1957 Toyota FJ25 Land Cruiser

While the FJ25 had its origins as a military vehicle, it was designed for civilian use and was important to Toyota’s expansion into foreign markets in the 1950s. By introducing a vehicle as capable as a Willys Jeep or Land Rover, Toyota believed it would pave the way for successful passenger car sales – a theory that paid off.

According to the consignor and the global online Land Cruiser registry, this FJ25 is the third-oldest known to exist. The consignor relates that the truck was originally used on the hillsides of a coffee plantation in Costa Rica. It was discovered in 2016 and treated to a photo-documented, frame-off restoration by Export Cruisers Co., also of Costa Rica. The exterior paint was digitally matched to the paint found inside the glove box, believed to be the factory color of Carnival Red, while the interior was finished in a contrasting shade of Parchment. Post-restoration, the consignor, a meticulous Land Cruiser collector who previously owned an FJ now in the Land Cruiser Heritage Museum, went even further in sourcing rare and correct original parts. These included an original steel Toyota Motor toolbox, rare blue-window carburetor, and trouble light.

The truck is accompanied by reproduction manuals and a jack, and is documented with copies of restoration receipts and photos. This is an exceedingly rare chance to own one of the oldest FJ25s known to exist, a fully restored Land Cruiser prepared by a true marque enthusiast.