1973 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ 40

The Toyota Land Cruiser was offered in several sizes, configurations, and engines. They were patterned after the Jeep and Land Rover utility vehicles, and demonstrated that Toyota could do more than produce just economical cars. Introduced in 1960, the FJ40 remained in production for a quarter century, the longest-lived model in the company's history. The first Toyota sport utility vehicle went into production in 1951. It was developed from Jeep specifications with a more powerful six-cylinder engine. The initial models, called 'Toyota Jeep BJ' were immediately popular. The name Land Cruiser, coined by technical director Hanji Umehara in 1954, evoked the spirit of the British Land Rover.

The best-known and most popular model was the FJ40 which dates from 1960. The engine offered 125 horsepower and a two-speed transfer case was added to the three-speed gearbox, giving six forward ratios and two in reverse. The fourth-generation F4 received more rectangular arches, a bezel framing the headlamps and radiator grille, and folding jump seats in the cargo area. For 1974, a four-speed gearbox was added. Through 1984, over a million examples were built. The J70, introduced that year, gave the Land Cruiser new mechanical specifications and a new appearance.

The Land Cruiser was a popular choice for farmers, explorers, and anyone who traversed unfamiliar and unfriendly terrain. Over nearly seven decades, in excess of ten million examples have been sold.

By Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2020