On Monday, Japan Time, Toyota held a Land Cruiser Motor Show at their MegaWeb car mall in Odaiba, Tokyo. The occasion was the 30th anniversary of the 70-Series Land Cruiser, a truck that has just been re-released for sale in Japan.
First, a little background. The 70-Series Land Cruiser debuted in 1984, but Toyota sold only the SUV style LC70 for the Japanese market until 2004. From then on it was sold only for export.
Since this is the 30th anniversary of the LC70 and it has become a staple for so many countries, Japan will get a chance to purchase the LC70 again, new, for one year, right after a decade-long lull. In addition, for the first time, Japanese customers can purchase the pickup version as well.
Each LC70 will come with a 30th anniversary badge, special owner’s manual and special documentation. Furthermore, current-gen Land Cruisers will come out with two special editions too, each with special badges and color combos. An updated 4.0-liter V6 backed by a 5-speed manual is the only drivetrain option. If this is the kind of rig you think you might want, get ready to be jealous because the starting price is just ¥3.5 million, or about $33,700 USD.
Toyota also displayed several Land Cruisers of all generations both old and new. Here are some of the highlights:
A very spartan predecessor to the Land Cruiser, the Toyota BJ, commissioned by the US Armed Forces to be built by Toyota for the Korean War.
Awesomely, unlike the mint six-figure FJ40s we saw in Monterey, Toyota bravely brought in Cruisers with bruises.
A basic but honest long-wheelbase FJ45V.
An restored FJ55, aka the Iron Pig.
What this FJ60 lacked in oxidation-free sheetmetal it more than made up for in personality.
A fully decked out, safari-ready FJ62.
A newer 70-Series pickup.
A 70-Series wagon and its higher-end sibling, the Land Cruiser Prado. Note the fantastically 80s gradient shade on the rear windows.
A completely battle-scarred short-wheelbase 70-Series.
Thankfully, this 50th Anniversary Edition 70-Series was well preserved.
The new Land Cruisers will be on display at MegaWeb until November 30. Here’s a video of the LC70 van in action.
Photos courtesy Toyota Motor Corporation.
LandCruiser – best vehicle I ever owned. I’d have set off for the Straight of Magellan without a care or concern if the occasion arose.
(Yes I’m aware you can’t actually drive all the way from USA. Mere details!)
“From then on it was sold only for export.*”
*Except the United States, cause fuck those gaijin bastards. They get a Camry.
If only they would sell this here! It’s so much more trucky than anything sold by any manufacturer in the US today. I don’t need the ability to update Facebook from behind the wheel of my pickup. I don’t need leather seats, plush carpeting and more power accessories than a Lexus. All I want is something made to last and take the punishment it will get being worked every day. To me, the bumps and bruises make a truck cooler, not worn out. They give it history and make it far more personal than the four wheeled consumer products of today that we are all supposed to drool over and pay $500-$1500 a month for the privilege of owning.
If the 70 Series was sold here, I would have to betray my Troopers. It would be time to move on.
I wish we got those style prados and short wheel base 70’s here, but I can complain becouse we get pretty much every landcruiser over here… we have had them since the beggining, shuch great cars true quallity.
Pretty easy for Toyota to do this since the 70 series is still available to Toyota Australia and they still get service in the outback…..
i wish i can buy the lc 80 diesel 24 valve bnew , is it possible ?
Where can I get the LC70 30th anniversary badge, special owner’s manual and special documentation? Are there part numbers available for these item?
I’m looking for Toyota land cruiser 70 model 2000 to 2005
I need to be a dealer of Toyota or set up a factory in Papua New Guinea
I need to be a dealer of Toyota in Papua New Guinea