• Engine: 6 cylinder gasoline
• Transmission: 4 speed with single speed transfer engage/disengage 4X4
• Very Rare Cruiser! #320 of 585 made.
• This is one of the seven BJ models known in the world, we believe this is the only pick up model made. The other models were the Jeep style.
• Believed to be the oldest known Cruiser in the USA.
• It was called the BJ model before Toyota named the vehicles Land Cruisers.
• The BJ model was made from 1951-1955.
• The cab and the body was produced by Gifu Body, in the early days most of these vehicles were handmade before production lines.
• Marv found this vehicle in Wayakama Japan it was owned by a watch maker, he had it sitting for over 20 years. It had originally been used at a logging company
• When this car arrived from Japan, Marv was very excited & started to work on it to see if it would run. He put brake fluid in it, gas & he started it up & after about 3 tries it started up. Despite sitting for so long, it still wanted to live. It’s hard to kill a Cruiser.

The early BJ models were “jeep” styles, this rare beast is a BJR pick up model. Specter’s BJ was built in 1955. It was number 320 off the production line, total of 585 BJ models were produced in 1955. This particular vehicle was used as a logging truck in the town of Wakayama City Japan, just south of Tokyo. They ordered a cab chassis from Toyota and it was sent to Gifu Body Company to be combined with a hard cab and a pick up body. Gifu Body was a company that made low production runs, and one off vehicle modifications. The winch was used to operate a traveling crane for moving logs up and down the hill side. It was used with a WWII Dodge weapons carrier that was also obtained by Wakayama City. To the best of our knowledge it was the only BJ pick up model ever produced.

It has a 4 speed transmission with a single speed transfercase and a PTO winch that ran off the crankshaft. It took 2 people to operate the PTO. It has two levers on the passenger side and one lever on the drivers side, inside the cab.

This vehicle was owned by a clock museum for twenty years before purchased by Specter. It was started for the first time in over 20 years, and it ran like a top. Brake fluid was put into the master cylinder and to our surprise the brakes pumped up and were functional.

The year was 1950. A recession was having a negative impact on the automotive industry and the Toyota company had reached its lowest point. Then North Korea invaded South Korea and the Korean War began. Japan, being under the influence of America, was used as a supply base for the U.S. Military. This encouraged Japan to create the National Police Reserve Force to lighten the load of the Allied forces and to help protect itself. At first the National Police Reserve Force’s equipment was supplied by the U.S. Military, but soon Japan was urged to develop a local source of supply. This task was given to Japanese auto makers who were asked to develop prototypes of compact 4x4 trucks. Immediately the Toyota company began designing and producing a prototype. This is were the history of the Land Cruiser began.

Toyota’s prototype was designed with a SB-type 1-ton truck chassis. It was powered by a 6 cylinder gasoline motor which had a displacement of 3386cc and was water cooled. This prototype was called the Toyota Jeep, and since it used a B-Type engine with a Jeep model it was known as the BJ. Toyota’s 4x4 prototype was finished and ready to present to the National Police Reserve Force.

The Toyota Jeep BJ was introduced to the National Police Reserve Force for their procurement project, but it was rejected. The BJ didn’t gain acceptance until its first test run. The test run was done by Ichiro Taira, who climbed the BJ all the way to the Number 6 Check Point of Mt. Fuji. The National Police Reserve Force was so impressed that it adopted the BJ as their patrol car, and two years later large scale production for the Toyota Jeep began.

The Toyota Jeep BJ’s first production year was solely dedicated to the National Police Reserve Force. This first year was extremely successful and soon Toyota was taking orders from the Forest and Agricultural Agency and from Electric Power companies. It wasn’t until the year 1954 that Toyota changed the name from Toyota Jeep to Land Cruiser. This was the beginning of the Land Cruiser legacy.

