Toyota 7
Encyclopedia
The Toyota 7 was a racing car
developed by Toyota Motor Company and subsidiary Yamaha Motor Corporation. Designed primarily for use in the Japanese Grand Prix
, the cars were Toyota's first custom-built racing car, competing under the FIA's Group 7 rules, similar to the Can Am series in North America and Interserie
in Europe.
The 7, known by the internal code 415S was developed by Jiro Kawano, who had also developed the 2000GT
that Toyota had previously entered in the Japanese Grand Prix. Yamaha constructed the chassis while the new 3.0 litre V8 engine
was built by Toyota. The V8 that powered the 7 replaced the straight-six engine used in the 2000GT due to the higher power potential of the larger engine. This engine was capable of producing up to 300 PS, thanks to the addition of a dual overhead cam design and four valves per cylinder. However, the 3.0 litre V8 which was used in the early years was not powerful enough to compete with the Chevrolet
and Porsche-powered competitors. This led to the development of a 5.0 litre version, capable of 600 PS at 8,000 rpm. The initial bodywork was similar to other Group 7 cars, with an open two-seater cockpit and large intakes behind the doors. Exhaust pipes were placed directly on top of the engine, exiting straight off the tail of the car. A simple rollhoop protected the driver.
The 7s made their debut at the 1968 Japanese Grand Prix, four entries starting and two of those finishing, taking eighth and ninth places. Although the 7s finished, they were well behind their main competitor, Nissan
, who had not only two new R381
s, but also three older R380-II
s finish in the top six. Porsche
also managed to finish ahead of Toyota with their 906
. Toyota entered the 7s in several other Japanese events that year, including the 1000 km Suzuka, where the cars took the top four positions. A 200 miles (321.9 km) event was held at Fuji
against invited contenders from the Can Am series, with five 7s entered; the Toyotas finished fourth, fifth, sixth, eighth, and ninth.
For 1969, the 7s were evolved in order to adapt to problems on the original cars. The bodywork was completely redesigned, shaped similar to a large broad wedge for increased front downforce. For the rear of the car, the exhaust pipes were placed within the bodywork, while an intake scoop was mounted over the rollbar. These new 7s were referred to internally as the 474S, while press material referred to it as the New 7. The revised New 7s continued to show their potential, winning the 1000 km Suzuka once again. For the New 7s main event, the Japanese Grand Prix, Nissan arrived with their revised R382
s. Although Toyota was able to outperform Porsche, including a factory-run squad in a new 917
, the Nissans once again proved too daunting, taking the top two spots by a lap over the Toyota.
Toyota made plans to revise the car once again for 1970, most notably by the addition of two turbocharger
s to the V8 engine. These additions boosted power to 800 hp. A large rear wing was also added to the 7, helping to increase rear downforce and traction. This car was known by the name 578A
However, the Japanese Automobile Federation (JAF) announced that the Japanese Grand Prix was to be revised for use by open wheel car
s from 1970 on. This forced Toyota to cancel the 7 program, although at least one turbocharged 7 had been completed prior to the announcement.
Toyota planned to move the cars to North America and enter Can-Am, however drivers Sachio Fukuzawa and Minoru Kawai were killed in separate testing accidents in February 1969 and August 1970. Sachio was in fact testing the only coupé
version of the car that was especially built when he fatally crashed. This would be the last sports prototype
built by Toyota until the 1980s.
Toyota used the 7 once more in 1970 as a base for the EX-7, publicly shown at that year's Tokyo Motor Show
. The turbochargers were removed from the V8 engine to bring the power down to 450 PS while the bodywork was a streamlined coupe design similar to other supercar
s of the era.
Auto racing
Auto racing is a motorsport involving the racing of cars for competition. It is one of the world's most watched televised sports.-The beginning of racing:...
developed by Toyota Motor Company and subsidiary Yamaha Motor Corporation. Designed primarily for use in the Japanese Grand Prix
Japanese Grand Prix
The is a race in the calendar of the FIA Formula One World Championship. Traditionally one of the last, if not the last race of the season, the Japanese Grand Prix has been the venue for many title-deciding races, with 13 World Champions being crowned over the 27 World Championship Japanese...
, the cars were Toyota's first custom-built racing car, competing under the FIA's Group 7 rules, similar to the Can Am series in North America and Interserie
Interserie
Interserie is the name of a European-based motorsport series started in 1970 that allows for a wide variety of racing cars from various eras and series to compete with less limited rules than in other series....
in Europe.
The 7, known by the internal code 415S was developed by Jiro Kawano, who had also developed the 2000GT
Toyota 2000GT
The Toyota 2000GT is a limited-production, front-engine, rear-wheel drive, two-seat, hardtop coupé grand tourer designed by Toyota in collaboration with Yamaha. First displayed to the public at the Tokyo Motor Show in 1965, the 2000GT was manufactured under contract by Yamaha between 1967 and...
that Toyota had previously entered in the Japanese Grand Prix. Yamaha constructed the chassis while the new 3.0 litre V8 engine
V8 engine
A V8 engine is a V engine with eight cylinders mounted on the crankcase in two banks of four cylinders, in most cases set at a right angle to each other but sometimes at a narrower angle, with all eight pistons driving a common crankshaft....
was built by Toyota. The V8 that powered the 7 replaced the straight-six engine used in the 2000GT due to the higher power potential of the larger engine. This engine was capable of producing up to 300 PS, thanks to the addition of a dual overhead cam design and four valves per cylinder. However, the 3.0 litre V8 which was used in the early years was not powerful enough to compete with the Chevrolet
Chevrolet
Chevrolet , also known as Chevy , is a brand of vehicle produced by General Motors Company . Founded by Louis Chevrolet and ousted GM founder William C. Durant on November 3, 1911, General Motors acquired Chevrolet in 1918...
and Porsche-powered competitors. This led to the development of a 5.0 litre version, capable of 600 PS at 8,000 rpm. The initial bodywork was similar to other Group 7 cars, with an open two-seater cockpit and large intakes behind the doors. Exhaust pipes were placed directly on top of the engine, exiting straight off the tail of the car. A simple rollhoop protected the driver.
