Australian Cars Issue 42

COLLECT ALL THE LEGENDARY AUSTRALIAN CLASSIC CARS

Immerse yourself in the thrilling history of Australian automotive culture with the Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40, a true icon of outback endurance and go-anywhere toughness from 1968. Few vehicles have shaped the way Australians work and explore their vast continent quite like the FJ40 — and its arrival on these shores represented nothing less than a changing of the guard in four-wheel-drive history.

The Toyota Land Cruiser is the vehicle that ended the Land Rover's unbroken reign as the 4WD of choice in Australia. Australian farmers and station owners were quick to discover just how good and how tough this utilitarian 4WD was, and the transition from Land Rover to Land Cruiser was astonishingly quick. The FJ40's reputation was built on a foundation of mechanical simplicity and near-indestructible reliability — qualities that made it the trusted companion of drovers, ringers, and explorers from Cape York to the Nullarbor. By 1968, Toyota had produced its 100,000th Land Cruiser worldwide, a milestone that underscored just how rapidly this rugged machine had captured the imagination of buyers across every continent. Under the bonnet sat an overhead valve six-cylinder engine displacing 3.9 litres and delivering 125 hp, backed by a three-speed manual transmission with low range and part-time four-wheel drive — honest, robust engineering designed to keep going long after more sophisticated machinery had given up.

This precise 1:43 scale replica captures the very essence of the legendary FJ40 — its upright stance, short wheelbase, and rugged character that made it one of the most capable and beloved off-road vehicles ever to tackle the Australian bush.

The Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40 is meticulously reproduced in high-quality die-cast metal, with details faithful to the original that capture its boxy, purposeful body, round headlamps, and distinctive period-correct detailing. Rubber tires and swiveling wheels add a touch of realism to this treasured model.

Each piece comes accompanied by a captivating magazine filled with articles from that era, offering a fascinating glimpse into the history of Australian automotive, sourced from the archives of the renowned publication Wheels.

Features:

• Faithfully reproduced model at 1:43 scale
• High-quality die-cast metal for exceptional durability
• Precise detailing for maximum authenticity — including the signature FJ40 short-wheelbase body, round headlamps, and period-correct 4WD detail
• Rubber tires and swiveling wheels for heightened realism

Relive the golden era of Australian outback adventure with this iconic model. Add the Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40 to your Australian Cars collection today!