Some cars are purchased, driven for several years and then abandoned. Others come up with stories that transcend the road that they ride on. That’s what a Toyota Land Cruiser 200 Series from western Victoria has done, gaining national attention for driving a remarkable 1 million kilometres without the need to replace its original engine.
Gary Driscoll, a trusted stock agent from Nhill, Victoria, who used to travel thousands of kilometres a month to go to farms and rural properties all over the region, owns the well-travelled Toyota Land Cruiser. But year after year he used it, and even when the odometer rolled over into the six-figures, he kept using it, and sometimes, that’s the best way to keep it running.
The four-wheel-drive is now set for a new adventure – a trip to an online auction house – and now – after years of reliable service – people will compete to become its new owner, and the new owner of a vehicle that has become a motoring legend in Australia.
A Land Cruiser designed for long haul travel
1 million kilometers is quite an achievement even for passenger cars. With that achievement under the factory-installed engine, it’s even more notable.
The Land Cruiser has been serviced almost one hundred times during its service life, as reported by those who have kept the car. It has been mechanically sound all these years because of that consistent care, travelling around country highways, gravel roads and remote properties.
This four-wheel-drive had been driven mostly on open regional roads, as opposed to being driven through heavy traffic for much of its miles on the road. Driving long distances on the highway typically inflicts less stress on engines, transmissions and braking systems than continuous stop and go city driving, and with a well maintained vehicle, they can go a lot farther.
Stopping Just Short of History
Perhaps the most unusual decision made by Gary Driscoll was to not drive the last couple of hundred metres to reach the million kilometre milestone.
This little action has added another dimension of interest to the already interesting sale. It’s rare for any buyer to get to a milestone most motorists will never experience.
The number is interesting, but the unanswered question is more so. When the odometer hits the million-kilometre milestone, no one knows just what it will show. Some think it may be resetted to 0, others think it may just stay at 999,999. As long as nobody turns the key and drives those last couple of hundred metres, the mystery will go on.
Why the Auction Has Captured local Attention
There are many reasons why the Auction has captured the attention of people in Australia.
The upcoming Land Cruiser auction has caught the attention of a lot more than just Victoria’s west. To many buyers this is more than just buying a second-hand car, it’s an opportunity to own a bit of Australian motoring history.
Cars with incredible mileage numbers are not seen in the public eye very often. Most of them are sold, torn down and retired long before reaching these amazing statistics. This Toyota Land Cruiser has done just that, and it’s an achievement that not many modern cars can boast, as it continues to be roadworthy and has accumulated a story that is really quite remarkable.
Experts say, that mileage isn’t everything
The mileage on a vehicle is a factor that automotive experts agree will diminish the vehicle’s value, unless the mileage is extremely high. But this case isn’t the common type.
The Land Cruiser’s documented service history and original engine has been a talking point. This is clearly an important part in ensuring the reliability of the vehicle over the 70-year working life.
A Testament to Toyota’s Reputation
Toyota Australia has admitted that some of its cars have hit 1 million km, but the car is a rarity. Even a dealership that services Land Cruisers on a daily basis, rarely will they come across one with as much use, while still having the factory installed power train in the vehicle.
The narrative also serves to further explain why the Land Cruiser remains so popular amongst farmers, trades people, emergency services and long-distance travellers. Customers place their faith in these vehicles to last and experiences such as this help to uphold that reputation.
More than Numbers on an Odometer
While it’s easy to get caught up in the 7-digit milestone, it’s the other 7 figures that matter.
1 million kilometres is a long time of reliable service and many early mornings, long country drives and changes in season and years. It’s a sign of good car care, smart driving and a car designed to endure tough driving conditions day after day.