Sold at Bonhmas Quail Lodge, August 15th, 2014.

The original sales invoice for this Land Cruiser, a long-wheelbase FJ43 model, indicates that it was first sold by Distribuidora Toyota in Bogota, Colombia in 1973 to a Mrs. Corzo. It had traveled to Colombia early in 1972 directly from Nagoya, Japan, where it was loaded on the vessel Oversea Fruitbound for Bogota. It is a factory-original Rustic Green example as confirmed by the sales invoice, which simply records its color as Verde.

An early example of the Land Cruiser breed, it is fitted with a three-speed manual transmission and features details exclusive to the first Land Cruisers, such as the early style steering wheel and mirrors. Accordingly, it is an “all manual” truck with no power options--just as its manufacturer intended. 

Corzo kept her FJ43 for several decades, using it as a transport vehicle for her dairy business. A file of maintenance papers as well as registration tax documents kept by the first and second owners show how meticulous both seemed to be. This FJ43 was not acquired by its second owner until 2002, who kept the car in the dry climate of Bogota for many more years before it was acquired by us.

We immediately embarked on an extensive, photo-documented restoration to transform this vehicle into one of the finest Land Cruisers available. The body and chassis were sandblasted, the chassis powder-coated, the engine rebuilt. New manual-locking AVM hubs were added, and the clutch assembly is new. The braking system and suspension were rebuilt to original specifications. Finally, the wiring harness was completely redone. 

Fitted with a correct, reproduction tan soft-top, this FJ43 provides protection from the elements. New upholstery was installed, while the rest of the interior was refreshed. Invoices for most of the major parts used in the restoration are included in the car’s history file.

These long-wheelbase Land Cruiser FJs, hardly known in the U.S., were prized possessions around the world because of their increased interior space and improved ride. Presented stunningly in its original color and with a fresh, factory-correct restoration, this FJ43 is a striking vintage Toyota, with plenty of room to go hit the road with some friends.