SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2009

“Can I Use Your 45 Wagon as a Limo…?”!

by Kelly Phillips

On September 6, 2008, Mitch Elkins and Cali Kybic were married at Snooks Bottom Open Space in Fruita, Colorado. In true Toyota lover’s fashion, there was no question that their Land Cruiser was going to be a part of the ceremony— but the groom’s FJ40 wasn’t large enough to accommodate the wedding party. So Mitch asked one of his groomsmen, Hugh Phillips
(owner of Safari Ltd. in Grand Junction), if he could use Hugh’s troopy as their limo. Of course, Hugh said yes.

The troopy is a 1983 FJ45 wagon, bonestock except for the Australian modified suspension, which features a unique coil and leaf spring combination. It was originally white but was recently painted to Nebula Green. The “limo” was decked out with white carpet, white curtains, white seat covers, gerbera daisies, rolls of ribbon— inside and out—and filled with bottles of
champagne for the occasion. The groomsmen even constructed stairs for the bride.

Hugh chauffeured the wedding party to the reception and there was plenty of room for the entire wedding party. Combined, the groom’s 1978 FJ40 (sprung over, 350, dual transfer cases) and the troopy provided a spectacular backdrop for the wedding photos...

The dressed up troopy waits to transport the wedding party in style.

Fully loaded, the troopy heading to the reception.