TOYOTA BJ40

OVER the decades, off-road vehicles like the Mercedes G-wagen, Land Rover Defender and the Toyota FJ40 Land Cruiser have all etched their own legends into the hearts and minds of enthusiasts.

Utilitarian off-roaders that have built a following and shun traditional automotive evolution. Body on frame construction with lights, guards and bumpers all bolted to the body - functionality was large in a time where more and more often-inner workings are hidden away under bodywork and shrouds.

These 4x4s are the antithesis of crisp lines that ooze with suggestions of power and performance.

Slab-sided and blunt instruments they undoubtedly are, yet their uncompromising stance and display of function over form evokes a different kind of daydream and aspiration; dreams of possibilities, adventure and even escape.

The Toyota Land Cruiser built its formidable legend in the 1960’s and 70’s. In Australia it was massive infrastructure projects like the Snowy River hydroelectric project that introduced the Land Cruiser to a Land Rover dominated market. The Theiss Brothers first brought the 20 Series Land Cruiser to Australia in an effort to bolster their Snowy Hydro fleet as they simply could not get enough Land Rovers. The 20-series Land Cruiser proved a tough and reliable customer even if it did lack a low range transfer case.

Like the rise of the Land Rover, the story of the Land Cruiser goes hand in hand with postwar modernisation as we ventured further into the wilderness in search of agricultural and mineral wealth.

Cleated tyres and booted feet marched through parts of the Australian interior that had previously barely been visited by Europeans. A legend borne out of reliability and tenacity