For Sale at Auction: 1972 Toyota Land Cruiser in Newport, Rhode Island

Chassis No. FJ43-24324
Engine No. F-377783

Based on the beloved FJ40 series of second-generation Land Cruisers, the FJ43 was the rarer medium wheelbase variant produced from 1960 to 1984.The FJ43 Land Cruiser offered an ideal balance of utility and ride quality, occupying a sweet spot between the short wheelbase runabouts and the larger long wheelbase pickups and people carriers. Never originally sold in North America, the FJ43 remains a rarity coveted by discerning Land Cruiser collectors.

This 1972 Toyota Land Cruiser is one of those exceptionally rare FJ43 examples. Its accompanying original purchase invoice-a rarely seen document-reveals that this example was sold new in Bogot�, Colombia in January 1973. An extensive file of Columbian registration documents show that the car was retained by its original owner for decades, supposedly serving as a transport vehicle for the owner's dairy business. It finally changed hands in 2002 but remained local, enjoying the fair weather of Colombia's capital city for several more years.

The rich provenance and mild climate made this example a perfect candidate for a complete restoration by The FJ Company c. 2014. Acquired from its second owner by the renowned Land Cruiser restoration experts, this example was easily transported to their 75,000 square-foot restoration facility-conveniently also in Bogot�. The FJ Company immediately began a thorough restoration to return the Land Cruiser to as close to factory-new condition as possible. The chassis and body were completely stripped and sandblasted, with the frame benefitting from a powder coating treatment for better protection.

The Land Cruiser's numbers-matching 3.9-liter engine was removed and carefully rebuilt, and combined with a brand new clutch assembly. Finally, the car's major mechanical systems including its brakes, suspension, and even wiring harness were overhauled. Upon reassembly, the body was repainted in what The FJ Company claims is its factory correct Rustic Green finish based on the original sales invoice and paired with a correct ivory reproduction soft top. The interior was also restored to exacting factory standards, sporting fresh gray vinyl upholstery.

Acquired by the seller that same year, this freshly restored Land Cruiser has since enjoyed a collector-grade ownership experience in a climate-controlled collection in Rhode Island.

Offered today with only 1,595 kilometers/991 miles shown since restoration, this 1972 Toyota Land Cruiser is supplied with its original owner's manual (ES), restoration books from The FJ Company, and a vast history file containing its original Toyota order forms, invoices, and prior Colombian registration documents.