Bucket List Bruiser

Allan and Kathy Huxtable Built a Tough Touring Lc79 to Ensure Their Trip of a Lifetime Is, Indeed, for Life.

- Justin Walker

DREAMS rarely come true, unless you’ve got plenty of time, you plan properly and you’re prepared to put in the hard yards; which is precisely what Allan and Kathy Huxtable did. The end result after nearly six years is this tough-as-teak, fully kitted Toyota LC79 single-cab.

Their dream was one we all share, to escape the rat race and disappear over a dusty horizon on the Big Trip, exploring every remote campsite, rutted track and waterway in this awesome country of ours – and not worry about time. Yep, we’re already envious.

GOTTA START SOMEWHERE

ALLAN and Kathy initially built the Cruiser for shorter escapes: a few weeks across the Simpson Desert, a month doing Cape York, etc. The vehicle already had the schmick canopy (built by MFI Service Bodies in Warragul, Victoria, but designed by Allan), rooftop tent, kitchen, fridge and electrics. Circumstances changed when Allan accepted a redundancy from his job, which led to a re-evaluation of what they wanted to do, and the couple sold up everything (yep, including the house) and hit the road on a more permanent basis, alternating between work periods (to fund travel) and heading out exploring more of Australia.

They just needed to add a few things to their touring kit first, such as a caravan and a tinny, which, in turn, meant more mods for the Cruiser – the perfect excuse for Allan, who takes any chance he gets to improve on what’s already a pretty awesome touring rig.

GETTING THE BASICS RIGHT

“THE Cruiser’s six years old, but it’s an ongoing transformation,” Allan said. “I wouldn’t say it’s finished yet, it’s still a work in progress.”