Ferraris, for sure. Porsches, probably. Mustangs, maybe. But the last thing you might expect from one of the world’s biggest automotive auction houses when promoting its next major sale is to highlight the event with a selection of Toyota LandCruisers.
That, however, is exactly the strategy employed by US-based Mecum Auctions to spark some media attention for its mid-March sale being held in Glendale, Arizona.
Running from March 17-21 and with more than 2000 vehicles listed, the sale has something for just about everyone – especially anyone interesting in owning a historic Toyota 4×4.
Earliest of the ‘Cruisers on offer is a restored but not pristine 1966 model with three-speed manual box and obligatory high-low range transfer case, plus extra seats in the cargo area and a stated genuine 24,713 miles travelled.
Next among the Arizona sale’s FJ40 listings is a 1971 model with uprated Corbeau seats and big wheels. Offered with no reserve, it’s likely to be less expensive than either of the other FJ40s, particularly a 1978 model which has undergone a full restoration and been fitted with a non-original but more drivable five-speed manual transmission.
The other, a 1974 model, has been repainted and comes fitted wit black steel wheels shod in chunky all-terrains, but has been garage-kept and retains its original driveline.
Buyers needing to carry more people and luggage can bid on a nicely restored and uprated FJ60 four-door wagon from 1982, in red with grey cloth seats, a lift kit and underbody protection. This one is predicted to sell for considerably less than the earlier ‘shorties’ with US$60,000 a possibility.
There’s even a heavily modified 80 Series model which has been fitted with a remanufactured and supercharged version of the 4.5-litre 1FZ engine, just to show how much variety is on offer among the Toyota-badged listings.
Mecum certainly has runs on the board when it comes to selling old ‘Cruisers for big bucks, with this year’s sales already achieving US$88,000 for a diesel-engined FJ40 and several winning bids in the region of US$70,000 for excellent examples of the long-wheelbase FJ45 pickup.
The highest prices ever paid for FJ40s have reportedly been for completely restored and uprated (V6 turbo-diesel engines with five-speed transmission) examples from US-based restorers The FJ Company. Its ground-up ‘resto-mods’ based on 1970s versions can cost US$270,000.
Other exceptional prices during recent years include the US$176,000 paid during early 2026, and US$111,900 in 2022. These figures were considered extraordinary and came at a time when almost every vehicle offered was being snapped up by bored and housebound (due to Covid-19) collectors. Values since that time have generally declined and it now takes an extraordinary FJ40 to top US$120k.
Anyone visiting Arizona next month and keen to return home with a car might consider some of the Mecum sale’s less expensive 1960s-70s classics. Plenty of cars in the listings will sell below US$50,000 and are certain to turn heads back in Australia.
They include Mecum’s 1965 Pontiac GTO convertible; a recent respray in eye-watering red with 389-cubic inches and a four-speed manual transmission. Ford enthusiasts with similar money to outlay could also bid on an open-top car, this one a 1970 Torino GT with the 5.8-litre Cleveland V8, power top and sports wheels.
One that offers a familiar shape to Australian viewers is the Dodge Dart Super Bee – a car dimensionally identical to our VG Pacer Hardtop. In place of a 4.0-litre inline six-cylinder engine, though, this one has a 7.2-litre, 440-cubic inch ‘Big Block’ V8 which might shock anyone lining up beside what they believe to be an old two-door Valiant.
