Here’s another in the SUV/MPV category that is showing growth in the collectability department. Just like early ’70s Ford Broncos, Toyota’s Land Cruiser FJ40 values appear to be on the way up and today, we have a 1980 survivor to review. It is located in Glastonbury, Connecticut and is available, here on eBay for a current bid of $10,600, reserve not yet met.

Built between 1960 and 1984, The Toyota Land Cruiser J40, the original version, and then the and FJ40 (a J40 with an F series engine), was a two-door Land Cruiser designed with Jeep CJ size and characteristics in mind. The J40 and FJ40 were the shortest of a trio of sizes offered with the “40” series having a rather truncated 90″ wheelbase. There were other body styles including a four-door and a pickup truck, both known as FJ45’s, though some models were limited by geography. While J and FJ40 production technically ended in 1984, it did continue in Brazil through 2001 with what was known as the Bandeirante produced by Toyota of Brazil. You can peruse some FJ40 history here.

This is another one of those maddening, tight-lipped listings that only states, “1980 Toyota Land Cruiser stored in a garage. Please email with questions. Have exterior/interior images hopefully helps with condition of FJ40. Vehicle runs“. And that’s all she wrote. There are no images of the engine but it should be a Toyota 2F which is a six-cylinder, in-line unit, good for 135 HP. The included image above is a stock photo, not the actual engine from this vehicle. In this case, the motor works through a four-speed manual transmission with a transfer case attached for 4X4 operation. As previously noted by the seller, “it runs” – not exactly a ringing endorsement!

The mileage is recorded as 37K, so it has probably been once around but the exterior shows pretty well nevertheless. There is some rust along the edge of the rear doors and maybe the rain gutter too, while the white stripe is fading away in places but beyond that, no issues. This FJ40 is domiciled in Connecticut but there is no word if The Constitution State is its original home. Such a vehicle would be appropriate for CT’s winter weather and the good news is that there doesn’t appear to be any visible salt damage on this Toyota. Of note are the spring shackles, they look like recent replacements.

The interior is about as utilitarian as one would expect. The assumption is that there would be a rubber mat on the floor but one isn’t evident, and what is, is not painted the same color as the rest of the interior. Curiously, the bare steel ceiling is showing what looks like a patina of surface rust – that’s the sort of thing car restorers seem to want on the outside these days, but not necessarily inside. The instrument panel and steering wheel are groody looking but it’s probably from accumulated use, age, and handling – but the seats and door cards look fine. As is too often the case, the cargo area is loaded up with odds and ends making viewing difficult – the spare tire should probably be attached to something and just not riding footloose in the rear.

Toyotas are high milers so even if the mileage is 137K, this FJ40 should still have plenty of life, assuming that it has been maintained and not abused. A quick cruise around Hemmings shows FJ40 values from this era at $50K and up, in some cases, considerably more, depending on condition – something to consider. Anyway, what do you think, a good alternative to a Jeep CJ or a vehicle unto its own?