Toyota Land Cruiser History: From Start to Finish

If you’re looking for a rugged vehicle that won’t quit in the Draper area, you might be looking for the Toyota Land Cruiser. This all-terrain vehicle has been a top choice for daring off-road adventurers on the off-roads of Provo, and it has a rich and varied history. With a giant community of vintage Toyota Land Cruiser enthusiasts, it goes without saying that the Toyota Land Cruiser history is a long and interesting tale. Read on and then fill out a pre-approval and contact Brent Brown Toyota to test drive the latest model in Orem!

Toyota Land Cruiser History: Military Use

The origin of the Toyota Land Cruiser has its roots in the Pacific theater in World War II. In 1941, the Japanese army took the Philippines from the Americans. One of the items they salvaged was an American Bantam Jeep, which was quickly shipped back to the authorities in Japan. The Toyota company was chosen to begin work on a vehicle with similar capabilities, but with an appearance that could not be mistaken for an American car. Later, during the war, Toyota produced a light truck called the AK10, although few of them were ever used in battle.

By 1951, the American military had several bases in Japan with which to more effectively fight the Korean War. Toyota began developing a series of military trucks that the Americans could use, rather than having to have trucks shipped all the way from America.

Toyota Land Cruiser History: Civilian Use

By 1955, the Korean War had ended, and military vehicles were no longer in such high demand. The second generation of this vehicle was introduced as the Land Cruiser, a name chosen to compete with the popular Land Rover in England. This generation of trucks was designed to appeal more to civilians looking for a capable small truck and was largely aimed at an export market.

The 1957 Land Cruiser saw the addition of a four-door station wagon, something that certainly never would have been used in wartime. The Land Cruiser was popular in Australia and the very first Japanese car available in the southern continent.

Success in America

The Toyota Land Cruiser steadily grew in popularity in overseas markets, including America. In 1965, the Land Cruiser became the best-selling Toyota in the United States, having passed the 50,000 vehicle mark. Production took off, with the 100,000th Land Cruiser produced in 1968 and the 300,000th by 1973. The Toyota Land Cruiser Association was founded in California in 1976. The Land Cruiser was also sold to the Irish Army, although it was not a success as the wet weather caused the Cruiser to rust.

Today’s Land Cruiser

Now that Lehi drivers are caught up on Land Cruiser history, they’ll be happy to know that the 2021 model is making history. While the current model pays tribute to vintage Toyota Land Cruisers, it implements some sweeping changes. Check out some standard and available highlights from the latest model to see what the Land Cruiser’s legacy means today.

• Headlight-integrated LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL)
• Four-zone automatic front and rear climate control
• Enhanced Multi-Terrain Monitor
• Birdseye View Camera
• Premium Audio with Integrated Navigation
• Rear-seat DVD entertainment system
• Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC)
• Smart Key System on all doors and liftgate with the remote keyless entry system, remote illuminated entry, and Push Button Start
• 5.7-Liter DOHC 32-Valve V8 with Dual Independent Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i); 381 hp @ 5600 rpm; 401 lb.-ft. @ 3600 RPM

Test Drive a Toyota Land Cruiser in Orem

Are you looking for a vintage Toyota Land Cruiser or a new Land Cruiser around Draper? Brent Brown Toyota can help! Call us today at (801) 823-6020 or come see us at 1400 Sandhill Rd. in Orem. We hope you enjoyed our overview of Land Cruiser History. If you’re looking for more fun reads like our Toyota Land Cruiser history guide, explore our Toyota research guides for information about which Toyota models offer AWD, and more!

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