Make & Model: 1986 Toyota Hilux Surf.

Suspension: torsion bar up front and leafs on the back.

Engine: a hearty 2LT.

Tyres: 265/75r16 tyres on what where old split rims I cut up in my shed.

Transmission: 5 speed manual.

 

 

Nestled amongst the hustle of the small alpine lakeside town of Wānaka, New Zealand is George's one-of-a-kind and ultra-trusty Toyota Hilux Surf. George picked this gem up from marketplace thanks to a government COVID payout where it had been gathering progressively more bog and tinfoil throughout the bodywork. With time on his hands and a wad of unexpected cash, George got to work.

 

 

"I have no idea what or where it was before I got it, but it had a lot of tin foil and bog in the roof." 

 

George - Jacinda Ardern bought it for me when she was giving everyone money during Covid, safe to say it wasn’t her best buy and has definitely cost me more in time and stress since. I got it from a fella in Christchurch who realised how much rust it had, he made the common sense decision not to touch it.

 

 

Aside from having a bit of extra unexpected cash in the bank, what sprung the purchase?

- Because I had a garage to fill and I needed a new love in my life, I had no one telling me it was a bad idea. And you can’t get better than a two door station wagon that can go anywhere you point it. I have no idea what or where it was before I got it, but it had a lot of tin foil and bog in the roof.

 

 

So there was a bit to un-pack? It’s obviously had a good tickle up, aside from the fresh lick of paint, what went into it to get it where it is now? 

- At this point I’ve probably touched every bolt on it. Plenty of body work, all cutting and patch’s, barely any bogging! And I’ve had the head off a number of times, upgraded the radiator, 2in lift, speakers of course, and a momo steering wheel and shifter knob making it 10%faster,  home built rims… 

 

 

I can see it isn’t just a suburban show pony, what do use it for and what’s been your favourite mission?

- It’s the daily! Way more fun than any modern truck. Way more stressful too. 
It’s been to a few place I definitely shouldn’t have taken it,  it’s amazing where it can go even as it is.  Favourite drives in it are down a river or track, low box, 1st gear, the idle turned up, box of beer and some good company inside of it. Pretty much drives itself. A First Gear Safari, letting the world passby at a very slow rate.

 

"I got up to 110km/h today. Can’t kill it."

 

Judging by the steam in this pic, what's been happening in the engine bay? 

- The engine has always been temporary. I’ve put too much time and $$ into it. Leaks oil and water but it won’t die. I lost a heater hose as I entered the Lindis Pass, smelt the sweet sweet smell of coolant everywhere so pulled over. It was bubbling. 6 weeks later it’s still driving fine, just a leaky head gasket. I got up to 110km/h today. Can’t kill it.  I’ve got a built 5L+T waiting to go into it when it does die. It’s a crazy engine though, I got from Tekapo to Christchurch once after duct taping the outlet hose back together. Rakaia to chch another time with no oil on the dipstick after loosing the oil return hose off the turbo way up the river… I’ve tried it won’t die. 

 

 

How often does the top come off and what’s the percentage of turned necks you get when you drive it?

- Love running it topless. Always for a couple weeks over summer.  Put the girls in it (wife & daughter) and send them up the river. 

Always a few crooked necks, and it stands out like dogs balls so you get plenty of waves from friends and strangers.

 

Any other fun/interesting/comments/things that has come out of owning this or conversations you’ve had with people? 

- Plenty of interesting ideas to keep tinkering with it, give me a budget and time and it’ll be a different truck again. I’ve got quite a few parts sitting around home my better half doesn’t know about. Owning a truck like this is an emotional rollercoaster, a constant debate of wanting something easier, but that wouldn’t be fun. Couldn’t sell it. People with similar shit boxes will always understand.

 

Images and words by George Wallis