Few trucks or SUVs are as well-known around the globe as the Toyota Land Cruiser. For decades, this vehicle's rugged and durable nature has allowed it to be used in the world's most extreme environments. Early Land Cruisers were designed mainly for utilitarian use, but models since the 1980s have become much more suited for the general consumer.The history of the Toyota Land Cruiser dates back to the early 1950s. At that time, Toyota was interested in building a four-wheel-drive vehicle similar to the U.S. military's Jeep, for use by Japan's police services. The result was the four-cylinder BJ20 and the six-cylinder FJ20. Soon after, Toyota gave this original "20 Series" vehicle the Land Cruiser name.
Though Toyota introduced the FJ20 to the U.S. market in 1958, it is that vehicle's replacement -- the FJ40 Land Cruiser that debuted a few years later -- that most people recognize as being the classic Land Cruiser. This FJ40 and its four-door SUV variant, the 55 Series, were well known for their rugged and durable nature and recently served as inspiration for Toyota's introduction of the retro-themed FJ Cruiser SUV.
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