1970 Toyota FJ

Price – $38,999 – Make an offer

BK Auto Auctions Proudly presents this awesome 1970 Toyota FJ finished in a maroon red. This Toyota was 4×4 was treated to new paint, all new emblems, new tires and wheels along with a new interior. Powering this FJ is a six-cylinder engine rated at a modest 135 horsepower. The odometer shows just over 64,500 miles but due to age is milage exempt. This truck comes with a clean Missouri title.

Since it was introduced to the United States in 1963, the Toyota FJ40 Land Cruiser has gone from being a bare-bones utilitarian 4×4 workhorse to a highly desirable collector vehicle with many commanding price tags approaching six figures for well-restored examples.

Japan’s answer to the World War II era Jeep, the first FJ40’s were introduced in Japan and other overseas markets in 1960.  Within two years after the Land Cruiser’s debut in the United States it was far and away the top selling Toyota model in the country.

A short wheelbase four wheel drive, the FJ40 was by all accounts a vehicle designed for work rather than pleasure although many saw both.  With a slightly longer wheelbase than the Jeep CJ series, many FJ’s found a home on farms and ranches where a full size pickup was not needed.  At the time the GFJ was considered to be relatively inexpensive and very reliable which gives an explanation why good original examples are very rare today.  The FJ40 was available in a hardtop or soft top version.

Power for the FJ40 came from a six-cylinder engine rated at a modest 135 horsepower.  The powerplant was mated to a three-speed manual transmission and a transfer case controlling two and four wheel drive with low and high ranges.  Manual hubs on the front wheel were used to lock in the four wheel drive functions.  Amenities such as power steering and power brakes were available in later years of production, which ended in 1984.

The speedometer cluster also incorporated a temperature gauge, an oil pressure gauge, a gas gauge and an amp gauge to allow the driver to monitor the functions of the vehicle.  The interior was also rather spartan by contemporary standards with seating for two in the front and a pair of folding jump seats in the rear to maximize cargo space when not in use.

While four cylinder and six cylinder diesel engines were available in Land Cruisers exported to other countries, only gas-powered vehicles were sold to the general public in the United States.  Over the years many enthusiasts chose to swap out the original engine for something with more power, the prime candidate being the venerable Chevy small block V8.  Along with that modification, many also convert to a modern automatic transmission and stronger axles.

The popularity of these vehicles remains high despite production ceasing over 35 years ago.  Toyota created a second-generation FJ40 several years ago and, while popular, was a much different vehicle than the initial Land Cruiser.  Prices of well-restored, originals examples have remained high for several years and demand remains strong.

This 1970 Toyota FJ40 Land Cruiser is an excellent example of a vehicle that maintains the original configuration it left the factory with.  Manufactured in June 1970, this vehicle was treated to a restoration by the original owner shortly before it was acquired by the present owner in July 2011.  All the original-style driveline sits between the frame rails of this California truck, which was purported to be rust-free at the time of restoration.  The 4×4 was treated to new paint, all new emblems, new tires and wheels along with a new interior.  We believe the odometer reading of just over 64,500 miles to be correct, but in accordance with statutes governing car dealers in the state of Missouri this vehicle will be sold “mileage exempt” due to age.  While in the portfolio of the present owner the FJ40 has been housed in a humidity-controlled environment.