zzdcar
Home
/
Reviews
/
Buying
/
This Stretched Lexus LS400 Is Yet Another Kind Of Japanese Luxury
This Stretched Lexus LS400 Is Yet Another Kind Of Japanese Luxury-September 2024
2024-02-19 EST 22:09:37

Image for article titled This Stretched Lexus LS400 Is Yet Another Kind Of Japanese Luxury

We’re all big fans of the around here. Most automakers don’t build a flagship that so defiantly bucks the norms of its segment. But what if the Toyota Century was just a little too common for you? What if you needed a Toyota luxury car that was a bonafide one-off and a factory-produced one at that?

This 1998 Long for sale in Poland is reportedly the only one in existence. According to on eBay, the car once belonged to a Sheik who used it on visits to Europe. While the exact length of the stretch this second-gen car got isn’t also mentioned, it looks to me to be about eight or so inches at most of comfort and legroom added to the b-pillar.

Image for article titled This Stretched Lexus LS400 Is Yet Another Kind Of Japanese Luxury

Inside, the upgrades aren’t all that over the top. The rear bench appears unchanged from stock behind all that legroom. A television set sits between the front seats and the all-important car-phone is mounted on an arm reaching back towards the rear passengers, ready to be pressed into service to close a deal, berate a lackey or reassure some major shareholders.

When you’re important enough to be carted around in a car this special, it’s not really the creature comforts you need, though. What you’re really looking for is privacy. In this Lexus, that wide B-pillar provides some cover from prying eyes outside, and anything it doesn’t shield is blocked out by some serious curtains that wouldn’t be out of place on one of those nice but rather common (compared to this car, at least) Centuries. The glass might not be tinted, but you wouldn’t be wanting for privacy in the back of this LS.

Image for article titled This Stretched Lexus LS400 Is Yet Another Kind Of Japanese Luxury

But back to that B-Pillar. It’s the special trim this extra bit of bodywork gets that has me so enamored with this car. That giant Lexus badge in the middle is the exact opposite of the Toyota Century approach. It’s in-your-face branding that is all about flexing on your friends in their more common, more conventional limousines. Century owners don’t need to do that. But if you ordered something like this, you’d probably be all about the flex.

Image for article titled This Stretched Lexus LS400 Is Yet Another Kind Of Japanese Luxury

What’s so excited about this car is the fact that it supposedly was built in coordination with the actual LS plant at Tahara, Japan. This is a plant known for its , with incredible scrutiny paid to details like panel fit and finish. Those engineers and technicians wouldn’t have stood for some slap-dash stretch job. No, they would have made sure it was done right.

Image for article titled This Stretched Lexus LS400 Is Yet Another Kind Of Japanese Luxury

And it better have been done right if the car is worth the monster 39,000 euros the seller is asking for. The car does only have a scant 15,000 kilometers under its belt, and these are cars that are capable of doing . But put mileage and durability aside for a second. If you want this car it’s because you want its exclusivity. And while I see the appeal, I certainly don’t want it for more than ten times what an equivalent standard LS goes for. It seems not many others feel any stronger as this car has apparently been on offer by the same seller . Maybe eventually someone will bite.

Comments
Welcome to zzdcar comments! Please keep conversations courteous and on-topic. To fosterproductive and respectful conversations, you may see comments from our Community Managers.
Sign up to post
Sort by
Show More Comments
Buying
At $8,600, Would You Go Topless In This 1994 Cadillac Eldorado?
At $8,600, Would You Go Topless In This 1994 Cadillac Eldorado?
The seller of today’s Caddy claims they should be selling it at auction but says who’s got time for that? Let’s see if we have the time for this custom convertible at its non-auction price. Many of you agreed that the $950 asked for yesterday’s was “chump change.” Even...
Sep 21, 2024
Someone Willingly Paid $16,000 For A Maserati Ghibli On Cars & Bids. Don’t Make The Same Mistake
Someone Willingly Paid $16,000 For A Maserati Ghibli On Cars & Bids. Don’t Make The Same Mistake
Let’s cut right to the chase: buying a is not a good idea unless you have deep enough pockets for the upkeep. For those not in the know, they’re sirens. They draw you in with their premium Italian image and sweet songs of and then go in for the...
Sep 21, 2024
At $18,500, Would You Lean Toward Buying This 2022 Ford Mustang?
At $18,500, Would You Lean Toward Buying This 2022 Ford Mustang?
Today’s Mustang is being sold by a towing yard, which means it’s probably a lien sale. Let’s see if this clean title convertible is priced to put a new buyer on the hook. The general consensus on last Friday’s was that it would be the perfect car for someone...
Sep 21, 2024
Which One Of You Suckers Is Going To Pay Over $32,000 For A 25-Year-Old Toyota 4Runner
Which One Of You Suckers Is Going To Pay Over $32,000 For A 25-Year-Old Toyota 4Runner
The (and Tacoma) have a death grip on used values. It’s been this way for years. Go ahead, go try and buy any TRD trim that’s a couple of years old; it’ll cost you as much as a new one — not that you could buy a new one...
Sep 21, 2024
At $950, Would You Go All-In On This 1984 Plymouth Colt GTS Turbo Project?
At $950, Would You Go All-In On This 1984 Plymouth Colt GTS Turbo Project?
One of the calling cards of today’s Plymouth Colt is its “Twin Stick” overdrive gear change, which gives the car eight speeds going forward and two in reverse. Let’s see if this project car has anything else to offer. Just as Goldilocks discovered when appropriating Papa Bear’s lifestyle and...
Sep 21, 2024
At $5,900, Is This 1984 Nissan 720 4X4 A Solid Deal?
At $5,900, Is This 1984 Nissan 720 4X4 A Solid Deal?
According to its seller, today’s Nissan 4X4 shows “pride of ownership.” Let’s see if it would take swallowing one’s pride to pay its asking price. Opinions were split on how well the design of yesterday’s has held up over the years. Some of you commented that the design still...
Sep 21, 2024
Copyright 2023-2024 - www.zzdcar.com All Rights Reserved