Tom Hanks' Modded Classic Land Cruiser Sells for $123,000
Built by Southern California's TLC 4x4, Tom Hanks' FJ40 Land Cruiser has been treated to top-notch restoratioj/modification work.
TLC Restomod for Tom Hanks
Modernizing classics such as the legendary FJ40 Land Cruiser with current performance and technology has become prevalent in this day and age. Though genuinely high-quality restomods aren't necessarily affordable for the average Joe. So the beautiful handy work of company's like Jonathan Ward's TLC 4x4 and ICON 4x4 are often reserved for high-profile clients, like actor Tom Hanks.
Photos: Bonhams
High-Level Restoration
The TLC 4x4 Land Cruiser build was commissioned by the well-known Hollywood mainstay. According to Jonathan Ward, the truck was built to the company's highest level of restoration at "stage three." The donor vehicle was taken apart, all the way down to nut and bolt, with the paint stripped for a fresh rebuild from the ground up.
>>Join the conversation about Tom Hank's FJ40 Land Cruiser right here in ClubLexus forum.
Updated Power and Drive
The original power source has been replaced with a GM L35 4.3-liter Vortec V6 unit. The power plant is capable of producing 180 horsepower from the factory. It is mated to a rare factory H55F Toyota five-speed transmission, as well as an "updated split-case 19-spline transfer case with the tail-mounted parking brake drum."
>>Join the conversation about Tom Hank's FJ40 Land Cruiser right here in ClubLexus forum.
Interior Comforts
On the inside, the original seats (also included with the truck) have been replaced with black high-back Porsche seats. Behind the driver and passenger seats, there are center-facing folding seats, in case extra passenger room is needed. Additional creature comforts have been added including air conditioning and Sony AM-FM-cassette stereo with extra speakers in the rear. Still rather bare-bones by today's standards!
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FJ enthusiast's FJ
The TLC 4x4 build maintains the FJ40's factory ride height, but with a highly improved suspension setup. It features Old Man Emu shocks and steering damper. The chromed factory correct wheels are wrapped in Toyo Open Country 31 x 10.50 R 15LT tires. The Bonhams auction listing indicated that this is an "FJ enthusiast's FJ." This means it has been driven the way it was meant to be, and thus shows some signs of wear.
>>Join the conversation about Tom Hank's FJ40 Land Cruiser right here in ClubLexus forum.
The Tom Hanks Connection
The hammer dropped on this auction during the Monterey Car Week celebrations last week, and Tom Hanks' Land Cruiser was sold for 123,200. The estimated value range was initially indicated between $75K and $125K. Which puts this sale close to the upper limits of the acceptable price for the truck. And we can only assume that the Hanks association will have had a hand in that. The man's autograph is one dashboard, after all!
>>Join the conversation about Tom Hank's FJ40 Land Cruiser right here in ClubLexus forum.