• Running and operational hero of an FJ 

• Discovered in the Australian bush and brought to the UK as a project

• Upper bodywork untouched

• Astonishingly solid and highly original
• Extremely rare early model with original factory fitted wooden tray-back

Toyota has the Korean War to thank for the Land Cruiser. 

When the Imperial Japanese Army occupied the Philippines in 1941, they found an American Willys Jeep and promptly sent it to Japan for further investigation. The Japanese government immediately ordered Toyota to produce a similar vehicle, but to alter the appearance so it wasn’t so similar.

Hence, the all-round leaf springs, the four-cylinder in-line six and the rather rudimentary layout of the early examples – a far cry from the luxury Land Cruisers of today.

Of all the early Land Cruisers, it’s the 1960-1984 J40 – or ‘FJ’ - that’s the most enduring, appealing and identifiable. Sold the world over, it accrued almost a million sales in just under a quarter of a century on sale, and it remains one of the most competent off-roaders ever made. 

It’s no coincidence, then, that the Land Cruiser was a big success in Australia where it took the rugged terrain in its stride. The utility Land Cruiser’s spiritual successor, the Hilux, remains the best-selling vehicle in Australia to this day. 

These days, though, there’s one less utilitarian Toyota in the outback. Why? Because this one spent three decades abandoned in a desert, before being discovered by a British enthusiast who had it shipped back to the UK in a container, desert dust and all… 

The odds against it ever seeing the road again were stacked against it for decades. But sometimes, a roll of the dice pays off. Once abandoned and discarded, it lives again – and it wears its scars in a beautiful, inimitable, authentic way.

There’s one clue as to the Land Cruiser’s history – a dealer sticker in the rear window from Rockhampton Car Sales in Denison Street. Rockhampton is a small city in inland Queensland, midway between Brisbane and Cairns, and is the gateway to Australia’s Northern Territory. 

Interestingly, the site today is still a Toyota Main Dealership (Ian Weigh Toyota) so a piece of the truck’s heritage survives. 

Amazingly, the dealer sticker is still in good order after years of sun exposure, and is a wonderful period feature. It’s all that’s really known about the truck, though – vehicles that are found in the desert rarely come with service history. But they wear a story or two of their own….

All of the import paperwork is complete including the NOVA certificate and the Land Cruiser is officially in the UK

However, it has yet to be registered and there is no V5. It’s a simple process once the truck is finished and ready to use, as the critical papers have already been completed and filed. A first registration fee and a V5 application should be all that’s required. Once registered, it will be tax and MOT exempt. 

Where to start? This is an early round bezel model with a tale to tell, and every single one of its battle scars no doubt has a story of its own behind it.

There isn’t a panel without a dent, scrape or rusty patch, though with the exception of some inconsequential holes in the front mudguards, the Land Cruiser is amazingly solid. Astonishingly so, in fact. 

The chassis is dusty and has surface rust, but it is rock solid, as are the outriggers, crossmembers and leaf springs. 

The wooden load bay is weathered, but has its own charm, in stark contrast to the brand new off-road tyres and chrome wheel centres – the only outward hint that this might not be the sand-blasted work horse it appears to be. The seller will also provide "half doors" giving the opportunity to have the vehicle being driven in what commonly described as "Safari style" which is the windscreen down and roof off.

The "Safari style and charm" will certainly turn heads whenever the FJ45 sets to the road and will certainly stand out in a crowd of modern convertibles. Either with the windscreen down, half doors fitted, or even both, this FJ45 is without a doubt, a unique and exclusive vehicle.

This entire truck has an incredible patina - a wonderful, worn and jaded appearance that needs to be preserved exactly as is – as if it has just emerged from a desert ditch to live once again. Which it has…

A similar story unfolds inside, with the cabin as careworn as the weather worn exterior. The seats are tired and cracked with foam spilling out. 

The rest of it shares the same rugged, browbeaten charm of the bodywork – surface rust and dust aplenty, but it’s all there (as rudimentary as it is) and it all works.

At the time of our visit, the Land Cruiser was still undergoing a partial engine rebuild so we were unable to hear it running however since writing this, the vendor confirms that the engine has been started, and runs, as confirmed by their resident mechanic.

Amazingly, despite sitting for three decades, the engine turned freely when discovered and fired up with fuel poured directly into the carb. The vendor has said it will be up to the buyer to ensure its roadworthiness before using it on the public road.

Don’t expect to buy it to then jump straight into and drive around – it’ll need some fettling and TLC before you use it in anger. The hard work, though, has already been done.

The Front bumper and wheel caps along with all service parts are with the vehicle, the service parts will be fitted by a professional mechanic prior to the auction.

The seller will pass on to the purchaser a parts supply contact he has found that will supply any parts required at a very reasonable price. The vendor has already obtained quotes and is happy to pass them onto the new buyer upon request. 

There’s cool, and then there’s off-the-scale. This truck isn’t just cool; it’s agonisingly, painfully cool. It has a Mad Max, post-apocalyptic vibe to it. The patina of a hard-nosed survivor. A truck that refuses to die.

Whatever you do, if you buy it, please don’t restore it. This is a vehicle that tells a thousand tales, a piece of motoring history that ought to be enjoyed and preserved for future generations. 

It’s brilliant!

Notice to bidders