From the collection of Alastair Caldwell
1981 Toyota FJ40 Land Cruiser 4x4

• Iconic Japanese off-roader
• 4.2-litre straight six petrol engine
• Manual transmission
• Purchased in Greece in 2022
• Serviced and ready to go anywhere

In WW2 Toyota was charged with developing a Jeep-like four-wheel-drive off-road vehicle for the Japanese military, but it was not until the Korean War that this type of product began to assume any degree of importance for the firm. Commissioned by the United States government, the Toyota Jeep BJ that first appeared in 1951 was both larger and more powerful than the Willys Jeep that had inspired it, boasting a 3.4-litre six-cylinder overhead-valve engine. Following the end of the Korean War in 1953, Toyota began exploring the civilian potential of its new off-roader, introducing a more refined version powered by a 3.9-litre engine – the 20 Series – in 1955, by which time the evocative 'Land Cruiser' name had already been adopted. In 1960 the concept was updated as the 'FJ40', which for the first time incorporated a low-range auxiliary transmission complementing the existing three-speed synchromesh gearbox, giving six forwards speeds in total.

Toyota's iconic Land Cruiser is one of the few (possibly the only) 4x4 whose reputation compares favourably with that of the Land Rover. The Land Cruiser's impact has been considerable in the developing world. Countless versions, both two- and four-door, have been built over the years on different wheelbase lengths and with either petrol or (from 1974) diesel engines, while some have been made with two-wheel drive only. The Land Cruiser was also built in Brazil as the 'Bandeirante' up to 2001.

Dating from 1981, the restored Land Cruiser offered here is powered by the 4.2-litre, straight six petrol engine and has manual transmission. As such it is a relatively late example of the original Land Cruiser family, which was superseded in 1984 by the J70 series. This Toyota FJ40 was purchased in Greece in January 2022, initially to compete in Greek classic rallies, and was imported into the UK very recently. Initially registered in Indonesia, it was used in Greece before being purchased by Alastair to use there for classic rallies. Unusually, it has fitted air conditioning, which is fully working. Since its arrival in the UK the vehicle has been returned to its factory suspension setup with new road springs and shock absorbers, and is serviced and ready to go anywhere. A 'must have' for the serious 4x4 collector/enthusiast. Offered with a V5C document and current MoT.