In vintage and collector car circles as well as in enthusiasts’ conversations you hear the words spoken so many times they lose their context: “Time Capsule,” “Survivor,” “Unicorn.”  I am not going to tell you that this truck is any of these, no. This truck is a museum piece. This truck is a collector’s item. It is 30 years old, never restored, original, and yet it looks and feels as if it just rolled off the assembly line. It also drives like it just rolled off the assembly line. The suspension is tight (it still has the original shock absorbers and bushings, and you can see the paint markings on the suspension from when it was put together at the factory), and the engine idles smooth and pulls strong. The transmission shifts perfectly and like butter. The transfer case works flawlessly-in hi and lo range 2 and 4 wheel drive. There are no oil leaks, everything works as it should, and the truck feels perfect. I mean sure, you could knock it down and pick it apart-it’s a 22R, carburated (one of the last); not a 22R-E or 22R-TE; It has independent front suspension (one of the first), not a solid axle; it’s a single cab, not an extended cab (who cares?); it isn’t ALL original (sure there was a tastefully done repair to the seat upholstery, and a dash cap added). But this truck is absolutely flawless. And it is a 30 year old truck that is exactly like new. How many 30 year old vehicles can you say that about? And why not preserve them and appreciate them-especially when it comes to the iconic Toyota “small pickup.” This is one of the ones that started a phenomenon and why Toyota’s reputation for stellar trucks that represent value in the form of incredible reliability, durability, and amazing build quality has become well-deserved. This truck is one of a kind.

Price: Auction

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Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States