Jay Leno Drives the First Car Toyoda (Toyota) Ever Produced
Jay drives the ultra-rare Toyoda (Toyota) AA on his recent trip to Japan.
Jay drives the ultra-rare Toyoda (Toyota) AA on his recent trip to Japan.
Click HERE to learn more about the Toyota of Sanford difference!
LOS ANGELES (Oct. 13, 2012) – A Toyota Tundra half-ton pickup truck without any special modifications successfully towed the space shuttle Endeavour and custom-built dolly -- a combined weight of nearly 300,000 pounds -- across a bridge spanning the nation’s busiest freeway on Friday night, Oct. 12. The tow was a result of a 20-year partnership between Toyota and the California Science Center to raise awareness of the space program and continue public education through exhibits and events. The shuttle’s 12-mile route over city streets to its new home at the California Science Center includes one passage over the 405 Freeway. The Tundra assisted in the transport of the Endeavour as it journeyed over the Manchester Boulevard Bridge—an area that required a lighter tow mechanism than other portions of the route for weight distribution purposes. Toyota did extensive testing and worked with the Sarens Group, a heavy lifting and engineering transport company, to develop a dolly to move the Endeavour over the bridge. “We’ve partnered with the California Science Center since the early '90s as part of our ongoing commitment to inspiring youth in the fields of engineering, innovation and future technology, and we are honored to lend our support for this historic event,” said Michael Rouse, vice president of community affairs and philanthropy for Toyota. The model selected was a stock 2012 Tundra CrewMax 4x4 with Toyota’s 5.7-liter iForce V8, producing 381 horsepower. All Tundra trucks are produced exclusively at Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Texas in San Antonio. The truck used to tow the Endeavour was purchased from a Southern California Toyota dealer, with no modifications or special equipment added for the tow. The Tundra was piloted by longtime Toyota professional driver Matt McBride. Riding along was Garrett Reisman, one of the astronauts aboard the orbiter when it traveled to the International Space Station in 2008. From start to finish, it took about five minutes to cross the bridge. “I’m honored to be part of the space shuttle Endeavour’s final mission to the California Science Center,” said Garrett Reisman, an engineer and former NASA astronaut. “I appreciate Toyota’s support in helping bring this space icon home to the Southern California community.” The Science Center has a popular working exhibit utilizing a Tundra that demonstrates the physics of leverage. The Tundra used to tow the shuttle will replace the existing truck when the Endeavour exhibit opens on Oct. 30, 2012.
Get acquainted with the radically new 2013 Avalon. An evolution in high-end driving and a symbol for the future of Toyota itself.
Here's the video of us choosing the August winner of the "$1000 Test Drive!" Simply visit Toyota of Sanford, serving Fayetteville, NC, take a test drive in any of our new or used vehicles and tell your salesperson you want to register for the $1000 Test Drive! Call our Test Drive Hotline for details 800-411-TOYOTA!
Click HERE for terms and conditions and to schedule a test-drive online.
"After visiting several dealerships, Toyota of Sanford was more welcoming and comfortable than the others." -techteach2
Thank you for the Five-Star review of Toyota of Sanford! Our welcoming and comfortable environment is how "We Do Toyotas Different!" If you have any questions or concerns about your vehicle, please let our team know. We look forward to seeing you again.
Click HERE to see this review on Edmunds. Remember to Like us on Facebook and Follow us on Twitter for coupons and specials.
Designed and assembled in America, the Toyota Tundra is more than ready to pull the Space Shuttle Endeavour.
Nominate yourself for membership in the Toyota Hall of Fame: Legends of Fantasy Football.
Click HERE to see this and more of Toyota of Sanford's online offers!
On October 13th, the Toyota Tundra is setting out to pull a 145-ton national treasure into history. But first, experience the best ride off Earth as a former Endeavour astronaut shows you what it's like to be on the shuttle during take-off.