- Despite being 29 years old, this Land Cruiser has covered just 4,688 miles.
- Powering the iconic off-roader is Toyota’s 1FZ-FE 4.5-liter inline-six.
- Inside, the cabin still offers plenty of creature comforts for its era.
Not many vehicles hold their relevance the way the Toyota Land Cruiser has. Demand has stayed strong enough across the decades that Toyota continues to build and sell 70 Series models dating back to the mid-1980s in select markets, a run that would embarrass most nameplates half its age. Anyone wandering around Monterey Car Week this week has a pristine one waiting for them on the auction docket.
Read: Classic Land Cruiser 70 Trades No-Frills Ruggedness For Brabus Vibes
Although the annual auctions held in Monterey generally attract multi-million-dollar classics and exotics, there are often some more affordable and accessible cars available which better appeal to us regular folk. This 1997 Land Cruiser may not be a head-turner quite like a McLaren F1, but it has been brilliantly preserved over the years.
Mecum Auctions
The number that matters on this Land Cruiser is 4,688 miles (7,544 km), which works out to fewer than 170 a year since it left the showroom. Given that Land Cruisers are often used as daily drivers and for cross-country road trips, finding one that’s been driven so little isn’t easy.
This iteration of the Land Cruiser uses Toyota’s fabled 1FZ-FE 4.5-liter inline-six cylinder engine with 212 hp and 275 lb-ft (373 Nm) of torque. Coupled to the six-cylinder is a four-speed automatic transmission, four-wheel drive, a dual-range transfer case, and a locking center differential.
All Original
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Equally as impressive as how little this Land Cruiser has been driven is the fact that it’s completely original, free from any modifications. It retains the Super White paint scheme, gold badges at the front and rear, and the original 16-inch silver alloy wheels.
Compared to some modern Toyota designs, the cabin of the Toyota looks outdated, but it has been well-preserved, retaining the Oak leather upholstery and wooden accents. Despite the Toyota’s age, it still has plenty of modern comforts, including power-adjustable front seats, a sunroof, air conditioning, and a CD and cassette player.
If this Land Cruiser sounds like it’s perfect for you, head on over to the listing for the rest of the details.
Mecum Auctions
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