A rare Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40, built in Brazil as the Bandeirante, has emerged for sale after an unusually tame 37-year existence. While most of these rugged vehicles are known for off-road adventures, this particular model spent nearly four decades exclusively towing luggage carts at a small regional airport.
The Airport Life
From 1989 until recently, the Mustard Yellow Bandeirante was stationed at Rubem Berta International Airport in Uruguaiana, Brazil. Operated by the federal airport authority Infraero, the vehicle’s job was simple: shuttle baggage between the terminal and aircraft. The monotony of this task kept the odometer at a remarkably low 33,986 kilometers (21,117 miles). The seller estimates that this equates to roughly 3 kilometers (1.8 miles) of daily use for three decades – a mere warm-up for a Land Cruiser designed to conquer continents.
The vehicle’s only modification from its factory condition is a mounting hole for an airport siren on the roof, a relic from its service. The original luggage trailer it towed has already been sold off at a government auction, leaving the Land Cruiser as the last piece of the operation.
A Diesel Heart From Mercedes
Despite its Japanese origins, the Brazilian Bandeirante houses a surprising engine under the hood. Instead of a Toyota-built motor, it runs on a 4.0-liter four-cylinder diesel sourced from Mercedes-Benz. The engine produces 89 horsepower (66 kW, 90 PS) and 195 lb-ft of torque, delivered to all four wheels via a four-speed manual gearbox.
Otherwise, the interior remains largely original, with only minor wear on the three-spoke steering wheel. The dashboard is still factory-spec, preserving the vehicle’s utilitarian charm.
A New Life Awaits
The Toyota is currently for sale in Brazil for €38,000 (approximately $41,100). The seller has offered to ship the vehicle to ports in North America, Europe, Japan, or Oceania, offering this former airport workhorse the chance to finally explore roads beyond the perimeter fence.
This Land Cruiser’s story highlights how even the most capable vehicles can lead incredibly specific, almost absurdly ordinary lives. It begs the question: how many other rugged machines are out there, hidden in niche roles, waiting for their chance at adventure?
