John Lyons?

[overton]

Any of you guys know John Lyons? He moved to Chicago area some time ago - I am buying a Cruiser he used to own and would love to talk with him about it. Here's an old post of his.

1. NAME: JOHN LYONS
2. LOCATION: WILMETTE, IL
3. TOYOTA 4x4 VEHICLES: 78 FJ40
4. MODIFICATIONS: EMU SUSPENSION, UNDERCARRIAGE COAT, STOCK 2F REBUILT IN 01.
5. WHEELING EXPERIENCE: NOTHING SIGNIFICANT. USED AS WEEKEND TRAVELER TO FISH IN TX HILL COUNTRY AND PARK OUTSIDE OF GENERAL STORE.

MY CURRENT FJ40 IS MY SECOND. FIRST WAS A MESS 75FJ40. THIS NEW ONE HAS A HISTORY BEFORE THE REBUILD IN 00. A GUY BY THE NAME OF "WILD BILL" ALLEGEDLY TRAVELED TO 49 STATES, INCLUDING ALASKA, IN THIS CRUISER. THE TRIP TOOK HIM THE BETTER PART OF 3 YEARS AND HE ALLEGEDLY STAYED IN A HOMEBUILT CAMPER ATTACHED ON THE ROOF TO SLEEP AT NIGHT. I USE THE TERM ALLEGEDLY BECAUSE THE STORY DID COME FROM A GUY CALLED WILD BILL.

 

[chitown40]

I work in Wilmette and have seen several FJ40s around town over the past 12-13 years or so. Do you have more of a description or a picture of what you're buying?

Also, if you whitepages.com John Lyons in Wilmette, you may only get one good valid result with a 251-???? phone number. You might want to give that number a call and take a shot its the same guy.

 

[overton]

From what I gather, John sold this Dune Beige 78 (originally Mustard) Cruiser to the current owner back in 2003. I did check the White Pages and I came up with one "John Lyons" but he was the wrong guy. It's always a quest to find the old owners. John's info on Cool Cruisers says he bought it from someone known as "Wild Bill" who drove it all over the country and I heard even to South America. Here's the truck back when John got it and today (with a soft top). Current owner replaced the rear quarters and got rid of the flares. I DO know Daniel at Wimberly 4x4 did rebuild the engine back in 2001.

Wonder where that bull bar went? I will have to flip that bezel!

 

[chitown40]

Unfortunately, that was not one of the 40s I've seen around town. Suprisingly, there are quite a few passing through since a lot of the rich folk here have nice car collections.

There was a sweet FJ45 pickup in desert dune with colorado plates here for several years... I think it was owned by a custom builder in town building high-end homes. There's also a sweet FJ43 living in town as well.

Good luck with the purchase.

 

[jilyons01]

Any of you guys know John Lyons? He moved to Chicago area some time ago - I am buying a Cruiser he used to own and would love to talk with him about it. Here's an old post of his.

1. NAME: JOHN LYONS
2. LOCATION: WILMETTE, IL
3. TOYOTA 4x4 VEHICLES: 78 FJ40
4. MODIFICATIONS: EMU SUSPENSION, UNDERCARRIAGE COAT, STOCK 2F REBUILT IN 01.
5. WHEELING EXPERIENCE: NOTHING SIGNIFICANT. USED AS WEEKEND TRAVELER TO FISH IN TX HILL COUNTRY AND PARK OUTSIDE OF GENERAL STORE.

MY CURRENT FJ40 IS MY SECOND. FIRST WAS A MESS 75FJ40. THIS NEW ONE HAS A HISTORY BEFORE THE REBUILD IN 00. A GUY BY THE NAME OF "WILD BILL" ALLEGEDLY TRAVELED TO 49 STATES, INCLUDING ALASKA, IN THIS CRUISER. THE TRIP TOOK HIM THE BETTER PART OF 3 YEARS AND HE ALLEGEDLY STAYED IN A HOMEBUILT CAMPER ATTACHED ON THE ROOF TO SLEEP AT NIGHT. I USE THE TERM ALLEGEDLY BECAUSE THE STORY DID COME FROM A GUY CALLED WILD BILL.

Just came across this thread while reminiscing about the FJ I had to sell. I’m 11 years late responding, sorry about that. I am THE John Lyons who originally posted about the ‘78 Dune Beige FJ40. Lots of great history with the FJ. Happy to answer any questions!