Latest news with #ToyotaLandCruiser
Edmunds
a day ago
- Automotive
- Edmunds
The Toyota 4Runner, Land Cruiser and Tacoma Turned Hell's Revenge Into a Piece of Cake
Three Toyota off-roaders vs. one challenging trail Despite being fairly new to off-roading, I was able to safely traverse all the obstacles and different terrains I encountered in all three Toyotas I drove. The Land Cruiser and the 4Runner TRD Off-Road Premium are the two vehicles that can be pitted directly against each other. Both vehicles are SUVs and ride on Toyota's TNGA-F platform with the same suspension setup and hybrid powertrain. I also drove the Tacoma TRD Pro, which bears many similarities to its siblings but in truck form. Hell's Revenge hits you with a stunning challenge right off the bat: a narrow uphill path — also called a fin — that welcomes you at the trailhead. From the parking lot, the hill looks intimidating, but once you initiate the climb, you instantly begin to enjoy the ride and appreciate your surroundings. Every obstacle we encountered shouldn't be taken lightly because the consequences can be severe. Soon after descending, we came across uneven ground with rocks and boulders on both sides and a narrow path that served as the ideal route to avoid damage. All three trucks put their suspension systems to work and wheeled through this without any fuss. As we kept motoring along, we came across boulders and steep hills we had to carefully climb to reach higher points and continue. The Toyotas once again got up and over with ease. The Land Cruiser's 32-degree approach angle came in handy in these instances because it avoided hitting most obstacles altogether. The 4Runner's significantly lower approach angle — 19 degrees — was noticeable as I tapped the front skid plate more than once. Departure angles on all three vehicles were sufficient, but one thing that irked me was the rear mud flaps on the Land Cruiser. Every single time we had a steep descent and came to flat ground, the mud flaps would make contact. Of course, those can be removed, and I highly suggest you do so if you plan on taking it off-roading. The Tacoma is longer than its SUV siblings, but it still managed to get through tight spaces and turns with the only issue being the trailer hitch that kept scraping on steep drops.
Otago Daily Times
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Otago Daily Times
Mullets, utes, dogs on show at muster
Russell Bradley stands in front of his 1979 Toyota Land Cruiser at this year's Ute Muster in Gore. PHOTOS: ELLA SCOTT-FLEMING An annual Ute Muster, as part of Bayleys Tussock Country music festival, featured a mullet contest where generational supporters of the hairstyle competed to see who had the best '80s-inspired locks. Utes old and new lined up at the Southern Field Days site on Sunday to be judged in a variety of categories including best deck and highest number of kilometres. The utes begin their convoy out of Waimumu's Southern Field Days site, before heading along the main drag of Gore, to Croydon Lodge for prizegiving. The pickups were not the only things assessed by the judges as a crowd of about 60 Southlanders braved the icy temperatures to watch some entertaining dog and mullet competitions too. MC Rural experience provider Real Country owner Laura Koot said there was no-one more reluctant to put themselves in the spotlight than Southland men. Theanim Wilson, winner of best mullet in the senior category at the Ute Muster. The winner in the Junior category was Liam McCullen, 9, who said he had been growing his mullet since "he was born". Theanim Wilson, who won for his grown-out 'do in the adult category, initially tried to hide his mullet, which was done by "a hairdresser". Thirteen golden retriever puppies in the back of Cody Wards' duck-hunt decorated Toyota Hilux, won "Best Dog in a Ute". Ute-wise "Best Turned Out 4WD" went to Russell Bradley for his 1979 Nissan Patrol and "The Most Kilometres" was Anthony Haines' 1999 Toyota Hilux, which had 590,247km on the clock. "Best Dog in a Ute" went to Cody Wards' 13 newborn golden retriever puppies, nestled in the back of his Hilux and surrounded by duck-shooting-themed decor. Mr Wards also won "People's Choice" with his 2006 Hilux, awarding him $500 and "Best Classic Ute — Pre 1980" was given to Harman Harvey's 1930 Ford Model A. MC Laura Koot asks Liam McCullen, 9, how long he has been growing his prize-winning mullet. GWD marketing manager Hamish Tonkin said the weather was practically "tropical" compared to last year and it was great to see so many utes in every category as well as the mullets. The utes convoyed through Main St in Gore before heading to Croydon Lodge for prizegiving.
