1978 Toyota FJ40

This FJ40 Land Cruiser was built in May 1978 and destined for export to Indonesia. Although local production of the FJ40 was well underway by then, this model’s data plate suggests it is a Japanese built vehicle subsequently supplied to Indonesia. It was reportedly supplied as part of an order for the Indonesian armed forces who were traditionally big users of this flexible and robust utility vehicle.

The next we know of this Land Cruiser is that it was imported to the UK during 2024 and first registered here in October of that year. Current owner, Michael, has been the sole UK registered keeper to date. The FJ40 has previously been the recipient of an “overseas respray,” presenting today in its deep Buffalo Brown hue. This Toyota is an FJ model designating it as four wheel drive (a two wheel drive version was also offered) and is configured in short wheelbase, two door station wagon guise.
 

Apocryphally the Toyota reverse engineers were instructed to “not make it look too much like a Jeep,” when designing their blatant Jeep facsimile. That becomes all the more challenging still, of course, when utilitarian four-wheel drive vehicles intrinsically demand short overhangs, boxy bodies and big wheels and tyres at each corner.

Those design imperatives, aside, the FJ40 retains a charming Tonka-esque rough, toughness that is entirely appropriate to its capabilities. By today’s standards it seems surprisingly narrow and tall, but it is highly recognisable by most and is a sure-fire head turner and conversation starter. As previously alluded to, this example has been resprayed, in the last couple of years, in an official J40 shade, Buffalo Brown. This finish seems appropriately thickly and evenly applied and exudes a good level of lustre throughout. Some contrast is provided by the white of the radiator finisher and roof panel and the silver of the front bumper and rear overriders. 

Inevitably enough, however, the exterior finish is not without some issues. Various areas of imperfection are noted to include scratches, paint chips, cracking and some corrosion staining. These are relatively minor mostly but do leave the potential for further improvement should the next owner see fit. The roof panel is an obvious weak link, as it appears to have been brush painted at some point. To bring this Land Cruiser up to an excellent standard may require a full respray at some point, but what’s here is entirely serviceable.  

The rear of the FJ40 is configured with a pair of outward opening “barn doors” which afford access to the rear cabin. A hinged, tubular spare wheel carrier secures across one rear door and caries a spare wheel and tyre. Whilst on the subject, the FJ40 sits on a set of 15-inch, pressed steel wheels which are finished in black. These are centred with a matching set of conically shaped chrome hubcaps. A deeply impressive, matching set of Achilles Desert Hawk XMT knobbly tyres is fitted in a 33 x 12.50 configuration.
 

It will come as a surprise to few that the FJ40’s interior is a utilitarian and eminently practical affair, devoid of fripperies or mis-placed luxury. It is the perfect environment for a rough, tough off-road icon of this nature, however. The condition and originality are admirable, and this is a vehicle that will have no problem coping the odd muddy boot or two.

Rubber, vinyl and painted steel are very much the substrates de jour for this Land Cruiser. The front cabin is fitted with an individual driver’s seat and a two passenger bench seat that but neatly up to each other. These are faced with perforated black vinyl, feature forward folding seat backs and present very well indeed. The floors of the front cabin are trimmed in a fitted, heavy-duty rubber mat set. This protects the underlying floors which appear to have been undersealed before being over-painted. The door cards are finished in grey vinyl and the perorated, vinyl headlining is finished in a light hue. This appears tightly fitted and extends throughout the entire cabin.

The dashboard of the FJ40 is finished in body coloured steel beneath a black vinyl trimmed foam top roll. The white on black instruments are confined to a silver fronted binnacle ahead of the driver. This is centred with a large speedometer, calibrated in kilometres per hour, and four supplemental gauges. These sit behind the original black, three-spoke steering wheel. The rest of the dashboard is scattered with supplemental control knobs and warning lights. An integral glove box features gearbox and transfer box instructions affixed to its steel lid. 

The commodious rear cabin is accessed by the outward opening twin rear doors. This is finished in body-coloured steel, predominantly, with the painted floor textured in finish to prevent slipping. A pair of inward facing bench seats are fitted, finished in matching black vinyl and folding up when not required.
 

The FJ40 hails from a period when a basic and straight forward mechanical specification was just what you needed in your rugged four-wheel drive utility vehicle of choice. In this case, that equates to a Toyota 2F, six cylinder petrol engine with a 4230cc displacement and overhead valves actuated by pushrods from a gear driven camshaft in the lower portion of the engine. For a big unit, the 2F was mildly tuned to aid longevity and reliability and originally rated at around 135bhp. Of more relevance to such an accomplished off-roader it also delivers around 200lb-ft of torque from just 2,000rpm. This erstwhile and well proven power plant is mated with a four speed manual transmission and a low / high ratio transfer box. The vendor reports this FJ40 to be mechanically very sound and driving very well.

The under-bonnet presentation looks highly original and generally well sorted. All the expected data-plates are present, and a number of recent looking pipes and other components are noted. The underside of the FJ40 looks very impressive for the vehicle’s age and type. Again the originality quotient seems high with the possible exception of some more contemporary Pro Comp shock absorbers.
 

There is little of note to report here. The current V5 in the name of the owner is on-hand. This classifies the FJ40 as a Historic Vehicle and, as such, MoT and VED exempt in the UK. Two sets of keys are included as is our in-house car check report. The latter is less informative then usual due to this Land Cruiser having only arrived on our shores last year.

Those post-war Toyota engineers did a pretty good job with their reverse engineering efforts, it seems. The J-series of rugged off-roaders reached a production total of around 800,000 units before being discontinued in the mid-1980’s. The succession of Land Cruisers that followed, however, owed their fearsome reputation and very existence to these rudimentary utilitarian's.

This example strikes a desirable balance, too. It presents in a very useable and generally presentable condition and perfectly ready for immediate use and enjoyment. It also offers a degree of room for improvement if so desired and we all know it’s nice to have options. Leave it as it is and enjoy it to the full or further improve it into the showstopper it could so easily become.  The choice is yours and in either event you will unlikely be disappointed. 

We are happy to offer this car for auction with an estimate in the range of £18,000 - £23,000.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT and we are open weekdays between 10am - 12pm or 2pm - 4pm. To make a booking, please use the ‘Enquire About This Vehicle’ button on the listing. Feel free to ask any questions, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.