Toyota launched the FJ40 series utility vehicle in 1960. Official importation to the U.S. began in 1963, and within two years the FJ40 Land Cruiser was hands down the best-selling Toyota in America. Cosmetically, the FJ was essentially the same truck until it went out of production in 1983, barring minor trim tweaks; however, it saw a gradual progression of functional improvements and upgrades over the years, shifting from being a bare-bones rock hopper to a commensurately equipped modern SUV 30 years ahead of the curve.

The FJ40 was available as open-bodied or fully enclosed two-door wagon. 

As FJ40s reached the secondary market, it became very common for owners to take on engine swaps, most notably by replacing the FJ’s stock six with a small block Chevy V-8. The Chevy engine certainly yielded more power, but Toyota’s six-cylinder was essentially a reverse-engineered 235-cid Stovebolt six Chevrolet engine that was indestructible. This is part and parcel why stock power trains will continue to pull big money—few are left versus a fleet of retrofits.