DOUBLE TAKE

THIS EXPEDITION-READY LANDCRUISER IS NOT WHAT IT SEEMS AT FIRST GLANCE.

- MATT RAUDONIKIS

IT SEEMS that no matter where you are in the world, you always want something you can’t have. It’s the automotive ‘grass is always greener on the other side’ envy for vehicles that aren’t readily available to us. For Australians it might be the new Ford Bronco or Colorado ZR2 that you are hankering for from the USA, or some sort of exotic sports car available exclusively in Europe.

For the Americans, there’s always a touch of auto envy when we start talking about and showing pictures of the LandCruiser 70 Series that are so popular here in Australia. The 70s have never been openly available in the USA, although plenty have found their way in through private channels. In many states of the USA there is a rule that allows the importation of vehicles 25 years and older, so many older Cruiser are finding their way across the Pacific now, but they still can’t buy a new one.

So what’s the deal with this left-hand-drive LandCruiser 79 double-cab wearing New Mexico plates? On first glance it looks like a current model LC79 that has been stretched and fitted with a camper on the back, but all is not what it appears with this rig.

“I love LandCruisers, especially the 70 Series,” says Albuquerque, NM resident Tim McGrath. “This truck checked all the boxes for me.”

As we know, it’s one thing to love a vehicle but another to be able to get one in a country where it isn’t allowed. Luckily for Tim, German expedition company Maltec has a solution for Cruiser-loving Americans.