Article written in Toyota Connections: The term “car guy” certainly applies, but for Chris Wade, three other words more accurately describe his automotive passion: Toyota Land Cruiser. It all started decades ago with a very different sort of machine. “As a kid I took apart lawn mowers,” says the 59-year-old Newnan, Georgia, resident. “I liked to see how things work.” Clearly, he learned plenty along the way. Mostly self-taught, Wade’s specialty is restoring vintage Land Cruisers-Toyota’s legendary sport-utility vehicle which first arrived on the American market in 1958. Using only original parts and equipment, and working to meticulous standards, Wade does all of the labor himself except painting, which he has a specialist handle (stock colors only, he insists). “ I always loved cars, especially ’50s-era trucks and convertibles,” Wade explains. 15 years ago, I saw a Land Cruiser and bought it and it has continued from there.