I own the beige one. The green one belongs to JTO on the east coast. Picture I have of that one back east came in a personal email do not feel right posting here. When the Miller Group purchased Proffitt's shop in Colorado and moved to it to Utah I was in contact with the person running that shop. Mentioned my 76 to keep and was told the museum was not currently expanding. Wasn't trying to sell it. I had four FJ25s at that time and mentioned those as well. May have thought I was trying sell those which I wasn't. That was obviously years ago. But just seem the least bid interested in the 76 with full time 4WD. The picture with sheet over it is how it sits now. Actually in a good climate to preserve it.
Joe still has his, he's not had it out in years. He is going to get me some clearer photos tomorrow. He thinks the shift panel was factory produced (no clue who actually made those for Toyota) but called the other parts 'more experimental'. I'm excited to see some closer pics.
I'm guessing you would have been talking to Onur or Kyle if it was post Proffits move to SLC?
To be fair, it's likely still not something we would be interested in for the museum (personal opinion and I'm just one of a handul of board members fwiw). I suppose if it were fully/authentically restored or better yet a full super clean survivor (has an aux tank installed yeah?) and there was some way to less anecdotally link the connection to Toyota... it would definitely be something to consider.
More than the Cruiser itself, I'd love to know more about @lcwizard ability to run an early ID plate, that information would be gold for tracking frame numbers to actual full model codes and more importantly low volume builds, FST numbers, etc.
What would you expect to see on a VIN plaque for a custom build? Only thing not normal for an FJ40 is the M42 transmission. Has A pillar plaque and serial number puts the production in the month on the A pillar plaque.
The "M42" is exactly what I'd love to see. Is it a custom build or a factory build? That's what I'm trying to get to the bottom of
Either way, super fun subject to dig into and I appreciate your replies. Now if we could just figure out if Malleus has a 3rd known full-time prototype model and his would he much later than yours and JT's as it's a 1977.