1976 Toyota Land Cruiser HJ45

Because it’s a long-wheelbase model fitted with the H-series diesel engine, ‘PAO 865P’ is an HJ45 and because it’s a pickup the somewhat ungainly look of the LWB ‘Troopy’ are neatly sidestepped courtesy of that useful loadbed. 

Upgraded with new wheels to show off its lift kit, the Land Cruiser also features a winch and reinforced front bumper. 

Don’t be misled by its good looks though, because it’s very far from being ‘all show and no go’ as it also benefits from a refurbished four-speed manual gearbox, which came all the way from South Africa.

Which is appropriate because that’s also where it spent the majority of its life. This means paperwork is pretty much non-existent but then the same can be said of rust, so #swingsandroundabouts, eh?

Still in the hands of its only UK owner, he’s honest enough to say that “it’s probably done a million miles in South Africa” but goes on to say it “gets more attention than any other that I’ve owned,” which is no mean feat given the other cars in his collection (we’re also selling his Jaguar E Type and BMW 2002tii, BTW).

The exterior is pretty much free of rust, rot and corrosion, which means your number one concern can be set aside. 

As well as being remarkably well preserved, the panels are also fairly straight; even though the Land Cruiser wears a patina better than most, there’s no need to excuse a working life’s-worth dents, dinks and other damage because there aren’t any.

Repainted in South Africa, the job was perhaps undertaken with more enthusiasm than skill and the owner admits that it’s “not the best respray” and is “starting to look its age”.

Upgraded LED lights front and rear bring a wonderful retro-mod look to the pickup, something the silver-and-black numberplates and new rear cover (complete with bespoke stainless connection brackets) contribute to.

Of course, we can’t neglect to mention the Bearmach Power Mach 12.0 winch, which is fitted to a suitably reinforced bumper. Rated to a 12,000lb pull courtesy of a 6hp motor and fitted with lightweight synthetic rope, the winch works as it should via the remote control.

Mind you, we’d expect its primary use to be helping others because we can’t foresee many circumstances when the 32x11.5R15 BF Goodrich KO2 all-terrain tyres wouldn’t be able to claw their way out of trouble…

New, their depth of tread is measured in inches rather than millimeters and we will never get tired of telling you that experience shows that matching high-quality tyres are an infallible sign of a caring and mechanically sympathetic owner who is prepared to spend the appropriate amount in maintaining their car properly. Their presence does not, of course, preclude the need for a thorough inspection - something the vendor would welcome, by the way – but it does perhaps give you a shortcut into their attitude towards maintenance.

A hi-lift jack is fitted to the nearside and other utilitarian features include a style bar in the rear load bed, PIAA LED driving lights, fixtures for a bonnet-mounted spare wheel, running boards to help entry, and a fresh air vent in either front wing.

The pickup bed is a bit scuffed and scratched but a) this is a working vehicle, b) no one is going to see it with the cover in place, and c) you could get it refinished in something like Raptor paint at a reasonable cost.

As for work to do, while the basic structure is solid there is some surface rust peering out from the seams of the tailgate, various parts of the load bed, and the windscreen bracket.

Some of the rubber window seals have perished too, so could do with being replaced.

If the exterior has been judiciously updated, the interior has been left wonderfully Old School. Wearing little more than a light patina, it’s still as functional, durable, and hard-wearing as Toyota intended.

The front seats are flat vinyl slabs, a single for the driver and a double for the passengers. In great shape, they make no pretence at providing any lateral support but then this is not a vehicle known for high-G jinks…

Aftermarket gauges for water temperature and fuel level have been fitted to supplement the factory items that have given up the ghost along with the speedometer.

The floor coverings are as down-to-earth as the rest of the interior appointments but they’re in good shape and protected by heavy duty rubber mats.

The headlining is good too, so if you don’t mind a little wear and tear on the controls you shouldn’t have much to do in here after you’ve given it a good clean.

As you can see, the 3.6-litre diesel starts willingly and settles into a typically gruff idle. It revs well too and has a workmanlike note to the side-exit exhaust.

It smokes heavily on start up, but we think that’s pretty common. It clears up nicely when it’s warm though, and the owner has been told it could be the diesel pump over-fueling it when it’s cold.

Built more for longevity than speed, the owner describes it as “mega reliable but awfully slow, due to the ancient diesel engine and low ratios in the gearbox” but then you don’t buy something like this for going fast in, do you?

The Warn freewheeling front hubs that are fitted should help both civility and fuel consumption, and you’ve got a proper low-ratio gearbox joined to the recently refurbished four-speed main gearbox.

As for the work that needs doing, the handbrake doesn’t work and we don’t like the look of the coiled positive cable from the battery either, so there are a couple of small jobs to keep you occupied this winter in between towing Defenders out of the snow.

Cosmetically, the engine bay is very good and needs nothing more than a little light detailing to allow it to fulfill its potential.

As for the underside, the underside of this South African Land Cruiser is a bit of a revelation. Free of structural rot and corrosion, there’s also enough space for a fully grown man to walk under there thanks to the suspension lift.* 

There’s a full-size spare wheel under there but it is age-perished and should be replaced.

* Hyperbole, but only just. Servicing would be a doddle lying on a creeper because there’s a huge amount of room for greasing, inspection, and making adjustments.

The Land Cruiser doesn’t have a current MoT certificate, and while it is exempt by virtue of its age, we would strongly encourage the new owner to have it MoT’d at the earliest opportunity. The cost of an MoT is a small investment when offset against the purchase and upkeep of any classic vehicle, and it gives an independent, third-party assessment of the car’s condition, which not only provides reassurance to the owner (and any subsequent purchasers) but might also be invaluable in the event of a bump when negotiating with the police and any interested insurance companies… 

If you’re looking for a Land Rover-style vehicle but have been put off by the idea of having to sort out a rotten chassis, then this Land Cruiser might be right up your street.

And lack of corrosion aside, the Toyota might just be a better bet than a Landy of the same vintage; while we yield to no one in our admiration of British engineering, the Japanese have been known to take a successful formula and make it even better…

Best of all, at a time when a freshly refurbished Icon Fj from the ‘States will set you back a minimum of $200,000 (plus taxes and shipping), we estimate this one could be yours for as little as a tenth of that…

Our estimate for this particular vehicle is £20,000 -£25,000.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located with the vendor in Newport, Wales. Viewings are strictly by appointment.  To make a booking, please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, and read our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.