Best One Left? 1981 Toyota Hilux Pickup
It is a brave individual who claims that the classic they own is the best non-restored example in existence. However, that is the claim made by the seller about this 1981 Toyota Hilux Pickup. There’s no disputing its overall presentation, and if it is an original survivor, it has spent its life being treated respectfully. It is set to head to a new home, with the seller listing it here on Craigslist in Worcester, Massachusetts. They have set their price at $19,900, and I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Mitchell G. for spotting this Japanese gem.
Toyota introduced its Third Generation Hilux Pickup in late 1978, with that Generation remaining in production until 1983. It sold up a storm, and its bulletproof drivetrain helped to cement the Pickup’s reputation as a reliable and accomplished workhorse or off-roader. This 1981 example doesn’t look like it has operated in either role because its presentation is virtually flawless. Its paint shines beautifully, cloaking panels that are laser straight. The decals look crisp, while the bumpers and trim are spotless. The seller doesn’t mention rust issues, and there are no apparent problems in the supplied photos. These classics weren’t renowned for corrosion problems, and the lack of visible deterioration in areas like the engine bay gives cause for quiet optimism. The Pickup features a sunroof for additional fresh air, and the original glass is flawless.
It took me a while, but I have finally spotted a genuine flaw with this Pickup. The cloth upholstery on the driver’s seat base has a developing split, but it isn’t bad. It is possible that a competent upholsterer could repair it, although the new owner could invest approximately $500 on a new set of seatcovers to push the interior’s overall presentation to perfection. The remaining upholstered surfaces are spotless, as are the dash, pad, and floormat. There is no evidence of crumbling plastic and no aftermarket additions. It isn’t loaded with options, but the factory radio works as it should.
The engine bays of vehicles of this type is usually the area that tells the true story of their life. This one is spotless, with no signs of fluid leaks or corrosion. It houses the 2.4-liter 22R four-cylinder powerplant, which sends 97hp and 128 ft/lbs of torque to the road via a four-speed manual transmission and a dual-range transfer case. Neither figure sounds particularly impressive, but these classics are a surprise packet. A friend of mine owned an identical vehicle, and its abilities off-road and on sandy beaches were extremely impressive. Nothing seemed to stop it, and it would cruise happily at 70mph once it returned to the open road. The listing indicates this classic has 62,000 miles on the clock, but the seller doesn’t mention supporting evidence. It runs and drives perfectly, starts easily, and has no known mechanical issues or problems. This Pickup is ready to transport its next owner into a life of adventure.
The seller describes this Toyota Hilux Pickup as the closest anyone will get to owning a new example produced in 1981. Its presentation is hard to fault, and history shows that these are among the most robust and indestructible vehicles to ply our roads. The listing indicates an odometer reading of 62,000 miles, and if that is accurate, this fantastic survivor should offer its new owner years of reliable service. The price isn’t cheap, but nor is it unprecedented. Therefore, if you seek a vehicle that will transport you deep into the wilderness and return you home safely, this 1981 Toyota could be the ideal choice.
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Comments
Beautiful truck and not too far from my home. I wonder if the sun roof is an aftermarket addition or did it come that way from the factory.
More like Lolux. These were spartan, but pure. Pure as gold. 19k is a bit rich for me but there are few left as these were very susceptible to the tin worm, like many Japanese cars of the era.
Nice.
Sorry best not nicest
nice color choice (not oem), good upholstry, fine rest0.
I like em for the single thickness box’n square lines. Get em w/5 speed even if 4WD. Nxt gen the TE (turboed) had even more HP.
Not restored according to the article. Color is OEM.
Well, yes and no( nicest one left) Depending on your region, specifically the northern region, then yes. In my area, (Co.) I see pristine examples of these regularly. It’s pretty obvious, the seller did nothing that this truck was made for, for whatever reason. I had construction buddies, that literally trashed these, with a combination road salt and just the nature of the job, were tough on trucks. Most bought another, they were just that good. Not that the S-10 and Ranger weren’t, it’s just Toyota was this anti-American buzz word that everybody P.O’d at America just had to have. Maybe as retaliation for the Pinto/Vega, or some other short term American blunder, but I say they were no better and I stuck with USA brands. Nice find, I wouldn’t pay $20gs for this even with $15grand in the box.( in small unmarked bills) I just don’t understand what value is these days, and nothing reminds me more how out of whack things are,, than right here..
I wouldn’t call the Pinto a “short term blunder” , they were a decent economy car with a dependable engine that was easy to maintain. That and the fact they had a good run from 71-80 and sold a lot of them says a lot. The Vega ? not so much.
Nobody I know ever bought an import because they were PO’d at America ; they bought them for three reasons- they were cheap, dependable and they got great gas mileage.
