1970 Toyota Hilux

The Hilux (or “Hi-Lux”) debuted in March 1968 as a new bonnet-type truck that integrated and succeeded the Briska and the Light Stout. The vehicle was conceived by Toyota, and was developed and manufactured by Hino Motors, Ltd. at its Hamura Plant.

This 1970 Toyota Hilux pickup truck is finished in green over a black vinyl interior and is powered by a 1.9L 8R-C inline-four paired with a four-speed manual transmission. Additional equipment includes a bed liner, rear mud flaps, lap belts, and 14″ steel wheels with flat-dish hubcaps.

The truck was repainted in its current green and features amber lights stop the front fenders as well as replacement amber taillights. Additional equipment includes a folding tailgate, a bed liner, bed tie downs, and rear mud flaps.

The cabin features a black vinyl bench seat joined by a matching dash pad and door panels along with a painted steel dash and rubber floor mat.

If “Hilux” was meant to suggests “High luxury”, then hopefully it was done tongue-in-cheek, as there was nothing luxurious about these spartan and rugged work trucks.

Well, no matter; Toyota tucked the front running light/turn signal assembly under the front bumper on their second generation Hilux, as shown in this one. Since the ’72 first gen Hilux has already received the 2.0 liter 18R motor, this new truck shared most mechanical features with our featured truck. However, the sheet metal and cab both received an update, and the tail lights moved alongside the tailgate, mimicking the domestic pickups.

After all, building on an existing structure is the definition of a building block, and over time Toyota has proven they have mastered this approach.