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Built for Rugged Duty in Harsh Environments, the Land Cruiser Epitomizes Automotive Stealth Wealth

This SUV has more than earned its reputation as a vehicle capable of remaining operational where repair facilities, specialized diagnostic equipment and quality fuel are not always available.

There’s not much you can’t do with a Toyota Land Cruiser. However, allowing a mongoose to drive one makes its way onto the short list of activities not recommended, and so my friend Mongoo merely rode along as I piloted the specially adapted SUV through the dry morning glories dotting the Tanzanian flats. Mongoo was the little mascot of the Chem Chem slow safari team, rescued after a predator wounded her. Once healed and fattened up, she rode along with her adopted crew now and again. By the time I met her on a story about the blend of safaris and poacher enforcement in her stretch of Africa, she was well-accustomed to the bush massage all passengers received as the extended Land Cruiser confidently bounced and cambered its way through the ruts the rainy season left behind.

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An extended wheelbase, two extra rows of elevated seats and an open canopy left the military-grade vehicle no worse for wear. As we made our way along, the mongoose with her dark eyes and frowning face would wriggle out of my fists, across my chest and around my shoulders before arriving back at my hands to bite a finger or two. Even that behavior wasn’t enough to make the Land Cruiser difficult to drive.

Armed with off-road tires that could crush a cathedral and suspension that could spit out its steeple (the Land Cruiser, not the mongoose), Chem Chem’s primary expedition vehicle represented its make and model with aplomb. The machine has an ideal blend of attributes for dirty duty across the world: durability, adaptability, reliability and........

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