If you thought that the Lexus was the most luxurious car built by Toyota, you’d be ignoring the Century. Still in production today, the Century is a series of full-size luxury sedans (now SUVs) and limos built mostly for consumption on its home turf in Japan. This nice, but well-used survivor has right-hand drive, so it was likely imported by an owner. Located now in Englishtown, New Jersey, this Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous kind of car is available here on eBay where the current bidding is at $4,100.
Century production began in 1967 and the vehicles are just now entering their third generation in the form of an SUV rather than a sedan. The car’s name was given as a nod to the 100th birthday of Toyota’s founder. Just over 9,500 copies have been built in the past 57 years and can often be found in the service of the Imperial House of Japan and with other important government and industrial leaders. It’s considered to be on par with luxury vehicles like the Rolls-Royce.
This generation of the Century was powered by a 5.0-liter V12 engine, the only car of its kind in Japan to have one and it was Toyota’s first crack at a 12-cylinder engine. Horsepower is rated at a minimum of 276 and the vehicle uses a 4-speed A342E automatic transmission. Most Century’s have stayed in Japan although Toyota has built a few for export that have left-hand-drive (this car is not one of them).
The seller’s Century has the equivalent of 164,000 miles, so it is a well-used machine. It looks good overall with only a scratch or scrape here and there and a small dent in the rear bumper. Because it was built for the home market, its VIN does not conform to the 17-digit format. We don’t know the history of this vehicle and if it was in service to anyone noteworthy. The seller says the tires are “aged” which implies the Toyota hasn’t seen much action in recent years.
But if you want to drive around in style and spoil the passengers who ride in the back, this transport looks to be right up there with a Rolls. It has a dual EMV package (video screens), and we’re told one of the airbags seems to be sitting lower than the others (perhaps deployed and then replaced?). Besides tires, the only other things that you might need to get replaced are the valve cover gaskets (probably leaking). Would your local Toyota dealer work on this car?
Where you gonna find another, right? That includes parts. Given how Japan doesn’t like keeping old stuff like this around you better have a connection. After that you’ll be driving an interesting car that you can talk about with the experts.
Duncan Imports had a whole row of these when I was down there last time.
Interesting,but didn’t really make want to take a closer look at them.
This is the ONLY Toyota that has ever taken my interest. But it figures that a luxury sedan would be turned into a glorified truck! Seems to be the rule of the times 👎
Dixon, you forgot to mention..
Don’t pass the grey poupon 🇬🇧 , pass the wasabi 😲😃🇯🇵
The SUV is an addition to the Century line, not a replacement for the sedan. Both are currently available.
Gotta love those lace curtains!
Walk into an O’Reilly and tell them you need (air cleaner, anything) for a ’97 Toyota V-12.
I think these have air bag suspension and believe that may be the airbag that hangs lower?
Take this interior and drive train and put in that old 39 Lincoln with the missing engine and wa la
The side view of how the roof line meets the 1/4 looks like the 1982-1987 Lincoln Continentals.
Or a Rolls Seraph, is that spelled right?
Maybe I missed something in car talk,but what is the reason for the outside mirrors to be on the fenders? And do you need twenty twenty vision to see out of them?
Japanese regulations. Eliminates blind spots
was the crown the up model of old (when 1st comin to our shores)?
If so it’s been merican-ized (longer wider taller & vee twelved)
or
may B I should say
american-sized…
Drifters would want the big engine for their celicas ?
Drifters would want the big engine for their celicas ?
Claudio your reply is twice as nice👍LOL
As of Friday evening 1/12/24 the bid price is $5,300. I seriously doubt you can import one from Japan for that kind of money, the shipping cost alone will probably top the selling price!