I found this very early FJ45V in Australia. It took some time but this weekend it started her trip to The Netherlands. So I think it is time to start my thread.
We are talking about a 1963 FJ45V with VIN 3-FJ45-13304 (sorry Clemson).
The story: Me and my dad are restoring a 62 FJ40 some of you know from the 25 section. In a thread I posted that I would love to get a LV once (after the 40 is finished). Prompt I received a PM from Andy Budge about a 45V for sale in Australia. It was nice but sadly it was sold before I was able to jump on it. I was in no hurry but I set a google search alert on "FJ45V". Some time later one showed up in Queensland. The seller didn't reply my messages but Andy and Catskinner did the talking for me. I received a couple of pics and they show the car is quite rusty. The price was right and with some more help the deal was made. My new australian friends helped me a lot.
I asked a car shipper for a shipping price but also asked a business contact who has experience with overseas shipping if he knows a way to ship it. He was able to do it a lot cheaper but I had o find a way to get the car in the container. Cult offered me to help me and together with Catskinner they loaded and secured it in the container.
Catskinner, Cult and Andy, thank you very much for all of your time and help!!!
The FJ45V is a former state emergency vehicle and was used as an ambulance. So no rear bench (the front bench is present) but lots of early details are present.
Here it is. The stock wheels are gone but Cult had some hubcap clipped split wheels that are shipped in and on the vehicle:
Stamped bezel
White speedo and darth vader light
stock driveline (with 3 spd floor shift), elephant horns
funky ashtray (stock?)
It didn't run in many years. There is some serious rust in the floors and roof. So driving it as it is won't work. We will make plans after the car arrives in The Netherlands in a couple of weeks Then we'll see what we really bought. And probably store it untill the FJ40 is finished.
BTW FJ45LV's were never officially imported in Europe. I know of 2 now, one in the Netherlands (VIN 20234) and one in Germany (from Costa Rica IIRC). So this is extremely rare here, one of the reasons we wanted it. We're very excited and can't wait to see it in real.
We are talking about a 1963 FJ45V with VIN 3-FJ45-13304 (sorry Clemson).
The story: Me and my dad are restoring a 62 FJ40 some of you know from the 25 section. In a thread I posted that I would love to get a LV once (after the 40 is finished). Prompt I received a PM from Andy Budge about a 45V for sale in Australia. It was nice but sadly it was sold before I was able to jump on it. I was in no hurry but I set a google search alert on "FJ45V". Some time later one showed up in Queensland. The seller didn't reply my messages but Andy and Catskinner did the talking for me. I received a couple of pics and they show the car is quite rusty. The price was right and with some more help the deal was made. My new australian friends helped me a lot.
I asked a car shipper for a shipping price but also asked a business contact who has experience with overseas shipping if he knows a way to ship it. He was able to do it a lot cheaper but I had o find a way to get the car in the container. Cult offered me to help me and together with Catskinner they loaded and secured it in the container.
Catskinner, Cult and Andy, thank you very much for all of your time and help!!!
The FJ45V is a former state emergency vehicle and was used as an ambulance. So no rear bench (the front bench is present) but lots of early details are present.
Here it is. The stock wheels are gone but Cult had some hubcap clipped split wheels that are shipped in and on the vehicle:
Stamped bezel
White speedo and darth vader light
stock driveline (with 3 spd floor shift), elephant horns
funky ashtray (stock?)
It didn't run in many years. There is some serious rust in the floors and roof. So driving it as it is won't work. We will make plans after the car arrives in The Netherlands in a couple of weeks Then we'll see what we really bought. And probably store it untill the FJ40 is finished.
BTW FJ45LV's were never officially imported in Europe. I know of 2 now, one in the Netherlands (VIN 20234) and one in Germany (from Costa Rica IIRC). So this is extremely rare here, one of the reasons we wanted it. We're very excited and can't wait to see it in real.