Hunter S. Thompson, in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, wrote: “All energy flows according to the whims of the great Magnet.” I mention this only because, not two weeks ago, a gearhead friend from New Zealand shared with me this detailed video about none other than the Toyota Century. It was a fascinating road test, one that transported me into an odd automotive dimension in a small corner of the transportation universe. So when Mark_K posted this 1997 Toyota Century on our tips list (many thanks, by the way!) I felt the pull of the great Magnet. Sacramento’s Vans from Japan is offering this remarkable Japanese Domestic Market import by way of craigslist for $21,500.
Everyone knows Lexus is Toyota’s flagship marque. But that’s only in America. In Japan, nothing beats a Century — it sits at the pinnacle of the Toyota luxury hierarchy. In 2022, thanks to the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard’s 25 year rule, we have access to this decadence on our shores. Starting under the hood, the engine bay is home to the 1GZ-FE 5-liter V12, which the seller rightly points out is “Toyota’s first and only production V12 and… the only front-engine, rear-wheel-drive V12 car ever made in Japan. The seller gives a comprehensive breakdown of the engine specs, most notably that it produces 276HP, 340LB-FT of torque (on paper), and features some of Toyota’s other power-making goodies like VVTI and ACIS.
Inside the Century you’ll find the sumptuousness of a Rolls Royce married to the technology that has made Japan a global powerhouse. Remembering this is a 25-year-old car, the list of amenities is long, but includes variable-speed massaging and heated rear seats, a fold-flat front passenger seat to create an ottoman/bed to allow for rest and relaxation for the rear-seat potentate, and rear TV with remote. As expected, polished wood grain abounds, as does leather.
Toyota’s Century has a long iterative history of development, largely divided into three chapters. The Century debuted in 1967 and that first version saw upgrades and changes until 1997 (codenamed G20, followed by G30 and G40). In 1997, the redesigned and modernized Century (G50) was introduced with its V12. The last model year for the G50 was 2017. (The current version, the G51, remains in production only for the Japanese market.)
It would stand to reason that, as a JDM import, the Century on offer is a right-hand drive model. Turns out, Toyota attempted to develop an international market for the G50, so around 100 left-hand drive cars were produced for export. Some landed in North America for promotional and testing purposes, according to Tsutomu Shimizu, Century Development Chief in 2018. And a recent Motor Trend article noted the G50 as the only generation of the Century to have officially been exported and sold outside of Japan. It’s unclear how many came to the US and whether any of those were sold to the public. So it is entirely possible that the seller’s claim — “this particular specimen is one of the first to arrive upon US shores” — may very well be true and thus, for the $21,500 asking price, a pretty special purchase.
Nice.
Clothe interior in the Century is an upgrade over leather,the head of industry you are chauffering should not hear his seat squeak ever .
That’s absolutely correct, @ThunderRob — the guys over at Throttle House (the video to which I linked) mention that the wool interior is actually an upgrade on the Century. I’m kinda partial to the wool myself — I’ve almost always preferred cloth in all my cars.
Nice looking car. I’ve been interested in the Toyota Century since I was a boy in the 1980s. It’s a crying shame that it was never offered here in the USA. I would imagine it would’ve shown the US car buying public that Toyota was (is) capable of producing Japan’s version of the Cadillac Fleetwood, or even better than that for those who want something nicer than a Lexus LS400. Given its condition and age, I think around $20,000 would be a good price.
Right hand drive cars in the US are not fun. I had a 66 Jaguar Mk (something or other) years ago, RHD. It was akin to playing a video game when driving it on the streets of South Florida.
I reckon it can be a challenge, driving a right-hand drive car. I’ve never driven one before. I’ve always wanted to. We have used RHD mail delivery vehicles one could buy.
Personally never had a problem driving on the other side but being a passenger where the steering wheel should be is more unnerving lol , there’s a company in Australia fitting these V12s into Supras & whatever else customers want
I remember riding as a passenger in a RHD driven car while I was in the UK. It felt weird at first riding where there’s usually the steering wheel normally is. I remember thinking “what the hell am I doing on this side of the car? Shouldn’t the steering wheel, pedals, controls, be here?”
But where to find the Toyota V-12 zen master?
Japan lol , anyone that specialises in Japanese cars would be importing by the container , readily available apparently
I wonder how much it would cost to change the timing belt(s)??
I am a huge fan of Toyota and Honda late 80’s and early 90’s cars and vans…and trucks.
I always felt that better computers build better cars because they can get the clearance tolerances down to a science….just my opinions….😊…happy bidding everyone….
Good question. I love Japanese cars of the 1970s to the 1990s. For some reason, not all Toyotas were offered here in the USA, damned if I know why. Among my favourites are the Toyota Crown, the Toyota Century, the Nissan President, the Nissan Cedric and Gloria (in some markets, the Cedric is marketed as the Datsun 260C and the Nissan 300C). It would’ve been interesting to be able to drive these cars.
Chaser Cresta Gloria are great cars. The latter have been sold
in Europe in homeopathic numbers. Rock solid Toyota technique
with velours heaven interior and all goodies too.
Chain driven, I believe.
Chaser Cresta Gloria are great cars. The latter have been sold
in Europe in homeopathic numbers. Rock solid Toyota technique
with velours heaven interior and all goodies too.
It’s a shame these cars weren’t sold here in the USA.