Early Toyota Import Mystery Solved.

[Indygbd]

I recently purchased multiple early Toyota Books written in Japanese. Using a translator app I think I finally solved a mystery. For years we have heard only 1 Land Cruiser sold in 1958. That’s in the museum however the data plate on that is stamped 1959 so that makes no sense to me. I currently own a 1958 FJ25 with data plate stamped 1958. Frame number 5501L. I also own another 1958 stamped 1959 like the museums with an earlier serial number than theirs and know where 2 other 1958 FJ25’s are located here in the U.S.. I realize sold and imported are very different things. So first part of the mystery is how many did Toyota actually send here. Just how many 1958’s actually existed here in the US.? Reading through this book I found the answer.
How many early Land Cruisers were actually exported to the U.S.. from Japan in the early years.
1956 = 6 Land Cruisers (might be the ones sent to the military for testing at Aberdeen Proving Grounds.
1957 = 9 cars = 1 Land Cruiser
1958 = 703 cars = 38 Land Cruisers
1959 = 1,171 cars = 258 Land Cruisers
1960 = 316 cars = 191 Land Cruisers


See photos from book and translations below.
As you can see those book was originally printed in Japan in 1962 with U.S. export figures specifically. You can not get better data than that. I’m still translating the 350 pages so I will post more information as I find it. Hoping to see U.S. actual sales data

 

[Indygbd]

Toyota must have been sued for trademark infringement. The name “Jeep” was a registered trademark of the Willy’s Corporation. Judge ruled that Toyota must change the name. On June 29th, Toyota changed the “Jeep” name to “Land Cruiser”.

The book also states the only difference between the BJ25 and the FJ25 series Land Cruiser was the engine.

 

[Indygbd]

Saved

 

[Indygbd]

Saved

 

[scoobiedubes]

Interesting info! Is it also possible that the one in the museum was the first one imported, but not necessarily the earliest VIN?

 

[Indygbd]

Interesting info! Is it also possible that the one in the museum was the first one imported, but not necessarily the earliest VIN?

I don’t think so. Toyota built and stamped their frame numbers in order. Also, the one in the museum should be stamped 1958 on the data plate if it in fact it was imported in 1958 and sold in 1958. It could not have made it off the ship in 58 here in the U.S. or the data plate would have been stamped accordingly. I think it was built in 1958 with the other 38 exported to the U.S. Most likely the data plates were stamped when they arrived at port. So maybe exported from Japan in late 1958 and arrived here early 1959. That’s just a guess without finding more supporting data.

 

[JohnnyC]

from the BJ Jeep thread:
News article from July 3, 1954

 

[Indygbd]

from the BJ Jeep thread:
News article from July 3, 1954
View attachment 2222460

That makes sense then considering on June 29th Toyota changed the name. Very cool. I love piecing information together. I’m hoping with other early books I have we can piece more together for future collectors. I don’t really care who’s was first sold, ect. Just want to get to the bottom of it and make sense out of it all.

 

[JohnnyC]

I often wondered about the true import totals.... thats what those are... the 6 in 56' could very well be the ones sent to Aberdeen as well as the ones used by executives trying to establish a base in USA

from data thread
08/25/1957 Sample exportation of the Crown to America.
10/31/1957 Toyota motor sales USA corporation (the American Toyota) establishment.


all those that were not sold in the year they were imported were sold in later years... sometimes many years alter... why we see 58's sold in 60'

 

[JohnnyC]

it could really be these as well:
11/1956 Exports to Puerto Rico commenced with six Land Cruisers


EDIT: more I think about it.... its most likely these
PR = USA territory

they sent troop truck to aberdeen as well and those would be listed .... not as lc's

 

[Indygbd]

It looks like Toyota has a party on July 10th at the Beverly Hills Hotel Crystal Room. The event had a Red Crown, White station wagon, and 1 Green Land Cruiser. It states the inspector general was there, City mayors and businessmen, actors, bankers, and corporate bankers were all present. In all, 700 people attended the event. Media reported Toyota invests $1 Million to launch U.S. Sales.

The book also states that on June 4th, 30 Crowns left the Nagoya Port heading to the U.S.. That was Toyota’s first full fledged journey to the U.S..

 

[Indygbd]

it could really be these as well:
11/1956 Exports to Puerto Rico commenced with six Land Cruisers


EDIT: more I think about it.... its most likely these
PR = USA territory

they sent troop truck to aberdeen as well and those would be listed .... not as lc's

That’sa great point. I bet you’re right.

 

[JohnnyC]

Notable dates for shipments around 56-59 USA info in bold

1956 February ... Exports to Venezuela commenced with two Land Cruisers
1956 August ... Toyota exhibits large trucks and Land Cruiser at Uruguay Farm Equipment Expo
1956 October ... Bogota Representative Office opened in Colombia (closed in March 1963)
11/1956 Exports to Puerto Rico commenced with six Land Cruisers
04/1957 The first exportation of Crown and the like to Ethiopia.
04/1957... Exports to Peru commenced with six Land Cruisers
08/25/1957 Sample exportation of the Crown to America.
10/31/1957 In America the Toyota motor sales
01/09/1958 Crown and Land cruiser exhibits at Los Angeles import automobile show.
07/10/1958 American Toyota Business starts.
1958 December ... Toyota exhibits Crown on Latin American Trade Exhibition Ship
1959 July ... Exports to Mexico commenced with one Crown and one Land Cruiser

 

[JohnnyC]

The book also states that on June 4th, 30 Crowns left the Nagoya Port heading to the U.S.. That was Toyota’s first full fledged journey to the U.S..

must be these :08/25/1957 Sample exportation of the Crown to America.

 

[JackA]

Awesome info. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Indygbd]

Interesting enough Toyota did not list truck sales in their historical sales history chart that I have.
See below.
I also found info on Toyota Dealer network in the U.S. by years below.

 

[whitey45]

Very cool data Gabe, always thought there were more. The one I found here 20 years ago had the round speedo, so I would think it was a 58? I think museums are proud when they can say (1st one imported!) even though many are not!

 

[scoobiedubes]

Very nice sleuthing! Great thing about this is now we don’t have to worry about a book getting lost. The internet is forever.... presumably

 

[Indygbd]

Very nice sleuthing! Great thing about this is now we don’t have to worry about a book getting lost. The internet is forever.... presumably

This is a pretty cool book. Anything that is rare, has original stats, and pertains to Land Cruisers will end up in the museum someday. Hopefully they have a library there with research material and can add my stuff to their collection.

 

[cruiserdan]

This is a pretty cool book. Anything that is rare, has original stats, and pertains to Land Cruisers will end up in the museum someday. Hopefully they have a library there with research material and can add my stuff to their collection.

Yes, we are building library.