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Desert Find: 1959 Toyota Land Cruiser

The Land Cruiser is a series of 4-wheel drive vehicles that have become Toyota’s longest-running series of models. Worldwide sales are north of 10 million units and climbing. These SUVs were not common sights in the U.S. in the 1950s, and we don’t know the history of this one. But it must go as the asking price qualifies it as “cheap wheels” at $500. Located in Tempe, Arizona, this old “Jeep” is available here on craigslist. Another cool tip that’s brought to us by Barn Finder T.J.!

Production of the Land Cruiser began in 1951 and has been available in a variety of body styles including convertibles, hardtops, station wagons, and cab/chassis deliveries. This 1959 edition is an FJ25 which is a topless (with canvas snap-on) that is considered a “bush drive” car. This one may have 78,000 miles on it and has been sitting since 1992 where sand and dirt have pretty well covered it up.

From what we can see, this Toyota looks okay and may clean up, although the six-cylinder may need going through after being dormant for three decades. This will not be an easy project to carry home and not because the tires are rotted and flat. There is a boat on a trailer blocking access to the truck and the seller indicates the buyer will have to extricate the boat first. But for another $500 you can have the boat and trailer and take it all away. The title is clean, but the seller says it “just needs work”, whatever that means.

Comments

  1. Avatar geomechs Member

    That sure looks like a late 30s thru early 50s Stovie under the hood. I heard that Toyota pretty much copied Chevy as far as the engine was concerned. It would be interesting to get this and fix it up. Almost as rare as the winning Powerball ticket but then, for a hopeless gearhead, it might be a lot more fun. The price is definitely right. If it were a little closer I might be willing to give it a try…

    Like 6
  2. Avatar leiniedude Member

    This posting has been deleted by its author.

    Like 2
    • Avatar Charles Herwig

      Man I saw that too late – its a rough gem but in Central America ( Costa Rica ) parts are more available and this thing is BOMB as project car – super simple to work on as long as you find the parts

      Like 0
    • Avatar 59Poncho

      Yeah dealers are scooping everything thanks to these sites

      Like 0
  3. Avatar Gregm

    At $500, either a scam or the absolute deal of the century….no surprise the listing is gone…

    Like 5
  4. Avatar Rw

    Somebody scored 500 is correct.

    Like 0
  5. Avatar Chris Londish Member

    What a great old beast a copy of the Chev engine and three speed tranny part time 4wd real old school four wheeling, these replaced Land Rovers here in Australia on the Snowy mountains scheme in the 50’s Thiese brothers were one of the main contractors imported them direct from Japan they later became distributors for Toyota in Queensland, this should be in the LandCruiser museum in Salt Lake City

    Like 0
  6. Avatar Gary

    Gotta be a scam, if it’s that clean rust wise and the ad was real someone stole that one. These bring some stupid money, almost as stupid as first gen Broncos. But these are much more capable than a Bronco and very dependable.

    Like 2
  7. Avatar Kenn

    Yeah, probably a scam, not someone anxious to get rid of a vehicle not being used and willing to ask a fair price.

    Like 0
  8. Avatar Pete

    I am thinking it was a typo on the price and they pulled the ad. They meant 5000

    Like 0

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