May not be British, but it does rust and leak: new to me ’76 FJ40

[drooartz]

My first interesting vehicle was a very rusty ’76 FJ40 Land Cruiser back in the mid 1990s when I was fresh out of college. I’ve owned one other one since then and they’ve always been a little nag in the back of my mind. Back in April I happened to run across one of my old FJ40s and I was smitten again. A variety of other moves found me selling my ND Miata, and with cash in the bank I went on the hunt.

Last weekend I bought “Otis” (so named by a previous owner) the 1976 FJ40 out of Steamboat Springs, CO. I had been interested in a few others, but this one just seemed to fall into place. Steamboat is only about 6 hrs from me so I was able to look it over in person and we were able to make a deal so I could trailer it home. Good to have one back in the fold.

Happy new owner

At home with my LBCs

Quick drive up into the mountains for a beauty shot (about 10 mins from my house)

 

[Mickey Richaud]

Great find, Drew - looks good!

 

[drooartz]

I’m excited for it. It has some issues of course, but it seems to be fundamentally solid. The previous owners have taken care of it, so now it is my turn. Already starting the list of projects.

 

[AngliaGT]

Drew -

"I'm not buying any more cars"

SIX MONTHS LATER

Drew,

"Let me show you what I just bought"


I did the same thing when we moved to Virginia,& I (finally)
had an uncluttered garage.I told my Wife -

"I'm not buying any more project cars"

Then the '80 Fiesta Sport came along,& I told her -

"Look what I bought"

 

[drooartz]

To be fair, this is my first old car in a long time. MGB in 2011, Morris in 2015, and my Xterra in 2017. The Miata was a short termer, but I had my fun with it and happy to have traded it for this one.