Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40

The 1960 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40is a classic. Known as one of the best off-road vehicles ever made, collectors love this car for its luxury features and rugged, off-road abilities. As Berkley One Classics celebrates the big 5-0, we’re hosting an exciting virtual car show for collectors and enthusiasts alike. We’ll share our love of classic cars by spotlighting 50 cars for 50 years that have been chosen and beloved by our employees. Each will showcase the evolution of design and engineering and provide a nostalgic journey through auto and pop culture history. Read on as Julie Nekali, Berkley One Classics Customer Support Specialist I, tells us why she love the Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40.

Prefer to read a text version of the above graphic? We’ve got you covered below!

The Car

The Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40 is known as one of the best off-road vehicles ever made. Making its debut in 1960, this vehicle revolutionized 4-wheeling around the world. Its traditional body-on-frame was built as a two-door short wheelbase, available in a soft or hard top. In addition to a 3.9-liter engine, the FJ40 was designed with a tough body and underside, heavy hinged tailgate, folding jump seats in the back and a rear hung spare tire. It was built to be a rugged off-road vehicle and lacked the luxury features we are used to seeing in Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) that are built today.

The Collector

The FJ40 is the vehicle that made Toyota a household name in the United States. In 1950, at the start of the Korean War, the U.S. encouraged the Japanese automaker to create a military vehicle prototype, similar to the Willys Jeep. Toyota obliged and released the Toyota Jeep BJ, which soon became renamed as the Land Cruiser. For collectors, this 4 x 4 sparks nostalgia and a desire to go off-roading, in equal measure.

The Love

Like the intrepid Land Rover, the rugged Jeep and the flashy Bronco, the Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40 is a classic. It is one of those cars that defines the category, and I love the quality, durability and reliability of the vehicle.

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Contributed by Julie Nekali

Photo: Alamy

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This car feature is part of our 50 Cars for 50 Years campaign in honor of Berkley One Classics celebrating 50 year of insuring collectors and their vehicles. See the other cars we love here:

Spotlight #1, Spotlight #2, Spotlight #3, Spotlight #4, Spotlight #5, Spotlight #6, Spotlight #7, Spotlight #8, Spotlight #9, Spotlight #10, Spotlight #11, Spotlight #12, Spotlight #13, Spotlight #14, Spotlight #15, Spotlight #16, Spotlight #17, Spotlight #18, Spotlight #19, Spotlight #20, Spotlight #21, Spotlight #22, Spotlight #23

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Berkley One Classics is a Berkley Company who recognizes that classic cars are unique and require insurance that’s equally distinctive. Let us help you protect your beloved vehicle so you can enjoy it for years to come. Learn more here.