Toyota LandCruiser marks 70th birthday with 70 Series special-editions

The 70th anniversary of the Toyota LandCruiser is being celebrated today with the release of a trio of special-edition 70 Series models.

LandCruiser is Toyota’s longest-running nameplate, with the original Toyota ‘BJ’ Jeep being released in Japan in August 1951 and then renamed LandCruiser three years later in June 1954.

Since then the LandCruiser has found 10 million homes worldwide, including 1.14 million in Australia since 1955.

To celebrate, Toyota Australia will release 600 examples of the 70th Anniversary LandCruiser 70 Series (320 double-cabs, 200 single-cabs and 80 wagons) available in three colours – French Vanilla, Merlot Red and Sandy Taupe.

Arriving in dealerships in September 2021, the 70th Anniversary models are priced at a cool $80,050 (single-cab), $82,600 (double-cab) and $78,500 (wagon), all plus on-road costs.

“The LandCruiser nameplate has earned legendary status in Australia, with a decades-long track record of durability and reliability in the toughest conditions our country has to offer,” said Toyota Australia’s vice-president of sales, marketing and franchise operations Sean Hanley.

“The 70th Anniversary special-edition is a tribute to the many LandCruisers that came before it, helping Australians navigate our harsh and rugged environment, whether that’s through the desert, across the mountains or deep in the forest.

“The icing on the cake as we celebrate 70 years of LandCruiser will be the all-new 300 Series that we will launch later this year with the capability, performance and comfort to take Australians further than ever before.”

Based on the flagship GXL grade, the 70 Series specials are distinguished by a black heritage grille with ‘TOYOTA’ lettering and matching black front bumper and wheel-arch flares.

Completing the external updates are darkened 16-inch alloy wheels and headlight bezels, LED fog lights and daytime running lights and a ‘Heritage’ LandCruiser badge and ‘70th Anniversary’ badges above the front wheel-arches.

Inside, there are a number of options not previously available in the 70 Series, including premium black seat upholstery, a black leather-accented steering wheel and gear shifter, woodgrain-look instrument panel trim, silver accents for the air-vents and black door switch trims.

There’s also a new black centre console with two additional 2.1-amp Type A USB chargers and a pair of cup holders.

There are no mechanical changes for the 151kW/430Nm 4.5-litre turbo-diesel V8 and five-speed manual transmission with low-range and front/rear diff locks.

Australia became Toyota’s first export market after early predecessors of LandCruiser 70 Series – the FJ25, FJ45 and FJ43 – were employed by construction magnate Leslie (later Sir Leslie) Thiess during the construction of the Snowy Mountains Hydro Electric Scheme.

How much does the 2021 Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series 70th Anniversary cost?
Wagon –$78,500
Single Cab – $80,050
Double Cab – $82,600
* Prices exclude on-road costs