The 7s made their debut at the 1968 Japanese Grand Prix, four entries starting and two of those finishing, taking eighth and ninth places. Although the 7s finished, they were well behind their main competitor, Nissan
Nissan Motors
, usually shortened to Nissan , is a multinational automaker headquartered in Japan. It was a core member of the Nissan Group, but has become more independent after its restructuring under Carlos Ghosn ....
, who had not only two new R381
Nissan R381
The Nissan R381 was a racing car developed by Nissan Motors in 1968 for use in the Japanese Grand Prix. It was the successor to the Nissan R380-II, which had been originally developed by the Prince Motor Company-Development:...
s, but also three older R380-II
Prince R380
The Prince R380 was a racing car built in 1965 by Prince Motor Company to compete in the Japanese Grand Prix. Following the merger of Prince Motor Company and Nissan Motors in 1966, the R380 was modified into the Nissan R380-II .-Development:In 1964, Prince had entered their new S54 Skyline GTs in...
s finish in the top six. Porsche
Porsche
Porsche Automobil Holding SE, usually shortened to Porsche SE a Societas Europaea or European Public Company, is a German based holding company with investments in the automotive industry....
also managed to finish ahead of Toyota with their 906
Porsche 906
The Porsche 906 or Carrera 6 was the last street-legal racing car from Porsche. It was announced in January 1966 and 50 examples were subsequently produced, thus meeting the homologation requirements of the FIA's new Group 4 Sports Car category to the letter...
. Toyota entered the 7s in several other Japanese events that year, including the 1000 km Suzuka, where the cars took the top four positions. A 200 miles (321.9 km) event was held at Fuji
Fuji Speedway
is a race track standing in the foothills of Mount Fuji, in Oyama, Suntō District, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan. It was built in the early 1960s and hosted the first Formula One race in Japan in 1976. In the 1980s, Fuji Speedway was used for the FIA World Sportscar Championship and national racing...
against invited contenders from the Can Am series, with five 7s entered; the Toyotas finished fourth, fifth, sixth, eighth, and ninth.
Nissan R382
The Nissan R382 was a racing car built in 1969 by Nissan Motors for competition in the Japanese Grand Prix. Built to the Group 7 motorsports formula, the car featured Nissan's first V12 engine...
s. Although Toyota was able to outperform Porsche, including a factory-run squad in a new 917
Porsche 917
The Porsche 917 is a racecar that gave Porsche its first overall wins at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1970 and 1971. Powered by the Type 912 flat-12 engine of 4.5, 4.9, or 5 litres, the 917/30 variant was capable of a 0- time of 2.3 seconds, 0– in 5.3 seconds, and a top speed of over .There are 6...
, the Nissans once again proved too daunting, taking the top two spots by a lap over the Toyota.
Toyota made plans to revise the car once again for 1970, most notably by the addition of two turbocharger
Turbocharger
A turbocharger, or turbo , from the Greek "τύρβη" is a centrifugal compressor powered by a turbine that is driven by an engine's exhaust gases. Its benefit lies with the compressor increasing the mass of air entering the engine , thereby resulting in greater performance...
s to the V8 engine. These additions boosted power to 800 hp. A large rear wing was also added to the 7, helping to increase rear downforce and traction. This car was known by the name 578A
However, the Japanese Automobile Federation (JAF) announced that the Japanese Grand Prix was to be revised for use by open wheel car
Open wheel car
Open-wheel car, formula car, or often single-seater car in British English, describes cars with the wheels outside the car's main body and, in most cases, one seat. Open-wheel cars contrast with street cars, sports cars, stock cars, and touring cars, which have their wheels below the body or fenders...
s from 1970 on. This forced Toyota to cancel the 7 program, although at least one turbocharged 7 had been completed prior to the announcement.
Toyota planned to move the cars to North America and enter Can-Am, however drivers Sachio Fukuzawa and Minoru Kawai were killed in separate testing accidents in February 1969 and August 1970. Sachio was in fact testing the only coupé
Coupé
A coupé or coupe is a closed car body style , the precise definition of which varies from manufacturer to manufacturer, and over time...
version of the car that was especially built when he fatally crashed. This would be the last sports prototype
Sports prototype
A sports prototype, also referred to as simply a prototype, is a form of racing car that is used as a top category in sports car racing. These purpose-built racing cars differ from street-legal and production-based racing cars that also compete in sports car racing.Prototype racing cars have...
built by Toyota until the 1980s.
Toyota used the 7 once more in 1970 as a base for the EX-7, publicly shown at that year's Tokyo Motor Show
Tokyo Motor Show
The is a biennial auto show held in October-November at the Makuhari Messe, Chiba City, Japan for cars, motorcycles and commercial vehicles. Hosted by the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association , it is a recognized international show by the Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs...
. The turbochargers were removed from the V8 engine to bring the power down to 450 PS while the bodywork was a streamlined coupe design similar to other supercar
Supercar
Supercar is a term used most often to describe an expensive high end car. It has been defined specifically as "a very expensive, fast or powerful car"...
s of the era.