I got order from Toyota museum Europe for restoration of very rare Toyota Land Cruiser FJ45LV.

They spend over 5 years for find this car in Europe but did not come off.

They decided for find this car in USA and make full restoration to their museum.

Long time my friend Marv Specter (also he is owner of famous Land Cruiser shop) help me for find this car.

Almost 2 week he found this very rare car for me!

I restored many sports cars or race cars in my life, but I did'nt restored 4WD car(except 4wd rally cars,).

Also I don't have interested in Land Cruiser.

I start researchthis car and found only 5,080 cars producted,also in Europe this car price was twice higher than Porsche 911S!

On 8/28 me and Tom went to Canoga Park California for pick up this car.

It was hottest day in this summer! and we must back our shop on 4,500 feet high!

Almost 11 month sitting this car in owner's garage we change battery and put new gas in tank and try start engine,fire up! and stable idling.

We approach 118 Freeway!?!?

Here is Castaic long up hill!

Tom drove 70~75mph constantly and passing 4,000ft sign(you see sign on side of freeway).

Finally Tom made back to our shop! 

Right rear quarter panel has big dent

Right passenger door has rust and crack.

Floor has many rust and holes.

Additional gas tank on right side of luggage room.

Spare tire is good condition.

This is very rare PTO winch.

This car has many rust (I believed this car used thick steel panel but paint quality was no good in those days) but kept original except additional gas tank.

Body work is so hard but I can make museum quality car. 

All parts take out and this shell send to sandblast shop for strip pain and rust.

Meantime I made special frame for separated body.

Body mounting bolts removed on lift.

Separated body from frame.

Frame is good condition.

Sleeping beauty on special bed!

Sand blasting for body and many panels.

Tailgate has a lot of dent and rust!

I cut off rusty area and made new sheet for there.

How about finish?

I plug welded holes and lead work on dent.

T

Tail section was so rusty and cut off and I made new tail gate sill.