Tom Hanks’s Toyota LandCruiser up for auction

Hollywood megastar Tom Hanks is putting his custom 1980 FJ40 LandCruiser under the hammer.

It’s being sold by Bonhams at its Quail Lodge Auction in California, with a final price expected to climb well into the six-digit range.

The short-wheelbase, four-seat Cruiser was commissioned by Hanks as a practical driver. Rather than choose a high-output LS-family V8 like many, he opted to repower the FJ40 with a GM-sourced, Vortec 4.2-litre V6 which makes a respectable 180hp (134kW).

It’s matched to a GM five-speed manual gearbox, itself paired with the original high and low-range transfer case. Importantly, the modifications have been approved by California’s Bureau of Automotive repair — an increasingly difficult task.

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The FJ40 rolls on Toyo Open Country 31x10.5 R15 all-terrain tyres, with a matching spare. The stock ride-height is bolstered by a set of Old Man Emu shock absorbers and steering damper, making for a vehicle which is comfortable both on and off-road.

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Inside the cab, rests a set of power-operated Porsche leather seats – though the original units are being bundled in with the sale and appear to be in very good condition. Extra mod-cons include a Sony head unit and aftermarket air conditioning. The dash has also been signed by Hanks himself.

While it’s far from a concours example, Bonhams describes the paint as “sound and presentable”, with the engine bay presenting similarly. The chassis is apparently well-used, though entirely usable as-is.

The auction will begin on August 13, with the LandCruiser slated to take in between US$75,000 - $125,000 (AU$100,000-170,000). While the price may seem exorbitant for a sparsely-equipped Toyota, groups such as The FJ Company have offered restomodded FJ40s in the US for more than AU$270,000.

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It’s one of a few items being off-loaded by Hanks, in a collection which notably features his bespoke ‘silver bullet’ Airstream trailer.

He ordered the trailer in 1992, which became his home while shooting Forrest Gump, The Green Mile and countless other blockbuster films. Hanks said he's decided it's time to move it on thanks to changing production methods. “Movies move faster now,” he told Bonhams. “I got it in the days when movies moved slower.”

It’s expected to sell for somewhere between US$150,000 - $250,000 (AU$200,000 - $340,000).

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Also going under the hammer are Hanks's 2011 Ford F-450 Super Duty tow rig, and his 2015 Tesla Model S P85D.

A wide range of highly-collectable cars will be sold at the Quail Lodge auction. The highest estimated prices include a 1967 Ford GT40, which should fetch US$3million - $3.5m (AU$4.1 - 4.7m). You’ll find the full list of cars on the Bonhams website.