At 40 years old, “Betty” the Land Cruiser took a long journey. She was transported from her long-term South American home in Colombia and imported to the United States. Now she’s looking for a forever home here in the states, and maybe that home is yours?
The Pick of the Day is a 1981 Toyota Land Cruiser listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in Georgetown, Texas. (Click the link to view the listing)
“Betty is a 1981 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ43 that got her start in Medellin, Colombia, on a coffee plantation,” the listing states. “She was imported to Texas in July of 2021.”
The Land Cruiser nameplate has been around for over 70 years, first launching as a four-wheel drive vehicle in 1951 and having been produced in various body styles in the decades that followed. The Land Cruiser was originally developed for military purposes and later became available in the mainstream civilian marketplace. It remains one of the most touted models for rugged all-terrain abilities. This example comes from the “40 Series” which debuted in 1960 and had a lifespan until 1984.
Betty the yellow FJ43 has received an overhaul as described by the seller: “This is a complete frame-off restoration with a completely rebuilt, original Toyota 4.2-liter 2F inline-six and a rebuilt four-speed manual transmission. All mechanical parts are original Toyota parts.” A dual-range transfer case provides versatile capability, and grippy traction is provided by a set of BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A wheels over black-finished steel wheels.
The passenger compartment has been similarly refurbished, courtesy of vinyl bucket seating up front, inboard-facing fold-down jump seats in the rear, and matching door panels. Aftermarket air conditioning was added, and a Pioneer AM/FM/CD stereo with a subwoofer provides the means for proper road trip tunes.
From what we can tell, Betty is ready to take on her next adventure now that she’s had a makeover. She would probably be equally as comfortable a local show-and-shine as she would traversing the rugged Broken Arrow Trail in Sedona, Arizona. “She’s a dream to drive,” the seller states.
The seller is asking $66,500 or best offer for this Land Cruiser, and photo documentation of the rebuild is available upon request. Let’s find Betty a new home!
To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.
