When I visited the Pacific Northwest last month, I was looking forward to seeing the numerous vehicles retired from our roads here in the Northeast that still did duty on the streets of Portland and Seattle. I was not disappointed! This 1966 Toyota Land Cruiser is emblematic of the types of rigs we saw still being pressed into daily use, usually with surfboards attached. This FJ45 LV hasn’t been driven in a while, as the seller scooped it up after sitting for 20 years. Find it here on eBay with bidding racing towards $20K with the reserve unmet.
The seller says he had this rare long-wheelbase example running and driving but hasn’t spent much time on it after driving it home following a brake job and alignment. It’s a shame, really, because these LVs are exceptionally rare and they should be seen and used! Only 5,000 LVs were made and even fewer were designated for the U.S. market with left-hand-drive steering – around 1,000 or so. And given their propensity for rust, how many can be left?
The seller notes the F135 mill is the original, correct engine. It runs and idles well, following a new fuel pump, flushed gas tank and rebuild carburetor. While these Land Cruisers are rare, a quick read of the entertaining Road & Track article by Colin Comer will tell you something I’ve learned the hard way with my 1981 Toyota HiAce: parts are scarce, fabrication is expensive, and sometimes you have no choice but to go custom. Comer went all-in on his restoration, netting a record price for an LV but still losing money in the process.
Which is not to say you shouldn’t restore this rig – just maybe draw a line in the sand. The seller notes one of the rear bench seats is missing, which – like the aircooled Buses – is worth a chunk of change, so that’s a bummer. There is rust to contend with, though not as much as you might expect. The seller says due to an AWOL side window, water entered the rear cabin and now the rear seat floor corners are rusted, as is the tailgate. Fortunately, the seller is including a good used tailgate in the sale. While it is rare, it’s also needy – so where will the bidding end up?
Never saw this model, like a FJ55 with a FJ40 front.(hence the 45, duh) Sure would be the only one in the Landcruiser crowd. IDK, it’s rare, and all in one piece, without looking underneath, a big plus. Gonna have a chunk of change in this one to make it right and when done, you’ll have a $40K dollar ’66 Landcruiser,,,
In the late 6-This model was not an uncommon sight in Western Canada, but the other station wagon was more common. I had the diesel in mine, and I had excellent mileage.
Bob
From the looks of that over hang out back of the rear wheels I would think if you loaded it with some really heavy cargo you would be doing wheel stands at every traffic light.
For your amusement
https://youtu.be/F3QVxRGJMys
I have one of those just not that brand and they are worth the investment. It works on our 2016 F-150 / 2012 Mustang / 2006 Mustang. For $40 + $10 for the app it’s saved me a couple hundred already on the 2006.
To each his own, I guess. I could sure think of a LOT of other things to spend (Or waste) that kind of money on.
Just my .02
I had to smile to myself when I saw this photo, just yesterday I was travelling down from up orth in the Mack and saw one of these models ( Not Exactly the same ) in similar condition and as I passed it you could see the guy was puffing on what looked like one of those Turkish smoking thing, like what if refered to as a Bong now days,. It was wobbling down the 110 K.P.H. (70 M.P.H. ) zone at about 85 Klicks. I couldn’t help but smile at the time thinking how these gas guzzlers were just the bees knees at one time.
First time I have ever heard of this model! It would be a nice vehicle when restored!