Your chance to buy Tom Hanks’ Land Cruiser, Airstream

Tom Hanks is having a clearout of his garage with a number of his vehicles up for sale at Bonhams’ Quail House auction in August, including the movie star’s Toyota Land Cruiser and special Airstream.

Part of the Tom Hanks Collection at the August 13 auction in Carmel, California includes a 2010 Ford F-450 Super Duty pick-up, and a high-performance 2015 Tesla Model S P85D.

But it’s the Land Cruiser and Airstream that takes our fancy. And what makes the Airstream extra special is that he used the ‘caravan’ on the sets on a dozen film sets as such iconic movies as The Green Mile and Forrest Gump.

Hanks commissioned the special 1980 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40 to be competent both in the wilderness and on the highway. Professionally built to high standards, it benefits from an upgrade to a 2000 model year GM L35 4.3-litre Vortec V-6 engine with sequential port fuel injection rated to 180 horsepower from the factory. That was backed up by a GM-sourced 5-speed manual transmission.

The stock-height suspension has been beefed up with Old Man Emu shocks and steering damper and it rides on chrome wheels with Toyo Open Country 31 x 10.50 R 15LT tires (including the matching spare).

The interior sports a set of power-operated Porsche high back seats (the original seats are included). There are center-facing folding seats in the carpeted rear compartment. It has a roof rack and rear-mounted spare. 

It’s estimated to sell between NZ$110,000–$180,000.

As for the 1992 Airstream Model 34 Limited classic trailer, Hanks described it as his refuge for more than 25 years during productions across America. Its windows are adorned with replica slates (clapperboards) identifying eighteen locations where it was used from Sleepless in Seattle in 1993 to The Circle in 2017.

Measuring 35'1" (10.7m) from hitch to tail, it comes complete with all its accessories and furniture including dishes, glasses, several espresso makers, some kitchen equipment, and the pictured teakwood chairs and table.

"I got it in the days when movies moved slower,” Hanks told Bonhams Magazine. 

“I had spent too much time in regular trailers with ugly décor and horribly uncomfortable furniture, so I decided to buy a brand-new Airstream shell with an interior made to my own request.

“I didn't want anything built-in, other than the kitchen and bathroom, so it had only a desk and cupboard in the back, a futon platform on the floor, and room for a small table and chairs.

“I wanted a regular sofa, too, so I had one made with removable legs so it would get through the door."

It’s estimated to sell for NZ$220,000–$360,000.