On paper, it doesn't make a lot of sense. If your mission is to build something small and nimble, standard logic says maybe don't start with a heavy-duty 4WD.

Yet, there’s something equally cool and hilariously comical about the short-wheelbase, 3-door Toyota Prado (counting the tailgate, of course).

Yes, it looks a bit like it might roll head-over-heels under heavy braking. But it also looks like an absolute barrel of fun.

We’ve got a rare 2010 model up for auction at CARBIDS Canberra this week in Crystal Pearl white, loaded with aftermarket gear. It got us thinking: how did an engineer ever sign off on this in the first place, and why did it disappear?

Here is the story of the 3-door Prado ...

The early days: from Bundera to Prado

It wasn't called a Prado back then, but arguably the Prado began with three doors.

When Toyota introduced the 70-Series Land Cruiser in 1984, they also released a lighter-duty, short-wheelbase variant called the Bundera. It borrowed rear coil springs, lighter axles, and diesel engines from the 4Runner and HiLux for a softer, more town-friendly ride.

The 1984 Toyota Bundera - the Prado's predecessor. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

Then in 1990, the "Prado" proper arrived (fun fact: prado means "meadow" in Spanish, so presumably they didn't sell it in South America). It carried over the same lighter-duty axles running gear from the fully fledged Land Cruiser, and came in 3-door form.

Likewise, the 3-door tradition continued through the second generation in 1996, and the third generation in 2002 (the famous J125).

The short-lived Australian experiment

Australia didn't officially get the 3-door Prado until the fourth-generation arrived in 2009, offered in SX and ZR trims.

It came hot on the heels of Mitsubishi's short-wheelbase Pajero, and Toyota pitched it hard to couples and off-road enthusiasts - highlighting some serious advantages over the 5-door.

It claimed the higher break-over angle made for better negotiation of tight terrain, and the lower weight would translate to " even better real-world acceleration". Towing capacity was up too - by 500 kg, for a total of three tonnes.

The 3-door Prado first arrived in Australia in 2009. Photo: Toyota Australia.

"Even more than new five-door Prado, the three-door will definitely attract buyers who previously have not considered a sports utility vehicle," a Toyota Australia marketing executive said at the time.

Toyota predicted the 3-door would make up 10% of local Prado sales, but it didn't even reach that.

By the 2013 facelift, Australian buyers had made their preference clear, and Toyota pulled the plug on the 3-door down under, never to return.

“While customers who have bought the three-door Prado tell us they love its off-road and towing capabilities, there is an overwhelming preference for the five-door body style,” Toyota Australia said.

We had to ask AI what a 3-door current-gen Prado would look like. Photo: AI-Generated.

A future collectible?

Because of that tiny four-year window, finding a clean 3-door Prado in Australia today is a genuine rarity.

But is that rare in a good way, or more like an eradicated disease?

Prices seem to be holding steady with higher-kilometre examples (250,000 km plus) fetching around $31,000 to $35,000, while less-used, higher-spec ZR ones are going for over $40,000. 

And ALLBIDS Group CEO Ben Hastings expects them to continue creeping upward.

"They'll follow the trend of all these rare 3-door 4x4s that are creeping up in value - the Mitsubishi Pajeros, the Nissan Patrols. You get half the car for twice as much."

It's hard to put a price on the admiring smiles you'll receive on the road too.

The ZR model on our lot has over 323,400 km, an immaculate service history, and several genuine and aftermarket extras. Check out the listing here.