This Detachable-Top Land Cruiser 70 Series Is Peak Old-School Toyota

Born in ’84

There’s no doubting the Toyota Land Cruiser 70‘s longevity. It’s the longest-running single-generation Toyota ever made, and it’s still going strong after nearly 42 years. Born in the mid-’80s, the 70 Series has already beaten the 40 Series in terms of production years.

It’s been facelifted a couple of times in the last couple of decades, and has received new engines along the way. Most of the body styles it was introduced with are still around, too. There are the three-door, five-door, pickup, and troop carrier, but no longer available is the one with a detachable top, arguably the coolest body style of this off-roader.

Not Rare, But Not Too Common

That version of the 70 Series was only available in short-wheelbase form, but we’re not complaining about that. It was offered with either a canopy top or a fiberglass top. They were produced in Japan from 1984 until the early 2000s.

Exact production numbers are unknown, but we wouldn’t call the soft-top 70 Series rare. They’re not as common as the tin tops, that’s for sure, although it’s fair to say Toyota sold a good number of those before they were discontinued. Of course, the U.S never got the 70 Series, which makes them a novelty stateside. The grass is greener, as they say.

One Spotless Example

One of the many built was recently sold by Car Cave USA for an undisclosed figure. That said, soft-top 70 Series models usually go for about $15,000 to $35,000 in auction sites. But one of the more recent ones that went up for sale is likely in the upper bracket of that price range.

It’s a (late) 1998 model finished in Atlantic Blue and trimmed with a grey interior. But what makes this 70 Series different is its country of origin. Granted, all of them were built in Japan, but this is an original left-hand drive example sourced from Europe. It’s not a cut-and-shut conversion job, so it’s safe, and you don’t get the minor inconveniences of driving a right-hand drive car.

In nearly 28 years, this particular example has only done 122,801 miles, which is barely broken in when it comes to Land Cruisers of any kind. It’s powered by the near-indestructible 4.2-liter 1HZ inline-six diesel engine. It’s not exactly a powerhouse with just 133 hp and 210 lb-ft, and it’s a non-turbocharged diesel lump. At least it’s a five-speed manual.

Immortal and Indestructible

But acceleration times aren’t a reason anyone would even consider one of these. In this case, it’s all about resilience and durability. The large straight-six diesel is unstressed, and the cast-iron block is as robust as they come. Solid axles all the way mean wayward on-road dynamics, but it maximizes suspension articulation and traction off the beaten track. Its frame is still strong enough to cut the mustard today, and its simplicity is its ace.

Compared to today’s 70 Series, models from nearly 30 years ago are as uncomplicated as they come. Even today’s example has a far more advanced engine with a compact 2.8-liter turbodiesel that makes far more power and torque than the 4.2 straight-six. Admittedly, the 2.8-liter turbodiesel is still a simple engine by today’s standards, but next to the 1HZ, it’s like comparing a gaming laptop to a pocket calculator.

But the 70 Series’ charm, especially the older ones, lies in its unpretentiousness. Having tried out a 1990 short-wheelbase tin top 70 Series in the past, this writer can tell you that it’s far from comfortable and far from a great drive on the road. However, shines when it disappears, with that feeling of indestructability, which emboldens you to do more daring (off-road) maneuvers. Endearing is the best way to describe it, and it’s something car companies can’t really build these days. Save for Toyota, of course.