The Toyota Land Cruiser may not have the brand cache of a Land Rover but it does at least have superior reliability. The Australians love the Land Cruiser, they have a saying. Drive into the Outback in a Land Rover and return in a Toyota Land Cruiser. Most Land Cruisers are driven into the ground and back again. However, an online auction in California recently sold a 1994 example for $136,000, an unheard-of price for any Land Cruiser new or old.

The simple reason is that this particular 1994 Toyota Land Cruiser had no more than 1,000 miles on the clock. In addition, the exterior and interior are in original showroom condition. It is a pristine snapshot of what our ancient ancestors were driving back in the year of 1994. Unsurprisingly it is still in as new roadworthy condition. The original owner drove it for 1,000 miles and then put it into his collection.

Powering this particular example is a 212bhp, 4.5-litre straight-six engine which has 373 NM of torque (275 lb-ft). Power is fed to all four wheels via a 4-speed automatic and two-speed transfer box. Of course, it is equipped with front and rear locking differentials for that all-terrain usability. 

The equipment list isn’t as comprehensive as a current-day Land Cruiser but in 1994 power-operated sunroofs, and air conditioning did exist. The Land Cruiser brand is being discontinued in the USA. This lack of availability added with a transition to electric cars means that even a 27-year-old Land Cruiser has still got it.