THE INDOMITABLE LAND CRUISER
Toyota’s longest-running model gets a little love
We have noted many significant motoring milestones in these pages and, while cars are closest to our hearts, it’s time to tip our hats to Toyota’s Land Cruiser, which, for more than 70 years, has been a permanent yet always evolving feature of the motoring landscape.
The origins of the Land Cruiser date back to 1941, when the Japanese government instructed Toyota to produce a light truck for Japan’s military after seeing Jeeps in action in the Pacific war. Toyota developed the AK10, a half-tonne truck with angular wheel arches that show the lineage to the FJ40 and, of course, to the Jeep, but it never appeared in Jeep-like numbers.
In 1950, during the Korean War, the US government ordered 100 vehicles to a Willys design from Toyota. In 1953, Toyota went on to market these locally as the Toyota Jeep BJ. The Jeep BJ had part-time four-wheel drive but no low range, yet it still managed to climb further up Mt Fuji than any other vehicle, thus winning an order from the Japanese police. In 1954, as production of the local version ramped up, and after some discussions with Willys over trademarks, Toyota’s director of technology, Hanji Umehara, renamed the vehicle ‘Land Cruiser’.
Later versions followed; the 20 series in 1955 and in 1958 the FJ25 became the first vehicle Toyota produced overseas, sold with a Mercedes engine in Brazil as the Bandeirante.
TIMELESS APPEAL
Toyota really hit its straps with the FJ40 in 1960. It had a ruggedly beautiful new body, a new motor, and low range but still only three speeds. In 1965, Consolidated Motor Industries became the first sole agent in New Zealand. Local content was ramped up to include glass, seats, tyres, and audio. The FJ40’S SWB series remained in production well into the 1980s. While the local market heavily favoured British products, the Japanese rival’s bigger engines and ability to cruise
The Jeep BJ had no low range yet still managed to climb further up Mt Fuji than any other vehicle, winning an order from the Japanese police
at higher speeds than the agricultural Land Rovers built a dedicated following in Australia and here.
The 55 Series was launched with upmarket SUV ambitions and was the first real station wagon in the Land Cruiser series. It maintained the running gear and mechanicals of the 40, and its go anywhere reputation. The Series carried the brand from 1967 to 1980. In 1981, one million Land Cruisers were sold.
By the early 1980s, Toyota had split the Land Cruiser into recreational and commercial ranges. The SWB 55 was replaced by the 60 series. In 1985, a direct-injection turbo diesel engine was introduced. The Land Cruiser family grew again in the late ’80s, with the 73 Series targeting the recreational buyer. The 73 subsequently wore the new Prado badge.
The 80 Series was launched in late 1990, with a more powerful power train, higher specifications, and fulltime four-wheel drive.
In 1997 a limited run of Land Cruiser FJ80S was marketed in America as 40th Anniversary Limited Editions models. A total of 4744 were manufactured.
THE LAP OF LUXURY
Previewed at the 1997 Tokyo Motor Show as the Grand Cruiser, the 100 Series had a Lexus V8 engine, introduced to help sales in North America. It also rode on a slightly wider chassis cushioned by independent front suspension.
In 2000, Toyota celebrated 50 years of Land Cruiser, with a total global production of 3.72 million vehicles.
After nine years, the 100 Series was replaced by the 200 Series in 2007. New features included anti-roll bars and an all-v8 power train range, petrol and diesel.
The variants available today are the 76 wagon, 78 Series troop carrier, ute, and cab chassis models, all powered by the V8 engine from the 200 Series.
Launched in 2021, the new 300 Series brings us up to date with its twin turbocharged V6 engine replacing the V8. Inevitably, the brand will continue with an electrified power train under its bonnet, showing Toyota’s and Land Cruiser’s ability to reinvent itself continually to meet evolving demand.