Five Toyotas are the first Japanese cars to race in the Mille Miglia

The original Mille Miglia was one of the most storied and dangerous road races in automotive history. Covering 1000 miles through beautiful Italian cities, it was the crucible that helped make legends out of Alfa Romeo, Ferrari, Lancia, and more. Until this year no Japanese car had ever participated, but Toyota became the first by entering a Crown, Sports 800, 2000GT, A80 Supra, and Lexus LFA.

The original races, held between 1927 and 1957 (minus the World War II years), encouraged drivers to go all out on Italy’s public roads. That is, until a deadly crash in 1957 killed two participants and nine spectators, five of whom were children. The race was immediately banned by the Italian government, until it was brought back in the 80s as an annual vintage TSD rally that pared back the emphasis on speed.

However, organizers enforced strict rules regarding what kinds of cars could participate. Priority to one of the 400 or so entry slots was given to individual cars that actually raced in the original Mille Miglias, followed by makes and models that match a car which did participate in one of the original 24 races. After that, only cars built on or before 1957 could enter.

In recent years, special exceptions and classes have been created to allow newer cars to participate. In 2026, a special Gran Turismo class, the result of a partnership with the PlayStation game’s developer. That opened the doors for Toyota to enter its five cars that didn’t necessarily meet the 1957 cutoff.

While the Crown RS, barely making it under the 1957 limit, could have technically been entered in the main class Toyota kept it in the Gran Turismo class to serve as team captain. Unfortunately, over five days of driving through Italian villages and mountains the Crown began to develop a few mechanical issues.

By the final day, it was running only on three cylinders, but was able to limp across the finish. The Sports 800 and 2000GT also needed some overnight repair, but nothing as serious as what ailed the Crown. Nevertheless, it was quite dignified to have the oldest least sporty take the lead, almost as a show of respect for the elder.

The newer cars looked a bit out of place, but it’s still quite a sight to see a Supra beneath the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Technically the 2000GT isn’t period appropriate either, but it looked absolutely breathtaking winding through Italian streets and ended up winning the class.

Toyota representatives said they entered the event not just because they wanted to promote Toyota, but because they wanted to study how Italians celebrate the automobile as part of the nation’s culture. Hopefully that will translate into something exciting for the brand back in Japan, and with any luck there will be more participants in the Gran Turismo class next year.