a replica of the factory-backed Toyopet Crown RSD that was entered in the 1957 Mobilgas Rally Round Australia

For a first event of any kind, a 10,500 mile, 19 day trek round the rough roads and tracks of Australia would be a major undertaking today, back in 1957 it was like putting a man on the moon. 

Why put yourself thought all this? Well simply put, to sell cars. 

The Japanese motor industry was in the first stages of development and the next step was to start to export the products rolling off the assembly lines. Geographically and economically, the U.S.A. and Australia would be the logical places to start. 

The Japanese Consulate in Australia put a request into the industry for someone to send an entry to the rally and Toyota stepped up to the plate. 

The President of Toyota Motor Sales Co. Ltd., Shotaro Kamiya, gave full encouragement to the project, “There will be no progress if you fear failure”.

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10229458867552390&set=pcb.10229458868712419

http://www.speedhunters.com/2009/02/retrospective_gt_gt_1957_mobilgas_round_australia_rally/