1988 Toyota Landcruiser Utility

Description

An iconic name in the history of off-road vehicles, Toyota's Landcruiser evolved from a vehicle designed to fulfill an order by the US military during the Korean War in 1951. The first civilian version, the 20 Series, gave way to the classic 40 Series in 1960, with numerous improvements designed to give the Landcruiser broader appeal and more versatility. Sold with unburstable four-cylinder diesel or six-cylinder petrol engines, the Landcruiser proved hugely popular in the United States and many other export markets, including Australia, where the model was first seen being used in NSW’s Snowy Mountains Scheme.  Variants included the short-wheelbase J40, mid-size J43 and long-wheelbase J45, and by the 1970s the Landcruiser was considered a serious contender to the likes of Land Rover in the off-road stakes. In 1984 Toyota launched the 70/75 Series workhorse model to finally replace the 25-year-old 40 Series. Designed to retain the off-road capabilities and durability associated with earlier model, the 70/75 Series retained a styling family resemblance to the 40 Series but was more angular, and was available in three wheelbase variations for different applications. The long-wheelbase (LWB) came as cab-chassis/utility with a tray and in "troop carrier" hard-top configuration. Again, there was an array of petrol and diesel engine options depending on model and market. There is burgeoning interest in early 4WDs today, with Toyota's seminal 40 Series Landcruiser at the forefront of this movement - helped no doubt by the release of the retro-styled FJ Cruiser in 2003. There are now specialists all over the world performing big dollar restorations on early Landcruisers to show standards for the first time and examples are beginning to appear - and fetch serious money - at major auction venues.  In short, the Landcruiser has become highly collectible.