Toyota BX

The BX prototype entered production in June 1951 after the prototype had undergone extensive testing in 1950.^[4] 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.^[5] The BX was built at the Toyota Honsha plant.

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.^[4] 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.^[5] 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).^[2]

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.^[4]

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.