Toyota’s quest for world dominance isn’t a new thing. Although most recently obsessed with toppling GM in, well, everything, their goals were once more focused.

In the 1960’s, as recalled by Motor Trend, the challenge to prove Japan’s design and engineering credentials pushed Toyota to attempt to tackle arguably the greatest car of all time – the Jaguar E-Type.

Nearly four decades later, the two have been pitted against each other again in this quirky but comprehensive feature.

There’s talk of James Bond, Twiggy, glitzy car shows and a closer battle than you’d think. It’s hard to think of the same happening today.

Shall we race an XK8 against a Yaris?

Head To Head: 1969 Toyota 2000GT vs. 1965 Jaguar E-Type [Motor Trend]