∙Imported from Portugal
∙Numbers-matching engine
∙Recent body-off respray
∙Garaged throughout current ownership

Produced between 1960 and 2001, the Toyota Land Cruiser J40 was Toyota’s ultimate all-terrain, short-wheelbase vehicle for the world market.

Having made its debut during the chaotic era of the 1960s, the J40-series Land Cruiser earned a rightful reputation for its rugged reliability, being able to weather even the harshest, most remote conditions where you’d expect to find a vehicle. Even to this day, the J40 series is widely respected the world-over, and has its own deep-rooted cult with high-end ‘restomod’ vehicles fetching upwards of six-figure prices.

Of note is that the ‘B’ in the BJ40 designation signifies the diesel-powered model, with the BJ40 seen here being powered by a 3.0-litre diesel engine mated to a four-speed transmission with high and low-range transfer boxes.
 

This particular BJ40 is a 1982 example with a numbers-matching 3.0-litre diesel engine. Imported from Portugal during 2016 and purchased by the vendor during 2017, the date of UK registration for this Land Cruiser is 31 March 2017.

Since then, the body has been taken off the chassis, stripped and re-sprayed. In addition to this, a new bed lining has been put in, along with uprated steering dampers, a new back floor section and new carpets.

One particularly encouraging sign upon the vendor’s inspection after purchase is that the chassis appeared to be full of “dry desert sand” and the chassis was described as being “solid as a rock.” This, coupled with the Dakar stickers found throughout the car, suggest this ’40’ has spent a good portion of its life in the desert, which is good news. The vendor has replaced part of the floor pan in the driver’s footwell, which was done due to the original floor wearing through.

Due to being an imported vehicle, there is not much in the way of a paper trail for this Land Cruiser.

Present with the vehicle are the original auctioneers’ title, UK registration document, invoices for the work carried out while in the vendors care, past MOT certificates and the V5.

Inside the cabin of this BJ40 presents in good condition, with the seating believed by the vendor to be the original items.

Thanks to the largely spartan, utilitarian nature of the Land Cruiser, creature comforts are few-and-far between, though this of course means there are less potential issues. As previously mentioned, the driver’s side floor has been replaced, as has the rear bed liner and floor section.

The interior paintwork is in great shape, with just a few marks to high-traffic areas such as the rear doors, dashboard and doors, though these are commensurate with the age of the vehicle. The seats themselves present in great shape, with no rips or tears in the material, and the same story is true of the door cards.

There are no warning lights on the dashboard and there are no known or reported electrical faults with the vehicle.

The re-sprayed exterior of this Land Cruiser presents in excellent condition, with the vehicle having been used extremely sparingly since the paintwork was done. The vendor notes that the paint appears to have never been ‘cut’ after spraying, meaning there is a slightly hazy ‘orange peel’ to the paintwork. There are also a few small patches of blistering on the paintwork, however these do not detract from the overall appearance of the vehicle.

The wheels that are on this BJ40 are aftermarket items, but they suit the vehicle well and the vendor has never seen it fit to change them. Their condition is generally good, but there is no doubt they would benefit from a refurbishment to bring them in line with the rest of the bodywork.

Underneath, the chassis and ancillaries have been sprayed with a rust-preventing coating in order to ensure the longevity of the vehicle, even in harsh climates. As a result, everything looks to be in good condition, with only a few minor patches of surface ‘bloom’ which are to be expected from a vehicle that is approaching 40 years old.

The vendor has stated that on start up, this BJ40 blows a small amount of blue smoke, though this quickly clears as the car heats up. Having obtained the opinion of several garages, it would appear the general consensus is that the smoke is a result of worn valve seals, though it does not affect the drivability of the vehicle.

The most recent full service was carried out in February 2018, though since then a standard oil and fluid change has taken place. The service in 2018 included all fluids being replaced including the axles and gearbox, the radiator was drained, flushed and fitted with a new cap, the heater plugs were removed and checked, the rear brakes were checked over and fitted with new pipes, new transfer box oil was supplied, and a flexible steering coupling were fitted.

The most recent MOT exam took place on 15 March 2021, and resulted in a clean pass with no advisory items, meaning this Land Cruiser is ready to hit the road once again. The vendor also notes that this 3.0-litre engine appears to use “virtually no oil” during his experience.

If you’re looking for a faithful vehicular companion to take you to the ends of the earth and back, then a Toyota Land Cruiser should be at the top of your list. This 1982 BJ40 model has been cherished during its current ownership, but sadly doesn’t get used as much as it should, meaning its time for it to find a new home.

Even if you’re not planning on a trans-continental journey to the most inhospitable terrain the planet has to offer, this Toyota Land Cruiser  BJ40 offers retro-cool charm and a clean bill of health, and it’ll be sure to turn heads wherever you take it.

**The photographs in this listing have been provided by the seller**

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