 70 Years
Toyota Just Became The First Japanese Brand In A Race That Snubbed Japan For 70 Years
Toyota Just Became The First Japanese Brand In A Race That Snubbed Japan For 70 Years
Toyota Just Became The First Japanese Brand In A Race That Snubbed Japan For 70 Years
Toyota Just Became The First Japanese Brand In A Race That Snubbed Japan For 70 Years
Toyota Just Became The First Japanese Brand In A Race That Snubbed Japan For 70 Years
Toyota Just Became The First Japanese Brand In A Race That Snubbed Japan For 70 Years
Toyota Just Became The First Japanese Brand In A Race That Snubbed Japan For 70 Years
Toyota Just Became The First Japanese Brand In A Race That Snubbed Japan For 70 Years
Toyota Just Became The First Japanese Brand In A Race That Snubbed Japan For 70 Years
Toyota Just Became The First Japanese Brand In A Race That Snubbed Japan For 70 Years
Toyota Just Became The First Japanese Brand In A Race That Snubbed Japan For 70 Years
Toyota Just Became The First Japanese Brand In A Race That Snubbed Japan For 70 Years
Toyota Just Became The First Japanese Brand In A Race That Snubbed Japan For 70 Years
Toyota Just Became The First Japanese Brand In A Race That Snubbed Japan For 70 Years
Toyota Just Became The First Japanese Brand In A Race That Snubbed Japan For 70 Years
Toyota Just Became The First Japanese Brand In A Race That Snubbed Japan For 70 Years
Toyota Just Became The First Japanese Brand In A Race That Snubbed Japan For 70 Years
Toyota Just Became The First Japanese Brand In A Race That Snubbed Japan For 70 Years

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