The Ex-Thierry Sabine – Dakar 1979 Assistance
1979 Toyota BJ43 « Land Cruiser

• Bought new by Diane Thierry-Mieg
• Driven by Thierry Sabine and his team for the first Dakar Rally (Oasis-Paris-Dakar)
• Restored by Teseven Toyota Classic with Toyota's approval

The Toyota Land Cruiser needs no introduction, so well established is its reputation around the world. Since 1951, it has been demonstrating its robustness across the continents!
Born on 13 June 1949 in Boulogne-Billancourt, Thierry Sabine began his career behind the wheel of the sports cars of the time, racing from 1969 in an Alpine A110, then in 1970 in a Porsche 911 S, all with good results, finishing second in the Critérium National des Rallyes (the French rally championship). In 1973, he also won the Rallye international de Picardie in an Alpine A110. Being something of an all-rounder, he also tried track racing, competing in endurance races, even taking the title of Champion de France des Circuits in a Porsche 911 3.0 RSR!
Just after graduating from studies in journalism, he was hired as a press officer by the town of Le Touquet-Paris-Plage, with the assignment of finding activities to enliven the town during the winter. This was where Thierry Sabine got drawn into events organisation and set up the famous Enduro du Touquet sand bike race. Meanwhile, he continued his career in motorsports, making his way into the final classification of the 1975 and 1976 24 Hours of Le Mans, sharing the wheel, for instance, with a certain Jean-Claude Andruet.
It was in January 1977 that the idea for his greatest work, the Paris-Dakar, took root. He was taking part in the Abidjan-Nice rally on a motorcycle and got lost in the desert, at the border between the Ténéré and Libya. His motorcycle ran out of fuel, leaving him no choice but to abandon it and continue on foot, without water or provisions, for three days. Fortunately, he was found by a reconnaissance plane sent out by the organiser. Thierry Sabine then fell in love with Africa, "It is an experience that I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy, but I will never regret it". On his return, he met Diane Thierry-Mieg, a Eurasian model, who he married in November of the same year. It was with her that Thierry Sabine finally established the Paris-Dakar, from 26 December 1978 to 14 January 1979. The idea was simple, a route starting in Paris, going through Algiers then Agadez, before finishing in Dakar. "A challenge for those who go. A dream for those who stay behind." The rest is history, a rally that celebrated its 47th edition in 2025 and which has attracted the greatest drivers in all categories.

In 1978, Thierry Sabine and Diane Thierry-Mieg acquired this Land Cruiser with the model's first earnings. It was a BJ43, chassis 3040, fitted with the robust 3.0L Type B diesel, which would have the burdensome task of carrying out reconnaissance and assistance on the first Paris-Dakar, in the hands of Thierry Sabine, along with his wife and his team of friends. Somewhat prepared for the occasion, the Toyota notably carried four jerrycans fixed to its bumpers, two spare wheels, a radio and a tripmeter. Emblazoned with the number 200, the Toyota demonstrated its robustness, its engine running almost 24 hours a day, responsible for timing the competitors, it covered the 10,000-kilometre route without any problems, from Trocadero to Dakar. Diane remembers "I did the whole of the first Paris-Dakar sitting on a crate between 2 seats".
For the next edition, the Toyota was once again put to work, but the growing organisational operation brought in an increasing number of vehicles, both on the road and in the skys, before the Toyota retired to the French countryside, sold to a friend of the Sabines, who used it for several years as a sturdy utility vehicle.
Thierry Sabine's BJ43 was eventually located during the 2010s by the Teseven Toyota Classic team, who understood the historical significance of the 4x4, and a major restoration then began. Teseven is one of the rare specialists recommended by Toyota for the restoration of Land Cruisers, their workshop in south-west France exudes a passion for and in-depth knowledge of the famous 'Yota. 450 hours were required to restore it to a condition as good as new and true to the first time it took part in the Paris-Dakar. The vehicle was completely dismantled, each part was restored in accordance with its original state, while specific parts from the period were found and fitted in the Toyota, with some improvements: a 12-volt electric winch, electric power steering, long-range Cibié headlights, Koni shock absorbers, a stainless steel exhaust pipe, 6 new BF Goodrich tyres, 4 Toyota jerrycans, a period Twinmaster, and a Président Valery vintage CB radio.

Since the restoration was completed, the Toyota has notably been exhibited at the Dakar retrospective at Rétromobile 2024, before being driven by Diane Thierry-Mieg in the 2024 Route des Légendes.
Today in rare, restored condition, this Toyota BJ43 represents a keystone of the Paris-Dakar's history, returned to its original configuration, or perhaps even better! The seller and restorer has informed us that they would like to continue to service the Toyota in years to come if it can occasionally be loaned for promotional purposes. This BJ43 is to be sold with its French registration document, as well as a certificate signed by Diane Thierry-Mieg.