Toyota BX
The Toyota BX is a 4,000 kg truck built by Toyota from 1951.[1] It is 3.8 metres (12 ft) long, and has a close resemblance to Ford's 1948 trucks. The engines owed much to Chevrolet's inline-sixes of the period. The BX replaced the BM truck, which was introduced in 1947.[2] Compared to the BM, the BX was considerably easier to build and the cabin could seat three rather than two.
History[edit]
The BX prototype entered production in June 1951 after the prototype had undergone extensive testing in 1950.[3] The truck had been meant for introduction in August 1950, but a two-month strike beginning in April 1950 combined with Toyota's production commitments for the Korean War efforts meant a sizable delay.[4] The BX was built at the Toyota Honsha plant.
Mechanicals[edit]
The BX originally used the 3,386 cc Type B 6-cylinder engine that was first introduced in the 1938 Toyota GB truck. It produced 82 PS (60 kW) at 3,000 rpm.[3] Top speed was 72 km/h (45 mph). In September 1951, this was joined by the bigger 3.9 litre F-engined FX, which offered 95 PS (70 kW) at the same engine speed.[4] At the same time, the 2.5-ton BZ and FZ models on a shorter wheelbase were also added. In June 1953, output of the Type B engine increased to 85 PS (63 kW).[5]
The BX/FX did see some exports, mainly to countries without their own car industries. A left-hand-drive model had been planned from the beginning, and the range was marketed in Taiwan, Thailand, Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay.[3]
The BX and FX were re-designed in February 1954, becoming the BA and FA models. On the outside, changes were largely limited to a new grille, but the Type F engine was also upgraded and now produced 105 PS (77 kW).[6] Through a series of upgrades these trucks were kept in production until 1964, although the BA was discontinued in 1956.[6] The FA (and diesel-engined DA) names were kept on a new generation of trucks that were kept in production in Japan until 1978 and elsewhere in the world into the 2000s.
References[edit]
- ^ "History of Toyota: 1950-1959". Toyota Motor Co.
- ^ "History of Toyota: 1940-1949". Toyota Motor Co.
- ^ a b c Barr, Jonathan, ed. (July–September 2003). "Working Classics: 1951 Toyota BX Truck". The Japanese Restorer in Australia (4). Bald Hills, Queensland, Australia: 23.
- ^ a b "Section 8. Debut of the Toyopet Crown, a Full-Fledged Passenger Car: Item 2. Development of Large Trucks, Four-wheel-drive Vehicles, and Diesel Engines (a)". 75-Year History. Toyota Motor Corporation. Archived from the original on 2017-12-16.
- ^ "Toyota Model BX Truck: Description". Vehicle Lineage. Toyota Motor Corporation. Archived from the original on 2016-07-05.
- ^ a b "Toyota Model BA Truck: Description". Vehicle Lineage. Toyota Motor Corporation. Archived from the original on 2017-11-16.