So if you don’t currently own a 40, but you know about Jonathan Ward, Roothy, Profitt’s Resurrections, Mr LandCruiser and Josh Common’s Rugged Companion consider yourself gone – you already are in too deep. Three years being on the hunt for the virgin original stock truck, I have clocked up my fair share of website hits and youtube views. There is some great information and inspiration out there and it served as my regular FJ fix until the hunt finally ended.
It was a Saturday morning early Feb 2019, I had become accustomed to the usual bi-weekly scan of the classified sites to bear no fruit. The usual process, Carsales first, punch in the BJ42 search – nothin. Next BJ40.
Why, hello there old friend! What do we have here…
To find an old farmers truck, iconic original freeborn red paint, low km’s, used sparingly, never off-roaded, 100% complete, always garaged and no rust. Could this just be the unicorn I was after? It seemed to good to be true, and after three years of hunting I had become conditioned to be sceptical. What too often looks and reads promising on screen, doesn’t typically turn out to be reality. There was also my mates who love a stitch up, so I half expected they were baiting me, I would call the number and they would be on the other line…. yep, hook, line and sinker. So as the cautious optimist, I called the number.
“Hello, can I speak to Don please regarding the advertised BJ40”
“Ah yes, speaking”
All I can say is this was legitimate; and the truck’s second owner Don, a true gentleman. Don took the time to walk me through the trucks fully documented story. The way in which he spoke about the truck, softly with affection, care and precise detail showed it was precious to him. Although it wasn’t creepy in a Lord of the Rings type of way. Don’s approach was more akin to a curator at a museum, keen to ensure any future owner of his LandCruiser would preserve and care for it equal or better than his fastidious standard.
I ran through the typical pre-purchase questions, and when I asked about rust, I distinctly remember Don’s tone change, from the quiet elderly gentleman to boldly responding “NOT THIS ONE,” as if he was offended I even asked. Perfect response. Although I quickly moved into compliment mode as my mere mention of rust was a sore spot and I did not want him to think I was rude and not sell it to me.
Don like myself enjoyed a documented story of the vehicle. The truck came with everything from full service records and invoices of all work ever carried out, Toyota original service books, magazine of the June 1978 Overlander magazine edition with BJ40 full feature. Also as the truck had never had a radio fitted so had a grand score of the rare T plate radio cover, plus the Toyota original tool roll and inspection light in the glove box. It was official, the unicorn had been finally found. After two conversations and few more photos exchanged I was not going to take the risk of the vehicle being sold underneath me. Sight unseen we struck a deal, Don had his deposit and my next job was to purchase my one-way train ticket to Kerang.
Every truck has a story.
This 11/79 Freeborn red BJ40 was delivered new to the retired farmer and owner Mr E.W Frechner on 28th July 1980, from Toyota dealership Ted Neils Motors Tralagon Victora. Today as the vehicle sits it still retains the original Ted Neils Motors dealership sticker on the backdoor window keeping with the nostalgia. As proven in the service record, Frechner used the vehicle very sparingly. During his ownership the vehicle was rarely driven more than one day a week, typically used for country shop runs and the little B engine was rarely pushed above 80 km/h. The service record has the first service stamp on 6 August 1980, 1,272 km only; and the second entry 24th January 1981 at 5,778km travelled. The vehicle spent twenty eight years with Frechner, and sadly only changed hands only upon Frechner’s passing. It was very evident that the vehicle was well cared for and a credit to the first owner.
Don like me, only eleven years earlier was on his hunt. Don told me that at the time he was looking for an original clean example to use on the occasional club run, but never would be 4×4’ed. It was the 4th July 2008, Don found two ad’s for Frechner’s truck; one in the Trading Post and another in the classifieds section of the paper. At the time the vehicle’s asking price was $8,750, Don purchased it for $8,500 at that stage with only 35,000 of Frechner’s original km’s on the clock.
Upon my eventual collection of the vehicle, over a couple of tasty home made chicken and ham rolls made by Don’s wife (true country hospitality which cannot be beaten) in his living room he shared more memories and stories of the truck. Don presented a colour appropriate red folder, with the total service history and past records of ownership, also the two ads dating back to 2008 from the Trading Post and the newspaper clipping when he was hunting. Under Don’s ownership, it proudly sat as a stable mate with other vintage cars and was only driven from time to time, adding a mere 12,000 additional km in eleven years, bringing total original km’s to 47,000 today.
The joy of this truck is the virginity and condition of it. As it is a 40 year old vehicle, I am pleased to inherit some nice patina on the driver side steps, but none to be seen on the passenger side as this was Frechner’s truck, he never took passengers; and nor did Don. There is some rub on the gear stick underneath the gear knob where Frechner put the first 35 and Don took care of the next 12.
For me knowing the truck’s story is part of the joy, making it more than just a pleasure it becomes both a privilege and responsibility. I suspect I will be owning it longer than the previous owners, accumulating many more kms and ensuring the LandCruiser spirit still lives within it. I cannot imagine parting with it and the memories already being created with my 15 month old son, and his affection for it already tells me this will be in the family for a very long time to come.
As I have previously mentioned, two of my buddies have their FJ’s and it would be damn fun to hit the High Country running mud terrains, mod the engine, equip a snorkel and even fit a radio. Perhaps in time I will acquire another more fitting FJ/BJ as a project for this purpose. But under my ownership as Frechner and Don had, it will remain all original stock and cared for condition. Well perhaps with a touch more spirit of responsible adventure in its next 47,000kms – it is a 40 series after all.
Thanks for reading.
Roaming Red Adventures 