The perfect present for the car enthusiast who has “everything,” this immaculate 1997 Toyota Century could be the most unusual car in your neighborhood. The Irmo, South Carolina classic boasts a V12 engine and enough buttons and wood trim to make a Maybach owner envious. The posh Century can be yours for $19,950 here on Facebook Marketplace. For the price of a stripped-down Kia Soul, you could own this Yakuza-mobile, demanding absolute loyalty from your minions. Buying a 1981 Imperial strangely didn’t impress my wife or daughters, but maybe the next owner of this outrageous right-hand-drive V12 Toyota will have better luck.
Enthusiasts of a certain age may recall that presenting operators with a matrix of nearly identical rectangular buttons *was* luxury in the late ’90s, and this Toyota may take the cake with this flip-down cup holder and giant remote control plus the arm-rest command center. “Look after Mr. Bond; see that some harm comes to him.”
The steering wheel and other driver controls may have been lifted from a Civic, but that probably means they’ll keep working for 470,000 miles. Despite showing 202 km and change (about 126,000 miles), the cloth upholstery and interior plastics show minimal wear.
Tip your hat to the seller for making this unusual beauty look its best. Most Americans associate “Century” with Buick, but near the end of the last millennium, many brands cashed in on the turning of the century with end-of-century names and models ending in “000,” etc. The end of this car, subdued but stately, suggests luxury without gaudy “look at me” frills.
Buyers looking for the authentic Japanese luxury experience may not appreciate the “Work Euroline” wheels. The latter clearly move the styling meter from “Head of State” to “Head of Hip-Hop Record Label.” Simply change them if that’s not you.
Whoa! That’s luxury when you can jettison the front seat passenger and stretch out after a long day of inking multi-million dollar contracts or deciding who lives and dies. Checkerboard floor mats represent the strangest departure from the otherwise conservative interior, but I could contain my shock if you told me the chess board pattern was all the rage in the Land of the Rising Sun, circa 1997. Though not pictured in the listing, the 1GZ-FE V12 makes 295 HP and 355 lb-ft of torque, and features two engine computers, one for each bank of six cylinders, affording six-cylinder operation if one CPU fails. Thanks to Wikipedia for some details. While high rollers like the Mercedes-Benz S600 make almost twice the horsepower from their V12s, I suspect most diplomats prefer adequate acceleration while enjoying a cup of Earl Grey. As strange as it sounds, I wouldn’t immediately put myself in the “never” category as a buyer on this unusual ride. Will your posse show proper respect when you roll up in this V12 Toyota?
Whoa, what a crazy machine, nice job, Todd! Can you $#$! believe that on a V12 Toyota listing THERE IS NO ENGINE PHOTO?! Sadly, I can believe it. What a car, though.
I’ve never seen one of these. It’s like a Japanese Rolls Royce. So, if you own a Toyota like this, do you pull up, roll the window down and ask, “pardon me but, do you have any Shoyu,” instead of Grey Poupon? Interesting car. Again, I learned something new on BF.
Here’s a fixer upper:
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/7126844770693617/
Very cool but where are the embroidered partial seat covers? Stating the obvious, but this Crown is much more reliable than a Rolls or Bentley half it’s age. I’m sure the “guys” at the local Toyota service department would get a kick looking a Crown over.
Epic machine. Only can imagine how a 12cyl Toyota purrs. Interior is sublime. 🙌
I think Toyota just stopped making these in the last few years. I was in Tokyo just before the pandemic and saw one on display – they are on par with Rolls Royce and understated in that Japanese way that lets you know that they are absolutely serious about what they are up to. The wheels have to go, but what a cool car!
A V12 dishwasher/toaster/washer from the world’s largest whitegoods maker.
It reminds us of a rogue nation dictator’s limo, on the old Mission Impossible series.
Really, what a special car. I don’t care what car show—other than Pebble Beach, and it’s a *concours*—this would be a, if not THE—star. And for $20k, no doubt it would sell for at least that when you decide to put your money somewhere else.
I’m sorry but it’s bland, invisible and the V12 offers no advantages beyond d bragging rights.
First glance I thought half Caddy half Lincoln.
I saw one of these in Hawaii about 15 years ago. I was blown away, if I was closer to SC. I’d be tempted to go check it out.
Perfect drivertrain and even interior to put in that Lincoln zephyr
truly a rare car and interesting one. i guess if you don’t like the price buy the other one oh yeh only one i have ever seen. would like to see the motor though very significant and intracal part of this car i would think
Why do people comment on BF just to say how much they don’t car and essentially ridicule those who may like or don’t it interesting?
When I saw the interior, “Maybach” came to mind.
Going to the American drive-thru restaurant window must be fun..