1983 Toyota Land Cruiser LX

An iconic name in the history of off-road vehicles, Toyota's Landcruiser evolved from a vehicle designed to fulfill an order by the US military during the Korean War in 1951.

Sold with unburstable four-cylinder diesel or six-cylinder petrol engines, the Landcruiser proved hugely popular in the United States and many other export markets, including Australia where the model was first seen being used in the Snowy Mountains Scheme. Variants included the short-wheelbase J40, mid-size J43 and long-wheelbase J45 and by the 1970s the Landcruiser was considered a serious contender to the likes of Land Rover in the off-road stakes.

In 1983 the LX model saw the addition of triple wipers, sliding rear windows, a forward-facing rear seat and a five-speed gearbox, making the Landcruiser a more relaxed highway cruiser but it was a short-lived improvement, with the venerable 40-series finally pensioned off in 1984. There is burgeoning interest in early 4WDs today, with Toyota's seminal 40 series Landcruiser at the forefront of this movement - helped no doubt by the release of the retro-styled FJ Cruiser in recent years.

There are now specialists all over the world performing big dollar restorations on early Landcruisers to show standards for the first time and examples are beginning to appear - and fetch serious money - at major auction venues. In short, the J40 has become highly collectible.

We are very excited to bring to market this beautifully presented LX model. The drive is sensational, as we’ve come to expect from Toyota the J40’s simplicity makes it so easy to use and live with. Cold starts are a non-issue, gear changes feel perfectly mechanical and only require a light touch, steering is direct and light and it’s road manners easily outpace rivals like early Defenders.

In accompaniment is also this cars original Owner’s Manual with an authentic patina that matches its now 40 years of age, rarely seen with these cars.

The J40 is an excellent vehicle in every regard and good examples are quickly becoming highly desirable to collectors worldwide.

With loads of character, tough dependability and in excellent faithfully restored condition this J40 would be the ideal weekend warrior for the outdoorsperson with an eye for quality and collectability.