Issue link: http://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/636897
I bought this car new from Leslie Motors for just a little over $3,000. At the time, I was driving off-road a lot, doing research for my books about the Gold Rush era. There weren't a lot of options for 4-wheel drive vehicles then. This car now has more than 430,000 miles and is still our daily driver. People are constantly stopping me and asking if I would sell it, but there's no way. Cars become a part of your life and bring a lot of pleasure; this one has also become part of the family. My wife Debbie and I live near the ocean, and if I'm home for more than 10 minutes it goes in the garage, out of the salt air and the door comes down—that's one reason it looks so good for being 45 years old. There's no doubt this is an unusual looking vehicle. One year during Car Week I was parked on Lincoln in the residential area and came back to find a note under the wiper. It said, "We don't mind you parking your car here, but we prefer you didn't park the box it came in!" P A C I F I C G R O V E • W R I T E R , T E A C H E R , H I S T O R I A N 8 6 C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • W I N T E R 2 0 1 6 P A C I F I C G R O V E • W R I T E R , T E A C H E R , H I S T O R I A N RANDY REINSTEDT I bought this car new from Leslie Motors for just a little over I bought this car new from Leslie Motors for just a little over I ocean, and if I'm home for more than 10 minutes it goes in the garage, out 1970 TOYOTA LAND CRUISER Photo: Kelli Uldall CARS WE LOVE " B Y M I C H A E L C H AT F I E L D B Y M I C H A E L C H AT F I E L D