"Launched in 1960 and produced until September 1984, Toyota produced its first off road model in 1951 and the 40 series Landcruiser was its derivative. Lefthand drive versions were assembled in Brazil up to 2001. The 40 series proved so successful, as a testament to its ruggedness, reliability, and high quality Japanese engineering, that in time it became the vehicle of choice for off road dependability. The vehicles were available in both diesel (BJ) and petrol (FJ) models, but ultimately the diesel proved more popular, with its low rev torque delivery, better economy, and superior capability to run in all weather conditions. The B series diesels proved so dependable that they acquired the nickname ‘the million mile motor’! The design was influenced by the Willys Jeep with its iconic shape, and the styling is now considered to be ‘on trend’.
This restored righthand drive example comes with a ‘Toyota Club’ dating certificate, confirming it is one of the last Japanese built cars, manufactured in August 1984 and thus benefitting from all the latest period updates. These included front disc brakes, free-wheeling hubs, power steering and door cards, which the earlier cars did not have. This is the hard top version, with its curved corner windows, and is ideal for UK climates. However the roof and rear body panels can be unbolted for open summer use, plus the windscreen can be folded flat onto the bonnet catches for a full Safari look. Having spent its life in the tropics, where salt is put on food, not the roads, it was worthy of a full panel off body restoration (photo album on file) and subsequent repaint in the factory Toyota colours of Sky Blue and contrasting roof in Cygnus White, using the original PPG Acrylic paint type used by Toyota in period, for an authentic finish. Many parts were replaced, including new Toyota supplied window rubbers and stainless steel nuts and bolts were used throughout the body rebuild. The seats were re-trimmed in black leather, with quilting and blue stitching. The roof lining and black dashtop were also re-trimmed. Mechanically, the car was fitted with the uprated ‘2B’ 3168cc diesel engine (which is torquier than the original 2977cc unit). The car was mechanically refreshed, with many replacement parts, including brake servo, brake master cylinder, front and rear brake hoses, body bushes, uprated shock absorbers with polybushes and leaf spring bushes. New oil seals and hub seals were fitted as required. The injector pump was checked and tuned for mixture. This BJ40 is fitted with air conditioning and is supplied with V5C registration document and a current MoT test certificate valid until September 2020; this fun 4x4 is a rare sight on British roads and is ready to be enjoyed in the forthcoming years."