Book Review: Toyota Land Cruiser – The Story of a Legendary 4×4

[Toyota Owners Club]

The complete history of one of the most famous 4x4s of all time

The Land Cruiser is Toyota’s longest continually produced model. From its start as a utility vehicle built during a period of economic gloom and uncertainty after the Second World War, it is now a well-equipped, luxurious and highly capable prestige SUV.

This book covers all the changes that have taken place over the years to provide a complete history of the Land Cruiser’s extraordinary heritage.

This book covers all the changes that have taken place over the years to provide a complete history of the Land Cruiser’s extraordinary heritage and includes the Land Cruiser’s outstanding success in some of the toughest environments of the world, and what it takes to modify it to meet the toughest of conditions.

The author follows the extensive range history of the Land Cruiser from its earliest models, through the utility models, right up to the prestigious versions that exist today and draws on his considerable experience of both on-road and off-road testing to provide his informed professional judgement on this extraordinary vehicle.

The first chapter deals with the origins of the Land Cruiser and how Military and Economic circumstances lead to the birth of a legend.

The second chapter looks at the Land Cruiser range and how it varied over the years to accommodate the commercial and private markets.

The third chapter looks at a specific model, the FJ40 and how it has evolved over the years to become one of the best 4WD vehicles ever built.

The fourth and final chapter deals with modifying the Land Cruiser for expeditions, safari holidays and world speed record events!

All in, this book is a fascinating read for any Land Cruiser enthusiasts and comprehensively covers the models from 1951 to present day.
Numerous diagrams, data charts, photos (colour and mono) are used throughout to break up the written content making it easier the reader to pick up and put down as required and digest as much or as little information as desired.

A very informative and attractively laid out book at a reasonable price!

BIBLIOGRAPHIC INFORMATION
Publisher: Amberley Publishing
Publication: 15th December 2017
RRP: £14.99
ISBN: 978-1-4456-7173-4
Size: 234 x 165mm
Binding: Paperback
Extent: 96 pages
Illustrations: 150 illustrations
Rights: World, all languages

Also available in Kindle, Kobo and iBook formats

THE AUTHOR
Nigel Fryatt is editor of the UK’s only multi-marque four-wheel drive publication, 4×4 Magazine.
He has been a motoring journalist for over thirty years, having edited Sporting Cars, Cars and Car Conversions, and was also launch editor of MiniWorld, The Golf and Land Rover World. He has contributed to numerous international motoring publications.
Nigel has been Publisher of IPC’s Specialist motoring titles and also Publisher at CH Publications and he is now a freelance editor and author. Besides editing 4×4 Magazine, he is currently a columnist and regular contributor to Classic Car Buyer.