Toyota Garage Project: Ollie's 1972 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40
An original Nebula Green 1972 Toyota Land Cruiser
Ollie got his first Toyota Land Cruiser back in 2008 - a 1983 BJ42 he saw parked at Pak’n’Save in Te Awamutu. He left a message on the windscreen asking if it was for sale and, as luck would have it, the owner was heading overseas. That BJ42 has now been passed on to another lucky owner, and he’s still friends with the person he sold it to, but it’s not the end of his Toyota Land Cruiser story.
An original Nebula Green 1972 Toyota Land Cruiser FST (Factory Soft Top) FJ40 with low mileage is Ollie’s current obsession. Ironically, its first owner bought it new for a Motueka berry farm that happens to be just around the corner from where Ollie’s parents now live. Ollie has traced its history and contacted most of the previous owners, who have supplied him with memories of when they owned the truck.
Frame-off restoration process
Wanting to restore this 40 to its original state, Ollie entrusted the job to specialist classic restorers R3 Fabrications. Greg (the body work expert) and Glen (the mechanical expert) allowed Ollie to be involved and he got to learn a lot throughout the 18-month frame-off restoration process.
Authenticity is important
As much of the original truck was restored as possible, right down to the screws. It was stripped out and each component catalogued and restored to its ‘as new’ original condition before the truck was rebuilt. While he could have added some modern touches like power steering and disc brakes, authenticity is important to Ollie. “I wanted it to drive as it did when it left the factory in 1972,” he says. Even the paint job kept the ‘orange peel’ effect of the original.
There are two things Ollie recommends people consider before starting a restoration project like his: how much originality do you want to preserve and how much money do you have to throw at it? He always planned to keep his FJ40 as original as possible and, while it cost more than expected, he now has a very special truck that is as close to original as it can get.
Keen on a roadie
“It’s definitely a garage princess,” he says, and he’s not likely to take it bush bashing like he did with his BJ42, although he is keen on a roadie to share a beer and a yarn with each of its previous owners. The plan is to end up back at the Motueka Berry Farm where his Toyota Land Cruiser’s history began.
Ollie might describe himself as a sucker for a classic car with a 70’s vintage, but he’s much more than that. He has a keen eye for details, is a meticulous record-keeper, and is now the custodian of a 1972 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40 that he says will be treasured for many years.
Thanks Ollie for sharing the story of your 1972 FJ40 Toyota Land Cruiser! Do you want to be our next Toyota Garage Project profile? Head to our Facebook or Instagram page and message us about what you’re working on.