Stock Number: 4548

Built to conquer rugged terrain around the globe, the Land Cruiser is one of the most complete sport utilities ever produced. The 70 series is abundantly capable, and the body four-door variants are universally loved for their styling and spacious interiors. This 1993 Prado is finished in a one-off Midnight Black and offered with only 146K verified miles. The body is in good shape other than some small chips and dings, and the slab-sided styling is complemented by a set of aftermarket alloys with new rubber and a few chrome accents. Boasting the most durable and powerful engine ever shoehorned into the 78, this Land Cruiser is a certified Japanese Classic and drives even better than it looks!

The interior has been upgraded several times during the 78's production, but this iteration is surprising with how much equipment is actually included. The cabin reminds you of a vehicle from the '90s, instead of a two-decade-old farm truck. A massive power sunroof is complemented by power windows and door locks. An adjustable column allows the driver to get more comfortable behind the wheel, and he or she has access to all the audio and climate controls within arms reach. The factory audio has been switched out to a touch-screen Clarion unit that works as it should (within reason.) The gauges are all easy to read and the controls are similar to any other Toyota we import. Additional storage can be found in a glovebox and center console. Like some of the interior plastics, the console is faded and the dash does have some cracks we would like to note. The headliner is clean and properly upholstered as are the door cards which match the cloth used for the seats. Although the Prado is dwarfed by the 80 series Cruisers that were produced concurrently, they do have third-row jump seats in addition to the rear bench. Those units like the rest of the seats are in good nick and lack any major rips, stains, or tears. The material itself is pretty stylish and is gray with swatches or purple to break up the design.

The platform itself dates back to the 1970s, but this 1993 features the bulletproof 1KT-ZE turbodiesel. Even at 3.0L the Prado still manages decent fuel economy, but the torque output is addicting. Benefitting from two new 12V batteries and an oil and filter service, the large four-banger fires up with a twist of the key. What the mill lacks in refinement it makes up in grunt, and the Prado actually moves out of its own way with ease. The TEMS adjustable factory suspension provides proper rebound over large and small bumps and the steering is light and easy to articulate. Power is sent to all four wheels through an automatic gearbox, which shifts as it should. Gear reductions can be performed if you get stuck in the muck, but the Bridgestone's Dueller's have plenty of treads to dig in for grip in less than ideal conditions.

The best of both worlds, the Land Cruiser Prado has old-school looks backed by a modern drivetrain and appointments. They are fun to drive, inexpensive to own, and will be highly collectible in the years to come!

*California Residents: In order to register a Grey Market vehicle in the state of California then it will have to be made CARB complaint first. CARB certifications will have to be performed within the state. Depending on the vehicle and any existing modifications will affect the pricing. Typically CARB compliance will range between 5-10K. Additional information can be found on the California Air Resources Board website.