Bulk Transport Since 1950'
Custom Truck Builds  & Landscaping Yard

Build completed in 2024

Toyota has a rich history in Australia dating back to the early 1950s, when several commercial Toyota vehicles were imported on a small scale.

However, things really kicked off for Toyota in 1958 when the Thiess Brothers imported the sturdy and reliable Toyota Land Cruiser to Australia for the first time, to back up heavy machinery on the Snowy Mountains Hydro-Electric Scheme. Toyota Motor Corporation gave Thiess the task of importing Toyota light commercial vehicles to Australia whilst AMI took cover of passenger cars.

Following the purchase of this red Toyota FJ45 in 1961, it was up to Warren’s father Rex to drive the Toyota safely to its new home at their Station located in the Flinders Ranges. Prior to making it back to the Station, he was forced to camp on the bank of a creek which was flooded, restricting access only 5km from the Homestead.

That journey to the Homestead from the dealership would be the last time that the Toyota would see a bitumen road for 64 years - in which time, the ignition key was not removed from the switch!

It was used as a Station vehicle doing general run around type jobs replacing the existing land rovers. Two Aboriginal bush mechanics (the Ryan brothers) later fitted a winch and a pipe rack which gave the ability to carry 2” column pipes to use as the bore pulling vehicle. Due to the weight of the 21-foot-long pipes now being carried, its rear springs were upgraded to handle the extra weight. It was this task that led to the vehicle being referred to on the Station as the Windmill truck.

When the Toyota was delivered from the factory it was fitted with a 3-speed column shift manual, the 4WD was activated by a mechanical pull out button on the dash and the low range was selected using an additional manual lever protruding from the centre of the dash. This was soon converted (to a 3-speed floor shift arrangement that it is now) when two non-English speaking Japanese mechanics came to Australia as part of Toyota’s research and development team. Their task was to dis-assemble the vehicle down to the last nut and bolt to see what components had been showing signs of premature wear and review areas that needed improvement to withstand Australian conditions for future models. The vehicle was then re-assembled and put back to use on the Station for many years to come.

Fast forward to 2022, we were contacted by Warren Fargher, who gave us the opportunity to restore the vehicle to its former glory, and on the 26th of September 2023 it was retrieved, and brought back to our workshop where the restoration would take place.

The vehicle was run, tested and evaluated to minimise any surprises later in the build. The brakes were as useful as an inflatable dart board, the window and door rubbers perished, the unique window slide mechanisms were worn out, the timber tray was held together with hopes and dreams, and this was just to name a few of the things in need of desperate attention.

The Toyota was stripped back, revealing the original and more unique red paint that had been disguised by a somewhat mundane white in its place. The original red colour was matched from this. Thankfully there was a good sample of the original ‘cinnamon’ upholstery colour on the inside of the seats which Steve and Heather of Stateside Trim used their skills to find a very close match (Steve then used his expertise and brought the seats back to life).

Fortunately, due to the dry environment the Toyota had spent its life in, there was minimal rust in the body. But on the flip side, the rugged roads, tracks and probably lack thereof, had taken their toll over the years leaving the vehicle with fatigue and stress that needed to be addressed.

A shopping list was written, and replacement parts were ordered where possible, and those that weren’t, were repaired or re-manufactured in house. The team at Kuchels, rejuvenated the vehicle very close to what it would have been on the day Rex began his journey back to the Homestead from the dealership… aside from the floor shift and some road tyres more suitable for on road use and ‘comfort’…

What was left of the timber tray was given to Juncken joinery where Jason proved he was the man for the job and rebuilt a new timber tray as per the original would have been from new. It was then returned to Kuchels to trial fit to the Toyota prior to final paint and assembly.

The assembly was soon completed, road tested and registration re-instated. The owners were given the call to let them know their Toyota was ready to begin its retirement in a much less stressful and hard-working environment. You are more likely to come across it on a laid-back Sunday drive than carrying farm equipment on a dirt track and, unlike during its time on the station, it is certain the Toyota will not be found unattended with the key in the ignition.