The Beginning of the Land Cruiser

Toyota's Land Cruiser story began in 1951 with the BJ, a rugged four-wheel-drive vehicle originally developed for the Japanese National Police Reserve. The vehicle was later adapted for civilian use, and the Land Cruiser name was adopted in 1954.

From the beginning, the Land Cruiser was designed around durability and off-road ability. Toyota's reputation for building reliable vehicles in demanding environments would become closely associated with the Land Cruiser name.

The 40 Series

The third-generation Land Cruiser, known as the 40 Series, was introduced in 1960. Available in several wheelbases and body styles, it was designed to serve a wide range of working and transport roles.

The 40 Series quickly gained an international reputation for its reliability, durability and ability to tackle difficult terrain. It became especially popular in countries where vehicles were required to operate in remote and demanding conditions.

The 1966 FJ40

This 1966 example is a Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40. It is powered by Toyota's F-series 3,878 cc inline six-cylinder petrol engine and uses a three-speed manual gearbox.

The engine was designed for durability and strong low-speed performance, characteristics that suited the Land Cruiser's role as a working four-wheel-drive vehicle.

Built for Tough Conditions

The Land Cruiser's combination of a strong chassis, four-wheel drive and simple mechanical design made it particularly valuable to farmers, tradespeople and operators working far from major towns.

In New Zealand, the J40 became a familiar sight on farms and rural properties, where its rugged construction and ability to handle difficult terrain made it a practical working vehicle.

A Global Reputation

The 40 Series became one of Toyota's most successful international models. Toyota describes the series as having achieved worldwide popularity as a reliable cross-country vehicle, with the model remaining in production for around 24 years.

Although the 70 Series was introduced in 1984 as its successor, the 40 Series continued in production in some markets into 1986.

A Land Cruiser Classic

The J40 became an icon of Toyota's early four-wheel-drive engineering. Its simple construction, dependable mechanical components and exceptional reputation for durability have ensured that surviving examples remain highly regarded today.

This 1966 FJ40 represents an important period in the development of the Land Cruiser and the beginning of the model's long association with rural and working life in New Zealand.