boozewz
SILVER Star
So about two months ago, I thought my near 6 year quest to find a clean troopy came to an end as I spotted an immaculate looking one in the mountainous southern region of Saudi Arabia. It was too clean, and the asking price was not something I was willing to part with. The south of Arabia is a known area to find cruisers in excellent condition, because of the zero humidity and lack of salt water presence, which makes rust least likely to be a factor, and also because of the year round pleasant weather conditions. (elevation is between 6k-7k ft). Jeddah, my hometown is loaded with old FJ40 and FJ45 pickups, but all are found with heaps of rust in them, due to the sea level conditions.
Below is a pic of the troopy I found at an auction yard that day in the south. I tried to negotiate the price down, and was told flat out "No chance mate".....The rig had only arrived a day before, and they didnt expect it to stay for more than 3 to 4 days tops. Landcruisers in Saudi hold their value; and troopy's are rare as it is, so one in good shape just made it harder to nail down a reasonable price.
Desponded, I snapped a pic of it, and made my way home, about 1000km away.
Next to it are 2 X FJ45 Pickups
A few days later, I called the auction dude up and told him thats it, I am ready to buy at your asking price; his answer was sorry, its been sold
Lo and behold, two months later, my wonderful mrs surprises me on my birthday with this
:
I just could not believe what she had done! She had actually tracked down the dude at the auction, and made him an offer the day after I had gotten back from that trip. They had sold it to her! What a superstar she is. I honestly dont know how I am gonna get her back on that one.
But for now, lets have a look at the cruiser.
The front
The rear
2F engine, with a H41 Tranny
Interior/dashboard
Speedo....Most '80 to '83 models that I have seen around Saudi have clocked between 100k to 150k kms. So this is possible. It could also have been tampered with
Pedals
Switches and radio
Glove box
Front seats.....the PO was definitely a farmer!
Rear section and bench seats
Below is a pic of the troopy I found at an auction yard that day in the south. I tried to negotiate the price down, and was told flat out "No chance mate".....The rig had only arrived a day before, and they didnt expect it to stay for more than 3 to 4 days tops. Landcruisers in Saudi hold their value; and troopy's are rare as it is, so one in good shape just made it harder to nail down a reasonable price.
Desponded, I snapped a pic of it, and made my way home, about 1000km away.
Next to it are 2 X FJ45 Pickups
A few days later, I called the auction dude up and told him thats it, I am ready to buy at your asking price; his answer was sorry, its been sold
Lo and behold, two months later, my wonderful mrs surprises me on my birthday with this
:
I just could not believe what she had done! She had actually tracked down the dude at the auction, and made him an offer the day after I had gotten back from that trip. They had sold it to her! What a superstar she is. I honestly dont know how I am gonna get her back on that one.
But for now, lets have a look at the cruiser.
The front
The rear
2F engine, with a H41 Tranny
Interior/dashboard
Speedo....Most '80 to '83 models that I have seen around Saudi have clocked between 100k to 150k kms. So this is possible. It could also have been tampered with
Pedals
Switches and radio
Glove box
Front seats.....the PO was definitely a farmer!
Rear section and bench seats
(and so is your missus 