And you’re right, in the rust belt areas, these ( and all Asian cars) dissolved in water faster than an tablet of Alka Seltzer , so seeing one like this brings back memories
Hi bone, again,,,TO BE CLEAR,,,I personally never said the Pinto was a bad car, but in automotive history, it wasn’t the best. It was a hastily configured car built with parts from England, in a knee-jerk reaction to the invading imports. It took a while for us to catch up, but by then, the imports had “done their damage”, and whether you want to admit it or not, DECIMATED our auto industry, an industry we depended on as a country, so much, we never recovered.
re: reasons
1st, the Gremlin undercut the then cheapest import, the VW bug, by $75 dollars. We did take it in the shorts as far the other reasons, but we gave up a lot for that gas mileage, and the Pinto was a great car, a motor that had great success, like you say, the Vega not so much, but the Chevette was a good car too, but lived in the shadow of the Vega, and didn’t have a chance, imports were here to stay.
I say “short term blinder”, of which there have been many, including the era we are in now, but I stuck with America, through thick and thin, buy American whenever I can, and always felt, and still do, import buyers “jumped ship” on America, and partially why we are in such a jam today. My old man wasn’t too far off, I’m realizing.
I don’t want to start an import war, I think these are the best vehicles, and I can’t live in the past, it does nothing.
Another Colorado boy here and I am 100 % with you. I would offer $7,500 for it.
You can find nicer examples of these in California Nevada and Arizona. It’s way over priced.
Hi Tom, to quote the great, and aging Joe Walsh,,( ahem) “‘Cause the Rocky Mountain way, is better than the way we had”,,:)
I like the trucks. They may have their rust issues but these little trucks can basically outperform the domestic trucks like the Ranger and S10. These trucks with good care will outlast even today’s trucks. My Dad had one and it had 500K miles on the odometer. The bonus part about them is the solid axles with the round knuckle assembly. In my opinion solid axles will always be better than the cheap IFS setups.
This one must not have lived much of it’s life in Mass or it would be a rust bucket. I have seen too many of these rust away from the salty roads and giant potholes Massachusetts gifts it’s people.
Looks like a great truck but I’ll pass at that price.
Selling Toyotas back then was pretty easy, extremely reliable and capable. The base 4×4 sold for $6,998, SR-5′ were $8998.
The process to sell one was, you sold color, because Product was already sold. People knew any Toyota model was dependable.
Two models that I strayed from were the Starlet, Tercel. They just were entry cars that paid you $25.00 commission. The ones I loved selling was the Cressada and Celica Supras. Then in 1982-83 the Van and Camry.
But the trucks sold no matter what.
I have one even better.Mine is an 81 Diesel with 110000 miles on it.It is a 5 speed as well.Won’t do 100 mph in a quarter.Non turbo.Has not even had a water pump or anything else.If all vehicles were like this the mfg wouldn’t sell much.Mine is a west coast truck with the last 30 years in Las Vegas
I bought a very used, ’83, with +/- 140,000 miles. It had NOT been well taken care of, but seemed to run fine. Fugly, but filled my needs perfectly. Drove it 23 years, replaced the head gasket once. Did regular routine maintenance, myself. Decided I deserved a truck with AC, and a radio that displayed. Truck now had 160,000+ miles, and still ran like a clock. Sold it for the same price I paid for it. Hard to top that.
ooops, on my post. I put ANOTHER 160,000 miles on that truck (total was +/- 331,000, and like I said, still ran perferctly. Sorry about the confusing post.
A little older than my dream truck. The one in Back To The Future works likes Viagra for me.
Black 4×4 with a solid front axle 85 Xtra cab and I believe it had fuel injection. It’s been awhile since I saw the movie.
Bought a 1983 Special Edition “Mojave”. Special gold paint, tinted windows, cruise, air tilt, rims bumper and yes embroidery Mojave seat backrest! Only 3500 made. Oh yes oil and temp gauge console cluster. What was I thinking when I sold it. Best truck ever!!!
Great condition. Thanks for sharing. This (1981) is probably when Toyota secured the lead market on compact pick-ups. Especially 4wd. Well built, versatile, and reliable. The main competitors were Isuza (rebadged to Chevy LUV) and Mazda (rebadged to Ford Courier). Doesn’t matter what brand, all vehicles from that era rusted here in the “Rust Belt”. But what rusted the quickest were the beds installed here in North America in order to avoid the “chicken tax”. These were the wake up call to Ford and GM to produce the Ranger and the S10 which enter the market in ’82 & ’81. Top honors go to Mazda REPU ’74-’77 2wd & Toyota 3rd thru 5th generation ’78-’95. Later generations of Toyota (6th generation) got the tin worm in their frames. That is something I will not forgive Toyota for… Currently I have a Nissan Frontier built proudly in Tennessee USA.