• Engine: First generation F engine
• Single Barrel Carburetor with Siamese port intake
• 31443 Original mileage
• Transmission: 4 speed with single speed transfercase engage/disengage 4X4, Floor shift
• Factory PTO with single roller fairlead

At first glance it looks like an early FJ40. Notice the unique gas filler neck, side mounted spare, forward facing rear seat (not side facing jump seats), rounded/angled door frame and rounded wheel wells.

• Left Hand Drive Long Wheelbase Originally Sold in Montana SOR Restored

• Engine: F
Transmission: 3 Speed Column Shift 2 speed vacuum shift transfer

Interesting fact; no shift levers on the floor. Aftermarket Chrome trim. Non-USA turn signals Ramsey winch SOR Upholstery & Carpet SOR Roll Cage, Roll Bar Pad and Cover Kit

• Engine: F, Original Mileage - 6163
• Transmission: 3 Speed Column Shift
• 2 speed vacuum shift transfer
• Origin: Japan
• Special Info: 14” longer than an FJ40

Factory Softtop. Converted Japanese Fire Troop Carrier to civilian specs by SOR

• Originally 6 Cylinder Gasoline - Converted to turbocharged propane
• Two fuel tanks, 20 gallon propane tank under the vehicle and 60 gallon tank in the bed
• Top speed; 75-80 MPH
• Custom Smittybuilt roll cage
• Armstrong Tru-Trac bias ply tires
• Equipped with 10 shocks three on each side of the front and two on each of the back

In 1973 I was editor of Four Wheeler Magazine. Early that year the magazine took delivery of a Toyota FJ40 Land Cruiser project vehicle. It was converted to propane with a turbocharger added by Ak Miller. We called it the “Clean Air Land Cruiser” and our friend and mentor Walt Woron did three feature articles on the truck. The Baja 1000 that year was being held in the traditional month of November. On October 9 we had lunch with Max Jamieson, who also raced a Land Cruiser off-road, and Norm Lean, CEO of Toyota. They suggested that we turn the Clean Air Cruiser into a race truck and run it in the Baja 1000. A month to build a race truck isn’t very long, but we contacted our friend Pete Springer who had a shop in San Diego and built Buggies and Baja Bugs for racers. He was excited and came on board. It was up to Pete to convert the Cruiser into a racer. We used 10 shocks, with three on each side up front and two on each side in the rear. Pete built special front shock mounts that angled the shocks in the same direction as front wheel travel. New springs were fabricated. The engine was beefed up as was the drive line with a heavy-duty clutch. Heavy duty drum brakes were used. Smittybilt fabricated the roll cage.

In the original propane conversion story, a 20 gallon tank had been installed under the vehicle. For the race, Manchester Tank Co. installed another 60 gallon tank in the bed.

About a week before the race, Springer had been testing the Cruiser and had blown a head gasket. The gasket had gone because of high boost from the turbocharger. To avoid that problem a waste gate was installed that now lowered our top speed to 75-80 mph, as compared to the full-size pickups that could hit 120 to 140 mph! Uphill our speed was reduced considerably! But the Cruiser made time at a relatively slow pace on both pavement and in the rough. At least we could drive upside down if necessary with propane.

Once into the dirt we were going through some whoop-de-do’s when the engine quit. We both thought, “Oh no, not out so early.” But Pete got out with his tool box and started checking. A vacuum hose had fallen off under the hood and a fuel line safety valve had automatically shut off our supply of propane. The FJ-40 ran better then than previously, with the hose firmly clamped in place.

We had arranged with Toyota to have three refueling spots on the course. We had three Toyota Hi-Lux mini pickups fitted with Manchester tanks for propane and these were spotted along the course at Puertecitos, El Arco, and BUILDING & RACING THE FJ40 LAND CRUISER IN THE BAJA 1000 La Purisima. Each tank on the minis held 80 gallons. At Puertecitos we discovered that we had only used about 40 percent of the fuel in our 60 gallon tank. We were prepared with an 80 gallon capacity in case we got lost, but we never needed it. Our fuel consumption was much better than originally anticipated and we probably could have finished with only one fuel stop or two at the most.

