・Stunning Series 80 Land Cruiser with low ownership

・Incredible condition inside and out

・Superb seven-seat interior

・Straight-six 4.2 turbo diesel

The J80, or Land Cruiser Series 80, was introduced at the 1989 Tokyo Motor Show and was the seventh iteration of the iconic Japanese off-roader. 

In its four-decade life, the Land Cruiser had evolved from being a utility off-road vehicle to being something of a luxury vehicle, at least in markets where demand for such vehicles was there. It was also bigger, more spacious and more economical than the Range Rover, which could be considered its primary rival in the UK.

Originally, it had barn-style back doors, but these were replaced by a Range Rover-style split tailgate in 1993, which is when this example first hit the road. 

Two models were made. A utility-spec base model with vinyl seats, a wipe down interior and basic specification, which was sold primarily to businesses and military applications, and the passenger-oriented VX, which was much more upmarket and almost twice the price in countries where both models were offered. 

In the UK, we only got the VX, and in 1993 it would have set you back £1,000 more than a Range Rover Vogue, although the Toyota was a much bigger vehicle and also had seven seats. 

This example is a 1993 model with the later version of Toyota’s 1 HD-T turbo diesel 4.2-litre engine.

K996 GVC was first registered in May 1993 by Murley Toyota in Stratford-Upon-Avon and was supplied to Leasecontracts PLC, which operated national company vehicle contracts. 

It appears to have spent most of its life in Surrey, where it was serviced by McCarthy Toyota in Weybridge 10 times, up to 49,786 miles. 

It then passed into private ownership and saw minimal use over the next 20 years, covering less than 12,000 miles. In 2007, the odometer stopped working and was replaced with a brand new one, a record of which is with the vehicle to prove it is genuine. It has covered just 7,077 miles since, taking the total mileage to just over 61,000. Given that the 1HD-T diesel is known for its longevity, with many examples having covered over half a million miles, it is essentially barely run-in.

The current owner bought the truck last year with a view to using it as a combined work and family vehicle, but he has decided that its condition is far too good to subject it to such abuse, so he’s selling it in very much the same condition as he purchased it.

The Toyota is supplied with a UK V5C in the name of the vendor along with an MOT valid until November this year. 

It also comes with the original Toyota service history book, with 10 stamps and a letter documenting the change of odometer.

Make no mistake – this is a big car, both long and wide, so before you bid please make sure you have room for it. There’s a lot of it, but it’s in terrific condition. 

Land Cruiser 80s aren’t renowned for their rust-resilience, but this one is 100 percent original and there’s not a bubble of rust anywhere on the upper bodywork, which looks terrific in its original Tempest Grey paint. 

Aside from some very minor deterioration to some of the stainless steel trim, it’s in impeccable order throughout. 

Underneath, there’s some surface corrosion on the chassis but it’s incredibly solid with no signs of ever having been welded, nor of needing it. It’s structurally superb and very honest.

Toyota interiors of this era followed a uniform approach, with lots of grey and black plastic, green LCD displays and simple, clear dials. 

That’s not a bad thing at all. While the Land Cruiser is undeniably Nineties inside, it’s also very straightforward and extremely durable, from the switchgear right down to the grey corduroy velour interior trim. 

While many 4x4s have a hard life, all the evidence suggests that this one has had anything but. The cabin is spotless, the seats superb and all of the carpets clean and in excellent order. It was well-specced for its day, too, and the good news is that the CD player, air con and heated seats all work as they should.

In the boot, the Land Cruiser has two fold-down rear seats, allowing you to make it into a full seven-seater. If you’d prefer the load space, they can be tethered out of the way using built-in straps. It’s a functional but effective set-up.

This is a pre-1995 VX, which means it has the earlier 4.2-litre version of the inline six turbo diesel rather than the punchier 4.5. But that’s not a bad thing, as the 4.2 is more than capable, with 167bhp and 262lb ft of torque to play with. 

The combination of a manual gearbox and dual-range transmission make this one pretty much unstoppable, while the engine itself sounds wonderfully smooth and pretty refined for a 1990s diesel – compared to a Range Rover DSE, it’s near-silent. 

The owner reports that the Land Cruiser is in excellent working order and feels strong and powerful, with good brakes, suspension and steering.

This is a terrific example of a very rare and highly desirable retro 4x4. The Series 80 Land Cruiser has had a cult following pretty much since it was new, and on the pre-owned market the model is actually more popular than its successor, not only because of its classic credentials but also because it’s considered the better vehicle. 

Quite frankly, you’ll not find another like this. The mileage, the condition and its overall condition are fantastic. It’s the perfect all-purpose, practical family classic or cherished working vehicle, and it is absolutely superb.

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