Thanx guys, it is new, cut from copper. The thing is, I live in Namibia, its very difficult to get parts here. I overhauled my engine after the head gasket blew, but less than 3000km later it blew again. Now if this gasket does not have all the necessary holes for coolant then the one they put on my overhauled engine didnt either, it was supposted to be oem, ordered it through toyota, but it wasnt a metal one, it was one of those ones that looks like its made from some type of paper with a thin metal plate in the middle. What are the dissadvantages of a copper gasket? I have to put together my spare engine soon coz the one in my car seems to have sump compression, just started leaking at the bottom gasket as well. Still have to figure out how to put the head together and set the timiming. I love this car but I cant keep up with all its kinks!