I turned the corner on a recent walk and was astounded to see these two Toyota products, sitting side-by-side – but separated by a good 40 some-odd years.
And even more surprising, they both looked brand new. The Land Cruiser must have had a pampered life or been treated to a full restoration – it looked beautiful. This appears to be a 1984-87 version, given the window-mounted outside mirrors and single headlights. Dual square headlights were added in 1988-90, and the model was coded J62. Here in Japan they could come with the 4.2/4.0 litre gas inline six, and four and six-cylinder diesels.
They present a startling contrast as to how the Sport Utility and Crossover market has evolved over the years.
No disrespect to the Crown, but I’ll take the TLC.
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Curbside Classic: 1988 Toyota Land Cruiser – Keeping The Faith by Perry Shoar
The new Crown is good vehicle, the new copy of Consumer Reports finally gave the vehicle a good rating as it is totally deserved. If I am on market for a upscale car, I will take this instead of Lexus ES or other small Lexus SUV.
FJ60 stands for maximum speed 60 mph as I was told. I am not sure how true it is.
I too, will take the LC!
The Land Cruiser looks good for 45 years. Somehow I don’t the Crown will look as good at 45.
Toyota would do well to offer that exact shade of red with white color combination on the new Land Cruiser, it looks very nice here. That thing looks restored but you never know I guess, it could have just been a weekend car in Tokyo with that parking spot as “off-road” as it ever got. They tend to suffer horribly from rust over here.
I probably would have chosen the LC too but it seems that others have beaten me to it, so I’ll settle for the Crown. Thanks Jim!
That LC J60 makes me ponder, what if Toyota had made the Ford Bronco?
THAT’S a Crown? My, how hip the monarchy has become. The nameplate hasn’t been hereabouts in donkey’s years, and when last it departed, it looked like like a gaudily-detailed hearse for that pair in American Gothic (the ’30’s one by artist Gran Wood). This looks slick and interesting. And bigger than the once-bruiser Cruiser.
As for mine, I’d admire the 4wd, then drive home in the Crown, because I know from experience that those pretty Landies are murderous to drive.