The Baja 1000 in 1973 started in Ensenada, went east to San Felipe, then south through Bahia De Los Angeles to El Arco, continued south through San Ignacio, La Purisima and on to La Paz.

Just before El Arco, in the dark, we came to a stair-step hill and found Rod Hall and Jim Fricker, and their Bronco with a broken spindle. We were surprised, because Rod was far and away the favorite to win our class! That gave us hope of a good finish.

During the race, we only had one flat. In 1973 we were using Superior wheels and Armstrong Tru-Trac bias ply tires.

We got more fuel at El Arco at 2 am and were on our way. By dawn at check point eight at Rancho Candejo, we noticed a considerable lack of power in third gear. We found out later a bolt had come loose in the exhaust manifold and had fallen out. That caused the turbocharger to lose what boost it had been supplying. Our top speed was now reduced even more!

At 9 am we had our final fuel stop at La Purisima. We were told we might be in second place, and we knew there were others in our class behind us who were capable of passing us on the pavement. Our top speed was now under 70 mph... downhill we got up to 75!

Finally at 1 p.m. we pulled across the finish line in La Paz. We finished in 26 hours, five minutes and 15 seconds. A modified Bronco that had been put in our class by mistake beat us to La Paz, but that mistake was rectified and we were declared the winners of the stock 4x4 class!

We continued to race the trusty FJ-40 into 1976, including races such as the Baja 500 and Mint 400 at Las Vegas. We never won our class again, but finished third or fourth in a couple of races. At some point we converted the Cruiser to gasoline and added a fuel cell in the bed. As the Cruiser continued to age we were plagued by more and more breakdowns... radiator failures, broken spindles and wiring problems, so we decided to retire it. But during those years, the engine, drive train, and chassis were as bullet proof as ever. The old FJ-40 was one of the toughest 4x4’s ever made. After retirement, our race truck passed through several hands and is now in the loving care of Marv and Kay Spector at Specter Off-RoadTM.

• Engine: 2F, 1975 was the first year of the 2F Engine in US models
• Transmission: 4 Speed
• Transfer Case: 2 Speed high/low Transfer

1975 was the first year of the 2F Engine in US models

• Year: 1976 Model: BJ40 Right hand drive Engine: B Diesel, 31,167 original miles Transmission: 4 speed/2 speed transfer Origin: Japan

• 6X6 Coversion from Australia V8
• 350 Cubic Inch V8
• Quadrajet Carburetor
• Headers and custom exhaust
• Toyota 5 speed transmission, aftermarket 3 output transfercase 1 forward, 2 rear
• Power steering

One of a Kind Land Cruiser 6X6
Head turning Custom 1975 Land Cruiser FJ45 Troopy 6 Wheel Drive
Features period correct standard Toyota front drum brake axle. 2 Land Cruiser Rear axles set in a tandem 4 leaf spring configuration. Full floating forward axle and semi-floating back axle. Separate drive shaft for each axle. Right hand drive FJ45 Land Cruiser customized in Australia. Custom interior, Recaro front bucket seats, overhead console with 4 speaker sound system and CB radio, rear overhead air conditioning. Custom stainless steel water tank, insulated roof, side panels and floor. Custom rear sliding windows.

• Right Hand Drive converted to Left Hand Drive by Marv

• 6 Cylinder; F Gasoline Engine Right Hand Drive 4 Speed Transmission, 2 Speed Transfercase Produced by Araco Company for the Japanese Police Department. One of only two made

• 6 Cylinder; 2F Gasoline Engine Left Hand Drive 4 Speed Transmission, 2 Speed Transfercase Factory PTO Winch Rear Water Can Holder Factory Air Conditioning Factory Power Steering

Special Info:This Troopy was bought in Saudi Arabia, origin; UAE — Rumored to have been owned by a royal family in Dubai.

