BRIEF MANUFACTURER DETAILS AND SIGNIFICANT HISTORY OF CAR:

Credit the Korean War for the birth of the Toyota Land Cruiser. Following North Korea’s invasion of South Korea in June 1950, the United States of America sought to support pro-Western South Korea against its Soviet-backed aggressors. Military trucks were needed, and the U.S., which then still occupied Japan, urged the island nation to develop a domestically produced vehicle for this need. The idea was thus: The U.S. could use such a locally sourced truck in conflicts throughout the region.

By the beginning of 1951, Toyota had developed a military-truck prototype. The Toyota Jeep BJ, as it was initially known, was motivated by the company’s B-type 3.4-liter inline-six engine and featured styling that was inspired by the off-road-friendly, military-spec Jeeps driven by U.S. forces stationed in Japan. Although the Japanese brand’s military truck would be passed over by the country’s National Police Reserve Forces for the Willys Jeep, the Toyota made enough of an impression that it soon was commissioned for use as a patrol car for Japan’s National Police Agency.

The Toyota Land Cruiser (J40), is a series of Land Cruisers made by Toyota from 1960 until 2001. Traditional body on frame, most 40 series Land Cruisers were built as 2-door models with slightly larger dimensions than the similar Jeep CJ.

The model was available in short (J40/41/42), medium (J43/44/46) and long (J45/47) wheelbase versions, with gasoline and diesel engines.

BRIEF STORY OF THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE: 

This particular example is a 1977 Toyota Landcruiser FJ-40.  It is a US Model / California edition that lived and served most of its life as a farm service vehicle.  It was found stored away in a barn at the farm under several boxes.  After 20 years of storage, it was quickly serviced, its carburetor rebuilt, started right up and then was taken to the California emission testing facility where it passed its test with flying colors.  

The “FJ-40” was then brought to Miami in 2015 where it began a 3-year body off restoration.  With the exception of hoses, belts, tires and other consumables, this vehicle is all original.  It is always garage and climate control kept and does not ride in inclement weather.  

I learned how to drive in serious off-road terrains when I was 12 years old in a 1978 Landcruiser.  When I saw this 1977 FJ, I knew I had to bring it home!

These cars are not fast, but they can climb walls!