One who is a serious JDM enthusiast
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The Toyota Land Cruiser 80 Series already has serious credibility in the American off-roading scene, but finding a low-mileage, rust-free example is becoming more and more difficult. However, if you are willing to embrace the JDM lifestyle, a very intriguing import was recently up for sale in Georgia. The 1997 Toyota Land Cruiser GX Fire Command is a retired Japanese emergency vehicle that pairs the capability of the iconic nameplate with a cool backstory. Visually, the model is finished in a signature red paint which is common among firefighting vehicles in Japan.
This looks great in combination with the rugged front guard with Land Cruiser lettering, black steel wheels, and chrome mirror caps. Very unlike this Modellista-modified modern Land Cruiser. The unpainted bumpers are combined with body-colored fender extensions and a matching spare tire cover on the tailgate. Equipment includes a large roof rack, window rain guards, and emergency lights mounted on the roof. Interestingly, the grille doesn’t bear the familiar Toyota emblem, but a flower-shaped badge inspired by cherry blossoms, which is used by Japanese fire departments.
Carry your family and friends in style
Being a Fire Command vehicle, the Land Cruiser was driven by personnel coordinating resources at emergency sites rather than actively fighting fires. This explains why it doesn’t get any water tanks. Inside the cabin, we find gray cloth upholstery, although the driver’s seatback appears to be missing a cover.
In any case, the Land Cruiser has a practical seven-seater layout. According to the seller, all of the specialized equipment including the lights, sirens, radio, and intercom are fully operational, and the vehicle comes with an authenticated certificate.
Under the hood sits a naturally aspirated 4.5-liter 1FZ-FE inline-6 engine. The listing on eBay doesn’t mention specs, but this mill usually delivers 212 horsepower and 275 lb-ft of torque in the 80 Series. Power is sent to all four wheels through a 4-speed automatic transmission and a 4WD system. The ladder frame chassis comes with coil-sprung solid front and rear axles, ensuring it can tackle the toughest terrains.
Furthermore, as with most government vehicles, the Land Cruiser was likely subjected to meticulous maintenance throughout its service life. With 39,129 miles on the odometer, this 1997 Land Cruiser GX Fire Command was listed for $29,995 and comes with a clean Georgia title. The seller — who has owned the SUV for the past four years — claims it is rust-free.
