Description

1982 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ45

Unbelievably cool and rugged FJ45 from South Africa with straight-six petrol engine and 4-speed manual 'box; recent restorative works and UK registered - be the envy of everyone in this truck!

Dating from January 1982 this later model J-series FJ40 long wheel base (F) Land Cruiser pick up truck oozes a cool-factor equalled by very few cars on the road today (we think so anyway).

Hailing from sunny South Africa, this FJ was imported a couple of years ago and has since undergone some gentle restoration. The single cab roof proved particularly elusive and was eventually sourced from Columbia of all places (the FJ40 was also built in Brazil until 2001 where it was called the Bandeirante and in Venezuela too, where it was called El Macho…obviously).

Under the bonnet sits a 'tough as old boots' straight-six 3F petrol engine as marked, ((see pictures) while the log book states 4.2 litres, we believe the 3F variant fitted to be a 4.0 straight-six engine, introduced in 1985 according to online research which developed 20bhp more than the previous 2F 4.2 litre straight-six engine originally fitted giving much improved on-road performance) mated to four-speed manual transmission driving all four wheels.

Up front we also note a beefy looking Rhino winch and modern LED head lights.  It is fitted with a set of white 15” steel wheels shod with beefy Bridgestone Dueller A/T tyres and at the back a tow bar arrangement offering various types of coupling and electrics.

The interior has reskinned seat covers with modern harness style belts and room for three. We noticed the driver’s window mechanism didn’t operate properly on the manual winder.  The original South African number plates are also present which is a nice touch as a nod to its past.

The load area is vast and covered in a waxed canvas tilt with zip-up sides covering breathable mesh, and the rear rolls up for access.  In the back, we find some boxes of spare parts including a service kit, spare 2nd hand carb and car cover for the vehicle.

The history file includes the V5C confirming UK registration in July 2021 and one UK owner (our vendor) who has spent much time and money making it look as good as it does. There are some import documents, current MOT valid until April 2023 recording no advisories at 05,637 miles, one old MOT from 2021, DVLA import/registration docs, South African export docs from Cape Town dated January 2018 and copy South African registration document/Title.  There are no documents for the associated restorative works on file, however much of it is evident on looking around and underneath the truck including the new stainless exhaust, but we do have a selection of images on file of the truck in various states of undress during the recommissioning process.

Ready to be enjoyed, our vendor has poured heart and soul into this truck, but found ‘doing it’ more exciting than using it, and thus it is offered for sale. It was driven from Cardiff on a trouble-free leisurely run in the sunshine.

For more information contact - will.daniels@brightwells.com