The history of the Toyota Hilux spans seven generations, during which the pick-up has earned a reputation as one of the world’s most trusted and reliable commercial vehicles. Having survived extreme environments in that Arctic and Antarctic – and all points in between – the credentials of this ultra-tough machine are proven beyond doubt. And as Europe’s best-selling pick-up it is clearly the workhorse of choice for many businesses.

Yet despite its no-nonsense approach, the Hilux package has gradually developed over the years to become a complete motoring solution, bridging the gap between work use and everyday driving needs.

Partnership Agreement

Technically, the history of the Toyota Hilux begins outside of Toyota Motor Corporation. Instead, the Hilux finds its roots in the Briska line of small pick-ups made by Japanese commercial vehicle manufacturer Hino Motors since 1961. Toyota’s history with pick-ups dates back to the SB model of 1947 but halfway through production of the second-generation Briska, Toyota partnered with Hino Motors and pushed forward minor model improvements.

The Hino Briska was renamed the Toyota Briska from 1967, signalling a refocusing of the Hino brand towards production of medium- to heavy-duty commercial vehicles instead.

Arrival Of The Fittest

It was March 1968 when Toyota dealerships in Japan took delivery of the first genuine Toyota Hilux pick-up. This new model bore the N10 chassis code, and although it was conceived by Toyota, the new Hilux continued to be engineered and built at Hino Motors’ Hamura Plant.

Upon its launch, the Hilux swelled Toyota’s light-duty pick-up range from two to three separate models, the new pick-up joining the existing Corona and Masterline (Crown). The latter two were car-based derivatives and Toyota moved swiftly to phase them out so as to delineate between Toyota’s light commercial vehicle range and its passenger cars.

The new Hilux – its name a contraction of ‘high’ and ‘luxury’ – utilised a separate frame construction with a double wishbone/coil spring suspension set up at the front and rigid axle/leaf spring arrangement at the rear.

At the outset, the Toyota Hilux began as a short-wheelbase model powered by a four-cylinder 1.5-litre R-series petrol engine with a column-shift, four-speed manual gearbox driving the rear wheels. Just over a year into production in April 1969, the Hilux range was grew (literally) to include a long-wheelbase model. February 1971 witnessed the arrival of a gutsier 1.6-litre version that replaced the base engine. Passenger capacity was for three people sat abreast on a bench seat.

For the important North American market, Toyota made some unique changes. To begin with, the Hilux name wasn’t used – instead, the pick-up was simply badged as the ‘Toyota Truck’ to prevent confusion over its name and purpose. The American market only received larger 1.9- or 2.0-litre R-series powerplants, and only the short-wheelbase chassis with its 1.85m long bed was offered to buyers.