It isn’t clear how long this 1979 Toyota Hilux has been parked in this barn, but the coating of dust suggests that it has been quite a while. The seller states that it is a one-owner vehicle, and he appears to be in a hurry to part with this classic pickup. After initially listing it at $7,000, he has now slashed the price to $4,750. The Hilux is located in Tampa, Florida, and has been listed for sale here on Facebook.

The Medium Blue Hilux has been rolled out of the barn and treated to a wash. With that done, what we find is a relatively tidy survivor. The paint has a good shine, and I suspect that a polish would make this pickup pop. Even the pinstriping looks to be in good condition. This can tend to curl at the edges, which can make it look shabby. That doesn’t seem to be the case with this one. The panels appear to be straight, and there are no signs of any rust problems. I think that the Hilux might have had a light hit on the front because the front bumper and headlight surround look to be slightly damaged on the passenger side. It appears as though there is a chip in the center of the windshield. However, all of these are minor problems that would be easy to address.

The interior of the Toyota is serviceable, but it isn’t as nice as the exterior. The rubber mat has gone off the floor, but at least it gives us a chance to check for rust. There are some spots of surface corrosion on the floor, but no visible penetrating rust. The dash has a cover over it, so it isn’t clear whether it has cracked. The seat cover has been replaced, and the door trims, along with some of the plastic pieces, are showing some deterioration. Given the condition of the exterior, I would be inclined to treat the interior to a bit of a refresh. We don’t get any information on the mechanical condition of the vehicle, but it is probably fitted with the 2,189cc 4-cylinder 20R engine that would produce around 90hp. We do know that this is backed by a 3-speed automatic transmission. This combination is not going to make the Hilux a rocket but should make it a pleasant vehicle to drive in heavy city traffic. The owner doesn’t indicate whether the pickup runs, or if the engine even turns freely. However, these 20R engines are as tough as old nails, so if it does spin freely, getting it running might not be a difficult task.

The 3rd Generation of the Hilux cemented its reputation for indestructibility. I have seen 20R versions clock more than 300,000 miles without having a spanner laid on them. This one shows a lot of promise, and the substantial price drop suggests a seller who is motivated to move this vehicle on. Finding tidy examples today that haven’t lived a hard life is becoming increasingly difficult. That means that if you are in the market for a classic Japanese pickup, this is one that could be worth a closer look.