A Rare FJ-45 crew cab waits for the Malibu Surf Sets

So sometimes I have to find ways to clear out the cache on my brain and the easiest way is to take a ride down to Malibu for an hour of quiet beach watching.  Many of my readers don’t know much about me but I run a web design business with clients all over the world, I’m in a signed touring band that just got written about in Time Magazine, I am a professional photographer with some big clients, and I run this blog.  So sometimes a little “time out” is needed.

So of course while on the Pacific Coast Highway eating a fish taco, I spot an extremely rare Toyota FJ45 pull a U-Turn and park at a known surf spot. The taco dropped out of my mouth and I ran across the busy highway with nothing but my I-Phone in hand. I never seem to miss an opportunity.

How rare is rare? How about only four in existence?  The Toyota Banderante crew cab was one of four built for the Brazilian military about 12 years ago.  Apparently the famed 4×4 recondition outfit ‘Icon’ grabbed one of the Special Project FJ45 Crew Cabs in 2000, and offerred it for sale at one point. With 6400 miles, the truck has a 5.3-liter fuel-injected V-8 engine from General Motors and a four-speed automatic transmission with an FJ60 part-time 4×4 transfer case.  I can’t prove this was THE ICON number 4 but it fit the specs pretty close. The owner wouldn’t disclose any info on the vehicle.

This body style was never before offered in the USA. It was available for about six months if you lived in Brazil in 2000-2001 but apparently only four made? Please confirm if you have more information. In any instance, this is a super cool FJ and definitely a head turner for gear heads like myself.  I’m glad I could get some pics for you to see for yourself.

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