Picture this: You’re scrolling through car classifieds sites, looking for a new ride, and you come across an immaculately-maintained Toyota Land Cruiser. Not just any Toyota Land Cruiser – it’s a 70-year Anniversary Edition, and it’s got an outrageously high price tag – $200,000. What’s the story behind this bubble-wrapped beauty, and why is it so sought after?

Toyota Land Cruisers are beloved by Aussies due to their rugged old-world engineering and design, which dates back to the 1980s. Their popularity has made them a hot commodity, with waitlists of over two years at many dealerships.

Limited Edition: 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser 70th Anniversary 70 Series, carefully preserved and wrapped. Source: CARSALES

Toyota stopped taking orders for the 70 series last July, as supply constraints led to blow-out delivery times, and savvy owners started selling their bubble-wrapped vehicles for top dollar — only 600 examples of the 70th anniversary model were made in 2021.

Dealers have even got around the recommended retail price, $80,500, by immediately registering the vehicles and selling them as low-km demonstrators for as much as $115,000.

One Sydney businessman, Jamie Drivas, had the foresight to buy a 70th anniversary model for his automotive business in 2021. Jamie has kept it bubble-wrapped and stored immaculately since he purchased it, and has racked up just 12 kilometres on the clock.Jamie is now trying to sell the 70-year anniversary edition for $139,000, but models have sold for as much as $199,000..

Jamie had previously advertised it for $200,000, and was getting offers of more than $150,000, but these fell through due to recent interest rate hikes bursting the bubble (no pun intended!), as people struggled to get loans.

Factors That Affect Car Prices and Resale Values​

• Age of the vehicle: Older vehicles generally have lower resale values compared to newer ones.
• Condition: The overall condition of the car, including its exterior, interior, and mechanical components, can significantly impact its resale value.
• Rarity and popularity: Limited edition or rare vehicles that are in high demand tend to command higher prices and resale values.
• Availability of parts: The ease of sourcing parts for a specific vehicle can affect both the cost of restoration and the resale value.
• Interest rates: Fluctuations in interest rates can impact car prices and resale values, as changes in borrowing costs may influence buyers' ability to secure loans.

Key Takeaways

• Old-school Toyota Land Cruiser utes are now selling for big prices, with some being advertised for as much as $200,000.
• The four-wheel-drive 70 Series is in high demand, with waitlists stretching past two years at some dealerships.
• Owners are asking top dollar for the ute, despite its old-world engineering and design.
• Prices could possibly spike again if Toyota discontinues the V8 diesel in the 70 Series, as traditionalists look to secure a piece of automotive history.

The story doesn't stop there. If Toyota indeed confirms the discontinuation of the V8 diesel in the 70 Series, prices are expected to surge once again. We witnessed a similar pattern when the V8 diesel was replaced in the 200 Series Land Cruiser with the more modern twin-turbo diesel V6 in the 300 Series last year. Traditionalists rushed to secure a piece of history, causing prices to skyrocket.

So, if you're in the market for a meticulously preserved Toyota Land Cruiser and you're willing to pay the premium for this iconic piece of Australian automotive history, time is of the essence. Act quickly because once they're gone, they're gone!

Here are a couple of questions for our readers: Do you think this car is worth its price? On another note, what's your dream car, and why? Share your thoughts on the value of owning a piece of automotive history and tell us your aspirations when it comes to your dream vehicle. We look forward to hearing your opinions!

 

[MariaG]

The bubble wrap alone would add $50. Has to get that investment back somehow.
Not in my lifetime would I consider such a purchase.
Devotees of the brand can have it.
I'll stick to my hybrid Yaris Cross and do so very happily.

 

[Gsr]

While I would never pay anywhere that amount for any vehicle Toyota 70 series land cruiser utes are becoming a highly sought after vehicle. Older ones are in huge demand, they are becoming hard to find in any condition. People are doing them up and making a fortune selling them. We bought one for our grandson, he is always being asked if he will sell it, an older man offered him $10,000 more than we paid for it, but he won’t sell it, he calls it his chick magnet, lots of his young girl friends pay him to drive them places in it, just to be seen in it. Saying that most older car brands are getting hard to find as people seek them out to do them up. We are almost finished doing up our 1978 GXL Ford Fairmont, it has cost us a lot of money and has been really hard sourcing the parts we needed due to the high demand for them. It will be worth a very decent amount of money if we decide to sell it, after we get to do some trips in it. At our age we are no longer sure we will be able to get into and out of it easily, but we intend to give it a good go.

 

[KSS]

Not my cup of tea but if it's yours, then fill your boots! No competition here.

 

[maxesmum]

Why would you buy a car you can’t maintain? They’re discontinuing the parts? Makes no sense to me. I’ll keep my little buzzbox

 

[Luckyus]

Why would you buy a car you can’t maintain? They’re discontinuing the parts? Makes no sense to me. I’ll keep my little buzzbox

Enough problems with the shitbox I've got don't need another.