STEVE Irwin’s old Toyota Land Cruiser used by the Crocodile Hunter is going under the hammer.
The off road vehicle was used by everyone’s favourite crocodile wrangler while he was working at his zoo in Queensland and while he filmed for TV.
Irwin’s Toyota still features the original Crocodile Hunter decals[/caption]
The massive motor boasts a staggering 220 horsepower[/caption]
Vehicle specs
Powered by a 4.9 litre engine the HJ45 Troop Carrier is being auctioned off after 12 years in private hands.
The V8, 220 horsepower engine has taken the Land Cruiser across 258,133 miles, the equivalent of more than ten trips around the world.
With only 41,600 kilometres on the clock the auction description explains that the well-travelled motor has rolled over its odometer a whopping four times.
A two speed transfer case allows power to be pushed through all four wheels or just the two at the rear.
Irwin’s motor was purchased by a private owner from the Australia Zoo in 2013.
It still features the “crocodile hunter” decals across the bonnet and side panels.
Modifications
The motor features several modifications with the original 2H 4.0-litre straight-six replaced by a ford sourced 4.9 V8.
Irwin’s old Toyota also comes equipped with ute-sourced chassis parts, a huge aluminium bull bar, and 60-Series–sourced front seats.
It’s massive Ford engine drives either the rear wheels or all four wheels through a manual 4-speed transmission.
Room for improvement
The cruiser isn’t perfect though with the auctioneer pointing out several areas requiring work.
The new owner will have to contend with several spots of rust along with a few other issues.
It has had significant work done to it before going up for sale, the most recent maintenance was carried out in 2023 according to the seller.
Aside from basic maintenance works the Land Cruiser has had a new radiator, all the driveline oils and filters replaced and all the suspension bushes and shocks renewed.
The handbrake assembly has been replaced, the clutch master cylinder replaced, a gearbox mount replaced and a new fan belt, a new starter motor, and various electrical repairs.
Inside there is side facing seats leaving plenty of room to carry passengers[/caption]
The iconic car is currently selling online with bids closing on Monday, September 1[/caption]
It is unclear if the engine was replaced before or after Irwin bought the car[/caption]
The Auction
Located in Minyama, Australia, the Land Cruiser is currently accepting bids with the most recent coming in at $23,000 Australian Dollars or about £11,000.
There is still two days left on the bidding for the Crocodile Hunter’s motor which will close on Monday, September 1.
It was originally built in 1982 and served Irwin for much of his life, taking the TV star across the globe.
After Irwin’s tragic death in 2006 the motor was looked after by the zoo he ran with his wife until it was bought by the current seller in 2013.
The new owner will get a history booklet and a letter from Steve’s son Robert Irwin noting the vehicle’s provenance.
Steve Irwin
Stephen Robert Irwin (22 February 1962 – 4 September 2006) was known as “the Crocodile Hunter.”
He was an Australian zookeeper, conservationist, television personality, wildlife educator, and environmentalist.
He achieved international fame in the late 1990s from the television series The Crocodile Hunter, an internationally broadcast wildlife documentary series that he co-hosted with his wife, Terri.
The series debuted on Australian TV screens in 1996 and made its way onto North American television the following year.
The Crocodile Hunter became successful in the United States, the UK and over 130 other countries, reaching 500 million people.