Toyota’s Land Cruiser sport utility vehicle is the longest-lived model in the company’s history. The first, developed from Jeep specifications, went into production in 1951. The best-known model, the FJ40, dates from 1960. From then to 1984, more than a million were built.

Toyota introduced its initial series of Jeep-like off-road vehicles in 1954. Dubbed Land Cruisers, they became the best-selling Toyotas in the United States during the mid-1960s. Powered by a rugged inline OHV 4.2-litre six-cylinder engine, these vehicles were produced until 1979 though many were available and registered new in the early 1980s. Today, they are hot collectibles as part of the burgeoning interest in vintage four-wheel drives.

Much like the vintage Land Rover, the Toyota FJ40 Land Cruiser has a devoted following all on its own. Both vehicles were developed in the early-1950s and were based on the design philosophy seen in the Willys M38 Jeep, which earned worldwide respect in World War II.

When Toyota and Land Rover went head-to-head in the 1960s, Toyota won out in nearly every encounter in the roughest parts of the former British Empire. The short-wheelbase FJ40 was harder to break and didn’t require as much maintenance as its British counterpart. While the older Land Rovers enjoy limited use as distressed weekend showpieces, similar FJ40s are often lauded for still being found on the job today continuing on as sturdy work and recreational vehicles.

The FJ40 also made considerable inroads into the Jeep market in the U.S. in the 1960s and 1970s. Toyota then shifted its focus to the rest of the world in the 1980s; the barebones FJ40 was built in Brazil as the Bandeirante, in Venezuela as the Macho, and Australia still offers the updated 70 series for their rugged terrain. The last FJ40s were imported to the U.S. in 1983, after being replaced by a softer Land Cruiser SUV. Now, even the newest FJ40s in the U.S. are 30 years old, and as survivors, they are becoming scarce and the prices are rising.

This particular example is reported as having received a cosmetic restoration approximately four years ago that included refurbishing to the body, dash, upholstery, emblems, rubber elements, seatbelts, wheels and tires. It has been nicely finished in an appealing color. It has been built to be used for many situations with a ride height that many judge to be “just right.” Among the features are a Rockford Fosgate AM/FM radio with custom speakers, bucket seats with headrests, rear seating, KC driving laights, trailer hitch receiver, exhaust headers, rollbar, removable hardtop with windows, front and rear bumpers, electric windscreen wipers and more. The Toyota is not considered a “trailer queen,” but will be noticed and welcomed transport while driving to car-related events, general weekend trips, leisurely hill country journeys or a perfect day at your favorite ocean beach or lake region.

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