Otago Daily Times
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Otago Daily Times
Mullets on show at muster
Russell Bradley in front of his 1979 Toyota Land Cruiser at this year's Ute Muster in Gore. PHOTOS: ELLA SCOTT-FLEMING An annual Ute Muster, as part of Gore's Tussock Country festival, featured a mullet contest where generational supporters of the hairstyle competed to see who had the best '80s-inspired locks. Utes old and new lined up at the Southern Field Days site on Sunday to be judged in a variety of categories including best deck and highest number of kilometres. The pickups were not the only things assessed by the judges as a crowd of about 60 Southlanders braved the icy temperatures to watch some entertaining dog and mullet competitions too. MC Rural experience provider Real Country owner Laura Koot said there was no-one more reluctant to put themselves in the spotlight than Southland men. The winner in the Junior category was Liam McCullen, 9, who said he had been growing his mullet since "he was born". Theanim Wilson, winner of best mullet in the senior category at the Ute Muster. Theanim Wilson, who won for his grown-out 'do in the adult category, initially tried to hide his mullet, which was done by "a hairdresser". Ute-wise "Best Turned Out 4WD" went to Russell Bradley for his 1979 Nissan Patrol and "The Most Kilometres" was Anthony Haines' 1999 Toyota Hilux, which had 590,247km on the clock. "Best Dog in a Ute" went to Cody Wards' 13 newborn golden retriever puppies, nestled in the back of his Hilux and surrounded by duck-shooting-themed decor. Mr Wards also won "People's Choice" with his 2006 Hilux, awarding him $500 and "Best Classic Ute — Pre 1980" was given to Harman Harvey's 1930 Ford Model A. GWD marketing manager Hamish Tonkin said the weather was practically "tropical" compared to last year and it was great to see so many utes in every category as well as the mullets. The utes convoyed through Main St in Gore before heading to Croydon Lodge for prizegiving.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Jethro's J35 TER number plate sells for £30.5k
The famous J35 TER number plate owned by the late Cornish comedy legend Jethro has sold for £30,500 at auction. The personalised plate was the star of the online auction of his vehicles and agricultural machinery which ended on Thursday night. The comedian, who died in 2021, ran a farm and a contracting business from his base at Lewdown, near Okehampton, Devon. He always used the number plate on his personal vehicle and it was even on the Toyota Land Cruiser that carried his coffin to his funeral at Truro Cathedral in 2022. The viewing day for the dispersal sale of vehicles, farm equipment and other machinery attracted a large number of people but it was the number plate that drew the most interest. Speaking before the sale, Harvey Pile from Stags Auctioneers said: "It is one of those iconic pieces where, to some extent, it's worth whatever somebody is willing to pay for it. "It is a cliche thing to say but how do you value a piece of comedic history that in years to come will always be linked to the famous man?" Listen: Remembering Jethro - the man and the legend - on BBC Radio Cornwall Jethro, whose real name was Geoffrey Rowe, was born in St Buryan, Cornwall. His popularity as a comedian grew during the 1980s and he made his first national appearance on the Des O'Connor show in 1990. He later said that performance gave him a national profile and it led to other TV appearances and stage shows across the UK. In 2001, he appeared on the Royal Variety Show and went on to become one of the biggest stars from Cornwall. Jethro had stopped touring in 2020 after more than 50 years on the road - he died in December 2021 at the age of 73 after contracting Covid-19. His funeral at Truro Cathedral in January 2022 was attended by hundreds of people, including fellow comedian and close friend Jim Davidson. More news stories for Cornwall Listen to the latest news for Cornwall Follow BBC Cornwall on X, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to spotlight@ Jethro fans asked to help with statue location Cathedral funeral for Cornish comedian Jethro Cornish comedian Jethro dies aged 73
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Jethro's J35 TER number plate up for auction
A distinctive number plate belonging to the late Cornish comedian Jethro is expected to fetch more than £12,000 at auction. The stand-up comedian used the J35 TER plate on his personal cars, including his series of Toyota Land Cruisers. The number plate is part of a dispersal sale of vehicles, farm equipment and other machinery at Jethro's former home at Lewdown near Okehampton, Devon. A viewing is being held on Wednesday and the online auction will close to bids on Thursday evening. Harvey Pile from Stags Auctioneers said the J35 TER number plate had already attracted bids of up to £12,000. He said: "It is a very unique piece of comedic history. It was also seen on his Toyota Land Cruiser on his final journey as he was carried in his coffin to Truro Cathedral for his funeral. "There is a high level of interest from all over the country. Lots of people have made enquiries - we will see if that is translated into bids. "It's definitely unusual. It's not something we'd sell every day." Dave Pearce, speaking at the viewing, said he knew the late comedian "exceptionally well". "I worked with him and we were neighbours. I drove him thousands of miles, I was his chauffer," he said. Mr Pearce said he had already been given Jethro's joke books by the late comedian's wife but stated he would never sell them. "Money isn't everything but friendship is a lot," he said. Also speaking at the viewing, Jethro fans Lesley and Peter Taylor, said they had travelled from Truro to have a look at the "relics". Mr Taylor said he had his eyes on some "curious" and "clever" things that he may bid on, including Jethro's tractors. He added: "About 45 years ago, I met Jethro and he had us on the floor laughing. "At the time, I said to him, 'blimey, you're very, very funny' and I said, 'who are you?', because I didn't know who he was at the time. "I told him he was so funny he ought to be on TV because he would make millions of people laugh if they could hear him. "Then blow me, six months went by and he was on Des O'Connor and I wonder if I gave him a push in the right direction." Jethro, real name Geoffrey Rowe, died in December 2021 at the age of 73 after contracting Covid-19. While most of the 59 lots up for sale this week are diggers, farm machinery and 4x4 vehicles from his contracting business, there is a second number plate available - B11 ECS. Follow BBC Cornwall on X, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to spotlight@ Jethro memorial statue to be unveiled to public Cathedral funeral for Cornish comedian Jethro Cornish comedian Jethro dies aged 73
