Lot 151

The Don Davis Collection

1966 Toyota FJ40 Land Cruiser

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$88,000 USD | Sold

United States | Fort Worth, Texas

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Chassis No.
FJ4041897
Engine No.
F135
  • Toyota’s legendary off-roader
  • Fresh, authentic ground-up restoration in painstaking detail
  • Original title and owner’s, service, and engine manuals
  • Almost certainly the finest FJ40 in existence

125 bhp, 235 cu. in. OHV inline six-cylinder engine, three-speed manual transmission with low range and part-time AWD, front and rear live-axle suspension with semi-elliptic springs, and four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes. Wheelbase: 90 in.

While rivalries such as Cadillac and Lincoln, and Ferrari and Lamborghini, have become legendary in the automotive world, the saga of “Toyota Land Cruiser vs. Land Rover” is somewhat lesser-known. In the 1960s, it was no less fierce, as these two imported masters of all-terrain, both born from the inspiration of the Jeeps seen during World War II, went head-to-head in the roughest parts of the former British Empire.

By 1973, Toyota had sold 300,000 FJ40 Land Cruisers, which proved easy to handle in all sorts of situations and was incredibly reliable mechanically. Similar to the classic Range Rover, however, the classic Land Cruiser was not built for long-term survival, but to be ruggedly worn into the ground over many thousands of rough miles. Accordingly, older examples of the model are quite rare, and survivors in well-restored condition are particularly difficult to find.

Don Davis’ otherwise performance-oriented collection also includes subtle nods to his successful career as a new car dealer, and the rare, well-kept Toyotas in his stable are among these. His FJ40 hails from 1966, and it is freshly restored to concours condition—an odd term with which to describe a Land Cruiser, but appropriate. Showing 6,381 original miles, it has been taken back to “better than factory” condition throughout, with all proper and correct finishes, decals, and accessories as when new, including gear-shifting instructions on the glove box, the proper original steering wheel, and a perfect convertible top with accurate zippers, buttons, latches, and hooks. Every panel fits exquisitely, and the entire vehicle is detailed to the nines, down to its 1966 Texas black plate. It is accompanied by the original title, as well as its original owner’s, service, and engine manuals. Riding on BF Goodrich all-terrain tires, and obviously scarcely used at all since its restoration, this spotless FJ40 is ready for when the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance decides to honor the Land Cruiser…whenever that may be.