It’s bigger, it’s better, it’s the Rocky Auto 3000GT

When it comes to automotive dreams reborn, few stories carry the same magic as the kyusha heaven that is Rocky Auto.

Nestled in the quiet Japanese countryside of Okazaki, Watanabe-san, the man behind the operation, has spent decades perfecting the art of keeping Japan’s greatest icons alive. His masterpiece? A painstaking homage to the Toyota 2000GT — one of the rarest, most mythical Japanese classic cars of all time. 

I’ve had the chance to visit Rocky Auto countless times over the years, chronicling the crazy builds that Watanabe-san put together; which helped him solidify as one of the craziest engine-swap shops in Japan. 

He was the first one to pluck the RB26DE Plasma engine out of the old Autech version of the 4-door R32 and drop it in S30 Fairlady Zs and PGC10 Skylines, in essence giving the L-series sound and feel to the cars that originally came with it but with a much more modern, powerful and smoother engine.

If there’s one thing that Watanabe-san has never been afraid to do is go big, the sheer size of his shop, the endless lots of cars he has, his collection – even a museum and cafe now – he is without a doubt one of the most successful car builders in Japan.

Which brings us neatly to this: Rocky Auto’s 3000GT. The idea behind it was as simple as it was daring, to recreate the spirit and beauty of the mighty Toyota 2000GT, but to make it accessible and usable for modern enthusiasts.

It was never going to be a cheap car, but that being said, it’s considerably more affordable than the $1,000,000 price tag a 2000GT fetches these days. Watanabe-san and his team started with a fresh foundation, crafting a bespoke chassis in a custom jig that would allow the car to be slightly bigger; accommodating modern suspension and stronger driveline as well as creature comforts like a roomier interior and air conditioning.

Having scanned and digitized the exterior, the team was able to stay true to the silhouette of the original car, albeit bigger in every dimension. Watanabe-san even called in the help of Hosoya-san, an original member of the 2000GT’s development team from the 1960s, to supervise the project. 

It’s the details of the exterior that really stand out. If it looks like metal, it is – and it’s all bespoke. Luckily Rocky Auto is in the Aiichi Prefecture, a hotspot of automotive suppliers, as it’s where Toyota’s countless factories and production lines are located. Watanabe-san was even able to get the windshield custom made. It’s an incredibly expensive item, but a crucial component to the build. 

At the heart of it all had to be an engine that had some sort of link to the 2-liter, Yamaha-built, 3M inline-six and for this Watanabe knew exactly what to go for: Toyota’s mighty 2JZ. And before you think this is an 800 HP, single turbo, vintage drift car, the entire ethos of the car was centered around comfort and smooth cruising, so the 220 HP naturally aspirated version of the motor was far more suited.

Put down your pitchforks, there’s nothing wrong with that. Let’s not forget this setup was also featured on the JZA80 Supra! The automatic transmission has been the most popular option for customers but a few 5-speed manuals have also been ordered.

I had the chance to get behind the wheel, something I was never able to do with the original car as it’s far too small for my build, and I was pleasantly surprised at the overall vibe. It has all the qualities of a vintage car without the downsides, while the 2JZ responds smoothly and with plenty of mid-range torque; the custom exhaust really brings out that smooth inline-six howl.

The suspension feels nice and tight and the 3000GT has the on-center sharpness no 60 year old car could possibly have. 

It was a massive gamble, but after building hundreds of engine-swapped restomods for his customers, Watanabe-san just knew this was the right step. It truly resonates with a niche type of enthusiast, those who dream of 2000GT but want something simpler to live with. Even with a $200k starting price, all 30 planned cars were rather quickly spoken for, a few even making it abroad.

When I visited, the story was reaching its closing chapter. Production of the 3000GT was winding down – the end of a remarkable few years for Rocky Auto. As workers put the finishing touches on some of the last cars, Watanabe-san invited me outside.

There, gleaming under the sun, was his very own original Toyota 2000GT. He had kept it hidden away for years, and now he was offering me the rare chance to compare it side by side with his creation.

It was a surreal moment. Standing between the two cars, I could see the vision in full; the 3000GT wasn’t just a copy, but a respectful echo – a way to let more people experience the beauty of the 2000GT without the astronomical price tag or the fragility of a half-century-old machine.

Watanabe-san’s dedication, his meticulous eye and his willingness to share his own prized 2000GT to prove the point made it clear: the Rocky Auto 3000GT isn’t just a car. It’s a bridge between eras, built by a man who refuses to let Japan’s greatest automotive treasure fade away.

The best thing is, the journey is far from over. The homage to the 2000GT will continue – slightly differently – and to see it, one more visit to Rocky Auto will be required…