• 6 Cylinder; F Gasoline Engine Right Hand Drive 4 Speed Transmission, 2 Speed Transfercase Factory Air Conditioning Factory Power Steering
  rare only 500 FJ55's brought into the USA in 1979

• 4 Cylinder Diesel Right Hand Drive 4 Speed Transmission Toyota Forward Facing, Side Folding Rear Bench In-cab Hood Release Lever Factory Power Steering

Origin: Australia. Unique interior upholstery including a forward facing rear bench seat. Triple windshield wipers, a design currently used on the FJ Cruiser

• Engine: 2F Transmission: 4 Speed/2 Speed Transfer Special Info: Factory Chrome Kit (Bumper, Grill and Hooks) SOR Features: SOR Carpet SOR Roof Rack SOR Dash Carpet SOR UB40 Fender Flares SOR Headliner SOR Tail light Guards

• 6 Cylinder 2H Diesel
• Left Hand Drive
• 4 Speed Transmission
• PTO Winch
• In-cab Hood Release Lever

Specter’s 1984 HJ47 Pick Up was originally from Nicaragua, South America. Specter has owned this vehicle since 1986 and it has been used as a daily driver and has gone on many four wheeling trips. Toyota Motor Sales, USA has featured this Cruiser in their 1998, 1999, 2000, & 2001 Factory Land Cruiser Sales Brochures.

• 1986 BJ70 Canadian Model 3B Diesel Motor
• 24 Volt System 5 Speed Transmission
• Factory PTO Winch Full Float Axles
• Disc Brakes
• Power Steering
• Suspension Seats Cold Weather Specs
• Power Clutch LX Package

• 12HT (6 cylinder turbo), automatic transmission/manual shift transfercase. Specter Off-Road’s Heavy Duty 3 inch Suspension Kit. Specter Off-Road’s slip covers and Tuff Tread Floor Mats front and rear.

Super Clean HJ62 Conversion by Marv Spector Originally a 1989 Land Cruiser FJ62 converted to Diesel

• Marv and Kay Spector’s personal vehicle Has front and rear locking axles Has non-USA second fuel tank Aftermarket swing out tire carrier

• Engine: 1HZ Diesel
• Transmission: 4 Speed Auto Trans, KD-HZJ73V, Only 76 original Klm
• Origin: Japan
• 24 Volt electrical system
• Electric locking hubs, A/C

Made for the domestic Japanese market as a neoclassic 40 Series. Originally this car was to have a limited production, but due to the economy in Japan even fewer were made, approximately 68 were produced.

• Marv’s first fire truck 6 Cylinder; F Gasoline Engine Right Hand Drive 4 Speed Transmission, 2 Speed Transfercase
• 64 firetruck Frist owned. A year later Marv bought another one from a fire station in a town called Tadamiko and it had consecutive frame numbers. Hand crank siren

• 6 Cylinder; F Gasoline Engine
• 4 Speed Transmission, 2 Speed Transfercase
• Factory PTO Winch
• Rear Water Can Holder
• Right Hand Drive
• Factory Air Conditioning
• Factory Power Steering

Full Floating Rear Axle Only 4689 km (2919 miles) PTO Operated Water Pump Compound Low 4 Speed Transmission Used at a volunteer fire department in the Osaka area.

• 6 Cylinder; 2F Gasoline Engine Right Hand Drive 4 Speed Transmission, 2 Speed Transfercase Factory PTO Winch Rear Water Can Holder Factory Air Conditioning Factory Power Steering

• Carbureted 6 Cylinder; 3F Gasoline Engine Right Hand Drive 5 Speed Transmission, 2 Speed Transfercase Set up to pump directly from a water source such as a lake or stream.

Special Info: Unique high roof and four door hard top. Imported from Japan. FJ62’s in the United States are sold with fuel injection and automatic transmission as standard.