Land Cruiser: 60 years young
The Land Cruiser helped to establish Toyota's reputation for reliability in all its models as well as the brand itself in new markets around the world; it has seen service in an astonishing 188 countries.
The newest models crackle with the latest technology. So happy birthday, Land Cruiser, may you never stop exploring.
Click on a year to start travelling through time
1951
Land Cruiser BJ
Toyota's prototype Land Cruiser was designed for use by the Japanese police force and the American army in the Korean War. With its name stemming from the firm's B-type engine and improvements on the US Army Jeep, the BJ was test driven over 8,000ft up Mount Fuji, farther than any four-wheel drive had been before. The police top brass were duly impressed.
Television
In June 1951 the first US colour TV broadcast took place. While 12 million TV sets were in existence, only 40 or so could actually receive CBS colour. 1951 also saw the first ever coast-to-coast telecast by President Truman and the premiere of iconic sitcom I love Lucy in black and white. Despite the innovation, it was the mid-60s before colour TV really caught on.
Sputnik 2
Aboard Sputnik 2, Huskie-mix Laika was the Soviet space dog that became the first animal to orbit the Earth, paving the way for human space flight. However, she was also the first animal to die in orbit and her death sparked debates around the world about animal rights.
1960
Land Cruiser 40
The third generation of Land Cruiser (named in 1954), and arguably the most iconic - the 40 series - was launched in the 1960s. Tough, capable and popular, it remained in production for nearly a quarter of a century. By 1965, global production exceeded 50,000 vehicles and the Land Cruiser was the best selling Toyota in the US.
Martin Luther King, Jr
The Baptist minister and African-American civil rights activist had a dream to end racial segregation in the deeply divided United States of the 1960s. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his work to end racial discrimination using non-violent means that was in line with the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi. He is often regarded as a modern American hero.
The Beatles 1964
Liverpool's Fab Four took the world by storm as part of the Brit Invasion and remain one of the most commercially successful and well-known bands in history. "Beatlemania" gripped both sides of the Pond as thousands of hysterical fans surrounded them at concerts, hotels and on the road. The best-selling band in the world came to embody much of the social and cultural revolution that took place in the swingin' Sixties.
1980
Land Cruiser 60
Available from 1981 to 1987, the newest Land Cruiser model stayed true to the more rugged, off-road character of its forebears, but with added comforts such as air conditioning and a higher-quality interior. The 60 was well-known for its off-road prowess, but also appealed to the fledgling SUV market with its increased bells and whistles.
Mrs Thatcher
The Iron Lady came to power in 1979 as the UK's first woman prime minister and remained in the post until her resignation in 1990. Mrs Thatcher's sweeping reforms, including the selling off of many state-owned companies and her tough stance against labour unions polarised opinions, but she remained a close ally of US President Ronald Regan.
Pac-Man
An electronic icon of the 1980s, the hungry yellow star of the immensely popular arcade game was the original gaming mascot and inspired a seemingly endless stream of merchandise, a cartoon and even a hit single. Pac-Man remains the highest grossing video game of all time and is one of only three such games on display at The Smithsonian museum.
Star Wars
Perhaps the biggest movie phenomenon of all time, and the third-highest grossing film series at the box office, Luke Skywalker and the motley cast of aliens captivated audiences throughout the early 1980s. Characters from the epic science fiction franchise like Princess Leia and Han Solo became household names and remain fancy dress favourites to this day.
1996
Land Cruiser 100
The 90 series, known in the UK as the Colorado, was joined in 1998 by the 100 series, the Amazon. They established today's two-model line up of Land Cruiser and Land Cruiser V8, updated in 2009 and 2008 respectively.
Dolly the sheep
"The world's most famous sheep" sparked a highly publicised debate that pitted morals against scientific advancement, and debates raged about researchers "playing God" in the lab. As for the sheep's name, the cell used to clone Dolly was taken from a mammary gland, leading cloning scientist Ian Wilmut to quip: "We couldn't think of a more impressive pair of glands than Dolly Parton's."
Nelson Mandela
After decades of imprisonment during Apartheid in South Africa, Nelson Mandela became the country's first black president in what was also the first fully representative, interracial democratic election. The world held its breath as Mandela advocated reconciliation over violence and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his peaceful negotiations, which brought an end to white minority rule.
Comet Hale-Bopp
The great comet of 1997" and the brightest seen for decades burst into the heavens in 1996. Stargazers could see it easily with the naked eye for nearly a year and a half, as in shone brighter than any star except Sirius. As the internet grew in popularity, websites charted its progress, and members of the Heaven's Gate cult even believed a UFO was following the comet.
2005
Land Cruiser Dakar
Standard, unmodified Toyota Land Cruisers entered the first Paris-Dakar off-road race in 1979, an event they would come to dominate and which helped seal their tough reputation. Land Cruisers finished first and second three years running from 1998, and in 2005 capped their career with an unprecedented 1-2-3 finish.
Charles and Camilla
The The climax of a controversial romance that followed a long and highly publicised affair, the Prince of Wales tied the knot with Camilla Parker Bowles in a civil ceremony in Windsor. As future queen, Camilla has faced great scrutiny and comparison with Charles's first wife, the enormously popular Diana.
Pope Benedict
For the first time in more than 26 years a new Pope, Benedict XVI, took the reins at the Vatican, succeeding the popular John Paul II. As the papal conclave met in the Sistine Chapel, thousands filled St Peter's Square and millions more watched on television. The puff of white smoke rising from the historic chimney would signal the selection of a new pontiff.
Tiger Woods
Having already regained the number one spot in the world and wowing the golfing world, 29-year-old Woods' victory at The Open Championship made him the third-youngest player in history to win 10 career majors. With his return to form, the superstar topped the PGA money list for the sixth time in his career and would dominate the sport for years.
2011
What the experts are saying about the new Land Cruiser
Car Magazine
'The Toyota Land Cruiser has a peerless reputation for toughness and reliability.'
Top Gear
'Short of something armoured, nothing will get you as far into, and more importantly out of, a hostile place than a Toyota 4x4.'
Autocar Magazine
'As a long-term ownership proposition, Toyota's legendary tough-build quality means it's second to none. If you're in search of the genuine article, this is it.'
What Car Magazine
'The only word to describe the driving position is commanding. You sit way above saloons, so the view is superb'
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