Imported from Japan, this 1997 Toyota Land Cruiser Fire Command vehicle was sold for just over R500 000 in the US.
Representing an ever-shrinking availability of relatively affordable, low-mileage examples of the Land Cruiser 80 Series, this 1997 GX Fire Command JDM import may be the answer some are looking for. As a retired Japanese firefighting vehicle, this model is finished in an appropriate red paint finish akin to a vehicle of this nature.
Faithful to its firefighting heritage, this Fire Command 80 Series features a front bull bar, aluminium roof rack, and roof-mounted emergency lights. The Japanese fire department’s emblem is sited on the grille, in lieu of the Toyota badge. The SUV further features extended wheel arches. A spare tyre cover can be found on the tailgate.
Being that it was a Fire Command vehicle, no specialised equipment like water tankers was fitted, as these examples were generally used to coordinate resources at emergency sites rather than actively fighting fires. The lights, radio, intercom, and sirens remain functional.
Like other 80 Series Land Cruisers, this example employs Toyota’s (1FZ-FE) 4.5-litre naturally aspirated inline-six petrol engine, which develops 158 kW and 372 N.m of torque. Power is sent to all four wheels via a four-speed automatic transmission, replete with a low-range transfer case. The permanent four-wheel-drive system features a centre differential lock.
This example had only 62 972 km on the odometer, with the owner claiming the vehicle remained rust-free during their four-year ownership. The model was listed on eBay in the US, where it was sold for $29 995. At the time of sale, the latter figure translated to R501 198.45 at the Rand-Dollar exchange rate.
