Since Kobe Bryant’s sudden passing in 2020, his former teammate-turned-rival-turned-lifelong friend Shaquille O’Neal has remained close to the Bryant family, regularly checking in with his parents and siblings.
During a visit in August earlier this year, Shaq spotted a 1996 Toyota Land Cruiser parked in the garage of Kobe’s parents. The Black Mamba’s mother then explained that the J80 Land Cruiser was Kobe’s daily driver back in high school. When Bryant moved on to the NBA and left his hometown of Philadelphia, the Land Cruiser was passed down to his sisters and eventually became the Bryant family car.
As a surprise gift for Kobe’s mother, Shaq took the Land Cruiser to Effortless Motors in Riverside, California, to have it restored to its former glory. The auto shop is famous for working with some of the biggest names in entertainment, with Shaq being a regular customer.
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The Land Cruiser looked to be in running shape, but with a lot of sun damage and oxidation. According to Effortless Motors, parts of the car were chipping away and peeling. However, the guys working on the car were adamant about restoring the original Dark Emerald color and keeping the stock parts.
And it looks like they did a great job. Even the interior looks brand-new, especially the leather-wrapped steering wheel.
If you want to watch the full restoration project, check out the link below.
