Toyota Land Cruisers are awesome. Every generation dating back to the FJ40 has something unique to offer off-roaders, but no generation inspires as much love or as many legends about reliability (at least in the U.S.) as the 80-series. This mythos has helped to keep prices high in the past few years, and now, after the Mecum auctions in Monterey, Calif., we know that we still haven’t seen the ceiling.
Why? Because a very special — if unassuming — 80-series went up for auction and didn’t sell. Why is this notable? Because it didn’t meet its reserve with a $130,000 high bid. If, like us, you’re wondering what it would have cost to bring this thing home, then sorry. Mecum can’t disclose the reserve price from the Monterey auction, since the vehicle is technically still for sale with its “The Bid Goes On” team.
What is it about this Cruiser that is so desirable that it’s worth as much as a new Mercedes G-Wagen? Well, this particular 1997 model has only traveled 4,700 miles in its 29-year history. It’s also in nearly pristine factory condition, despite having never been restored. That’s right, the deeply appliance-coded Super White paint is original! That’s particularly incredible because Land Cruiser owners are known to pile on the miles and abuse, as well as modifications, and this one has dodged all of those bullets.
In short: A near-perfect 4,688-mile 1997 Toyota Land Cruiser failed to sell at Mecum’s Monterey auction on Saturday, despite a high bid of $130,000. This could be one of the nicest 80-Series Cruisers to have gone up for sale since they were new almost 30 years ago. We expect that if it does sell privately, the price will be decidedly astronomical.
About the 80-Series
What is the 80-Series? Well, the FJ80 (and later the FJZ80) was in production from 1990 to 1997 in Japan, but Venezuela kept building them until 2007. It was available with a handful of diesel and gasoline powertrains throughout its life, but in the U.S., we only got a pair of understressed, underpowered, and overly thirsty inline-sixes.
The 1990-92 FJ80 got a 4.0L engine making just 150 horsepower and 215 pound-feet of torque. The FJZ80 got a 4.5L engine making a whopping 212 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque.
One of the most notable features of the 80-series is that it’s the last Land Cruiser we got in America with a solid front axle. The model that superseded the 80 (the 100-series) went with independent front suspension, which is better for on-road handling and comfort, but is less robust and provides less suspension articulation off-road.
The rest of the Land Cruiser’s magic lies in that famous ’90s Toyota build quality. The folks in Toyota City, Japan (no, really, there’s a Toyota City), went above and beyond when they bolted the 80-series together. This has allowed countless examples to hit half a million hard miles or more with plenty of off-road abuse thrown in.
Fun fact: Toyota Land Cruisers are kept longer by their owners than any other model of vehicle. The average ownership period for Land Cruisers is around 11.4 years; hence, all the high-mileage examples for sale everywhere. (Second place is held by the Chevy Corvette, but we blame Boomer dads for that.)
The Dream of the ’90s
The 80-Series that’s going up for auction in Monterey has even more going for it than its low miles. It’s got a great oak beige leather interior, which is almost clean enough to eat off of. It’s even got optional gold badging, which is the hallmark of the best of 1990s Japanese styling.
While these museum-quality unicorns are cool to see, we’re a little bummed because with those low miles being a big part of its value and appeal, it’s unlikely that the next owner will use it as Toyota intended. Instead, it will probably be parked in someone’s collection, collecting dust rather than dirt, and that’s a little sad.
(Hat tip to The Drive for finding this beauty.)
