Toyota Tundra T3 Edition Celebrates Mediocre Terminator Movie
We love weird limited-edition models, so the Toyota Tundra T3 Edition is right up our alley.
In the interest of full disclosure, the first title we wrote for this post branded Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines as the worst Terminator movie. That’s likely because our affinity for the first and second installments of the sci-fi series initially prevented us from recalling absolutely awful efforts like Terminator Salvation, and Terminator Genisys. So while Rise of the Machines did serve as an overture for some seriously awful flicks, it’s not half bad, even if Terminator: Dark Fate actually serves as a better part three for the franchise. We don’t care what anyone says, that movie rocked.
With that out of the way, let’s talk about the truck which prompted that brief dip into the Terminator cannon: the Toyota Tundra T3 Special Edition. Because while the cross-branding effort might have been a little weird, this is actually a pretty cool rig. With only 650 models produced for the American market, and another 200 made for our Canadian neighbors, it’s also pretty rare. Unlike some special editions, these weren’t all show either. Because along with blacked-out exterior trim, T3 badging on the grille and rear fender, fog lights, and 17-inch alloy wheels, these models also came with some performance bits.
From what we can tell, all T3 Special Edition models were packing Toyota’s 4.7-liter V-8, which was good for 255 horsepower and 325 lb-ft of torque, the model’s biggest engine at the time. While the four-speed auto was the only transmission option, there was also a Borla dual exhaust, a limited-slip diff, Tokico shocks at all four corners, and a TRD stabilizer bar.
All of the trucks in the promotional material we’ve seen are black, but the T3 Special Edition was also available in Imperial Jade Mica, which is kind of a dark green. Since it’s been nearly two decades, super-detailed info is a little foggy on exactly how many Imperial Jade Mica models were sold, though we’d bet it’s a small fraction of the total number. Even given that we pay an inordinate amount of attention to the vehicles we see on the street, we don’t ever remember seeing one in the wild, which seems to confirm that these Tundra’s are pretty rare.
That said, we were able to find a couple of good-looking examples for sale. Coincidentally, both of them were listed on a site called 2040-Cars.com, which looks so ancient we half expected to see a visitor counter at the bottom of the page. The blog also hasn’t been updated since 2014, so whether or not these listing are still acting remains to be seen.
But if you’re in the market for pickup from the early 2000s, and only a movie-tie-in model will do, it’s a good place to start.
The black example sports over 200k on the clock, lists no price, and also looks to have had the 17-inch magnesium-colored factory wheels swapped out for grubby-looking five-spoke units. In contrast, the green one looks to be in much better nick. Since it’s got just over 96k on the clock, and it’s a Toyota, that means it’s barely broken in, and it also appears to have retained all its factory equipment. At $12,980, it’s a bit pricier than what models with similar equipment and mileage seem to be trading for, but it looks clean, and with basic maintenance will likely outlive the sun.
While we were digging around for info on these trucks, we also found the commercial above. It’s pretty cool — and a little surprising — how super-conservative Toyota was comfortable with showing one of its trucks completely bashed up and missing a door in the spot, as sometimes automakers can be cagey about that stuff. Maybe it’s easier to do if, like Toyota, you build vehicles that are as reliable as hand tools.
So have you seen a Toyota Tundra T3 Special Edition in the flesh? Or better yet, do you own one? Head to the forum and let us know, and don’t be afraid to share your opinion that Terminator 2: Judgement Day is the best Terminator movie. Or even another opinion that’s wrong — it’s all good on the forum!
Photos: Toyota, 2040-Cars.com