Every legendary car has its own ruling past. However, the vehicle in context has a vintage history. For the last 70 years, the Toyota Land Cruiser kept rolling along in the automotive industry. Indeed, this four-wheel-drive car has set a classic example of continuity and endurance.
The Land Cruiser is widely popular and Toyota had marked its ten-millionth Land Cruiser a couple of years ago in 2019 in Australia. With humble origins in the SUV space, there have been remarkable amendments made since its first-ever Toyota Jeep BJ launched in 1951, and now to the all-new 300 series generation recently revealed by Toyota.
Let's take a look back at how the infamous Land Cruiser has evolved over the years to become one of the best luxury off-road SUVs in the world.
The Chronicle History of Land Cruiser
We need to go back to 1951 to know its classic vintage history. There was a time when the U.S. urged Japan to formulate a military truck prototype to fight against the Koreans. Toyota achieved this military truck prototype milestone in early 1951. The car was named 'Toyota Jeep BJ.' The Toyota Jeep BJ was equipped with a 3.4-liter inline-six engine with complete military-spec styling. Toyota's expert driver Ichiro Taira reached the sixth checkpoint (out of ten) of Japan's 12,388-foot-high Mt. Fuji with the Toyota BJ in July 1951. Even the Japanese couldn't resist getting their hands on the Toyota Jeep BJ with this power-packed performance and outstanding durability. Japan's National Police Reserve acquired Toyota Jeep BJ as a patrol car in those days.
In 1954, the Toyota Jeep BJ got its new name, which we all know today as 'Toyota Land Cruiser.' The name was proposed by Toyota Director of Technology Hanji Umehara, who believed that the speedster would easily cruise over the arduous terrain.
The Evolution Continues
By the time Toyota set up its all-terrain workhouses in South America and the Middle East, the Japanese firm announced the Land Cruiser 20 Series in 1955. Toyota upgraded the Cruiser from its previous version with a more powerful 3.9-liter inline-six engine. In addition to that, it also came up with better body style and top configuration models.
In Hollywood, California, Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. inaugurated its dealership on October 31, 1957. The vehicle sales began afterward in 1958 in America. Strangely, only one example of Toyota Land Cruiser sold in the United States in its first year.
The Birth of FJ40
The third generation of Land Cruiser was born in 1960 and got its name as Land Cruiser FJ40. The new Cruiser was gifted with an inline-six that could produce 125 horsepower and 200 lb-ft of torque, more than enough compared to other utility vehicles offered at the time. It was the first Land Cruiser with a two-speed transfer case, responsible for its exceptional off-road capability and greater controllability. The Land Cruiser FJ40 was Toyota's best-selling car in the United States through 1965.
The 55 Series
To meet the demand for larger 4-wheel drive vehicles in the mid-1960s, Toyota introduced its Land Cruiser 55 series in 1967 with a 16-inch longer wheelbase and cutting-edge design. The car's reputation for sturdiness had set a record in all markets globally. The 55 series Land Cruiser was launched with an improved version of a 3.9-liter inline-six. Later, the then-latest 4.2-liter inline-six was installed back in 1975.
The All-New 60 Series (FJ60)
The Japanese automaker continued to evolve its beloved Land Cruiser series. After the great success of the 55 series, Toyota made another evolutionary step by launching the all-new 60 Series (FJ60) in 1980. It was the decade for the noticeable growth of SUVs in the market. This series had a well-designed interior and a new 155-horsepower 4.0-liter engine.
The 70 Series
The successor of FJ60 were Land Cruiser's 70 series and 80 series models. Toyota brought the 70 series Land Cruiser to the international market in 1984. Though North America never got the opportunity to get hands-on F70 series, the FJ80 had already set its place as the hallmark of the North American market in those days.
The 8-seater FJ80
1989 was the year when Toyota announced the latest 8-seater FJ80. The wagon initially launched with an inline 6-cylinder gasoline engine. Then they made subsequent changes, following which a 6-cylinder 4.1-liter diesel engine replaced the previous engine. In August 1992, a 6-cylinder 24-valve unit took the place of a diesel engine with more comfort and superior performance.
The Land Cruiser 100 series
With a modern image as a lavish four-wheel drive, Toyota launched its Land Cruiser 100 series in January 1998 as a successor to the Land Cruiser 80. The 5-door wagon body held the distinct frame structure, while the dimensions of the body were slightly elongated to provide a roomy arrangement. The drivetrain entered with a newly developed V8 DOHC 32-valve gasoline unit. This Cruiser had a newly outfitted rack and pinion and an independent double-wishbone and torsion bar spring system.
The Land Cruiser's 200 Series
Popular in today's world, Toyota Land Cruiser's 200 series are still ruling the SUV world of cars. Along with the premium luxury features, the car also offers leather-trimming seating for up to eight travelers. Toyota introduced its 200 series to the world in 2008. Since then, the Toyota Land Cruiser has already set up the benchmark in the automobile industry.
The 2020 Land Cruiser has all of the cutting-edge features all SUV lovers dream about. The car has split-screen compatibility, advanced voice recognition, Bluetooth connectivity, Qi wireless charging, and a premium sound system of JBL. In the North American market, the 200 series was released with a 5.7-liter gasoline engine that generates a massive 261-horsepower.
Legend Never Dies
No matter how difficult and challenging the road is, Toyota Land Cruiser always gratifies with a rich experience. All the versions considered, Toyota sold 318,000 Land Cruiser models globally in 2018. Australia stands in the first position for selling this beauty arrogantly, while the U.S. did manage to sell a few thousand Land Cruisers per year. Still better than its single unit sold in 1958. Even though the new Land Cruiser will not be available in the US for some time, there is no question that the Toyota Land Cruiser is a back-to-basics SUV, and will certainly be a hit amongst enthusiasts for years to come.