My first postings of my 97 Platinum ES
07-10-03, 12:02 PM
#1
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My first postings of my 97 Platinum ES
Hello All!
I started posting last night but wanted to share some pics of my 97 ES 300 Platinum Edition Lexus. I know what your thinking! There was NO Platinum Edition ES 300 in 97. UNTIL NOW! I've been working on the transformation now for a year. Here is where I'm at.
2003 Toyota Avalon Chrome Wheels (Also on 2000-2001 Platinum series.
2001 Platinum Badges
2001 Chrome Grill
2001 Red and Clear Tails on the way via UPS.
Satellite Radio System (kicks)
Hopfully in the next six months I will be off to the paint shop for a 2001 front bumper.
Matt
I started posting last night but wanted to share some pics of my 97 ES 300 Platinum Edition Lexus. I know what your thinking! There was NO Platinum Edition ES 300 in 97. UNTIL NOW! I've been working on the transformation now for a year. Here is where I'm at.
2003 Toyota Avalon Chrome Wheels (Also on 2000-2001 Platinum series.
2001 Platinum Badges
2001 Chrome Grill
2001 Red and Clear Tails on the way via UPS.
Satellite Radio System (kicks)
Hopfully in the next six months I will be off to the paint shop for a 2001 front bumper.
Matt
I have the same color looks great!
07-10-03, 04:12 PM
#3
Lexus Fanatic
Hello Matt, welcome to ClubLexus! The Platinum Edition conversion looks very cool, especially with the wheels, looks so right 
Got black pearl emblems on it too? Let's see more daytime pics under the sun! 
Got black pearl emblems on it too? Let's see more daytime pics under the sun!
07-10-03, 04:27 PM
#4
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Originally posted by LexDiamond
where did u get the 01 tails? how much?
where did u get the 01 tails? how much?
Your car is lookin nice, keep us updated, and be sure to post more pics when the taillights get installed!
07-10-03, 09:46 PM
#6
Lexus Test Driver
Looks very clean, Matt. I applaud your classy choice of mods, I myself am a big fan of little things that modernize the car (my favorite mod, even above my rims, might be my auto-dimming mirror with compass and HomeLink).. People see that hi-tech looking mirror, and think the car is an '01, not a '96
On a similar theme to yours, I was fortunate enough to find a set of nice Coach Edition seats in a nearby salvage yard in the right year and color for $152. Despite having the seats, I decided against rebadging, because I decided if I wanted to do that, I would need the Coach rims (still had the stock 15" at the time), the Black Pearl badges, and the new floormats to complete the package.
I nearly bought those Platinum Edition wheels for my 96 (in the brushed aluminum finish), but I wanted 17" wheels for the handling. I parked next to a white Platinum ES this evening, and was admiring the wheels. Are you planning any interior upgrades, such as a wood steering wheel, auto-dimming mirror, and wood around the stereo and climate controls, to make the interior like an 00-01? Are you going to the black pearl badges?
Keep up the good work and welcome to CL
On a similar theme to yours, I was fortunate enough to find a set of nice Coach Edition seats in a nearby salvage yard in the right year and color for $152. Despite having the seats, I decided against rebadging, because I decided if I wanted to do that, I would need the Coach rims (still had the stock 15" at the time), the Black Pearl badges, and the new floormats to complete the package.
I nearly bought those Platinum Edition wheels for my 96 (in the brushed aluminum finish), but I wanted 17" wheels for the handling. I parked next to a white Platinum ES this evening, and was admiring the wheels. Are you planning any interior upgrades, such as a wood steering wheel, auto-dimming mirror, and wood around the stereo and climate controls, to make the interior like an 00-01? Are you going to the black pearl badges?
Keep up the good work and welcome to CL
Last edited by squarehat; 07-10-03 at 09:48 PM.
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07-11-03, 04:19 AM
#8
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Re: 97 Platinum
Originally posted by mmeeker
I'm planning on all of those upgrades. It is hard finding all of the pieces but I'm on the right track.
I'm planning on all of those upgrades. It is hard finding all of the pieces but I'm on the right track.
what do you need help finding?
07-11-03, 09:42 PM
#9
Lexus Test Driver
Black Pearl badges= available at dealer. I was quoted $221 for the set for my 96 when I was considering my full Coach conversion.
Wood wheel= 3 options. First (and most expensive)= buy one at the dealer for about $1200 (ouch). Second= they pop up on eBay from time to time, but it's a waiting game for the color you want. Third= have your stock wheel converted by American Stitches (a firm that comes highly recommended by CL members). Costs about $400-500, depending on if a CL group buy is in effect at a given time. Downside to the conversion is doing without a car, unless you can find a wheel at a salvage yard to use as a temp or to have the conversion done to. The wheel on my friend's '00 Corolla looks the same shape as the 97-01 ES minus the leather, and would be easier and cheaper to find at a salvage yard than an ES wheel. You could also look for a 97-01 Camry wheel, which also appears to be the same shape.
Wood around climate control/stereo= many wood kit firms exist, aaaexoticwood.com is good because they offer kits with real wood, and will sell individual pieces out of a kit. Downside--the aftermarket wood pieces have cutouts to let the labels show through, unlike the factory pieces, where the labels are silkscreened onto the wood. I was quoted $94 from them for the set of the four pieces around the window controls, like you have standard on your 97.
Dimming mirror: The 00-01 used a headliner mount mirror (similar to the current LS, SC, and GS), that would be tough to retrofit. You're better off buying the mirror used on the 02 to current ES, it mounts on your existing windshield button, and has a compass, to boot. Cost= $99 through a dealership in Texas.
Wood wheel= 3 options. First (and most expensive)= buy one at the dealer for about $1200 (ouch). Second= they pop up on eBay from time to time, but it's a waiting game for the color you want. Third= have your stock wheel converted by American Stitches (a firm that comes highly recommended by CL members). Costs about $400-500, depending on if a CL group buy is in effect at a given time. Downside to the conversion is doing without a car, unless you can find a wheel at a salvage yard to use as a temp or to have the conversion done to. The wheel on my friend's '00 Corolla looks the same shape as the 97-01 ES minus the leather, and would be easier and cheaper to find at a salvage yard than an ES wheel. You could also look for a 97-01 Camry wheel, which also appears to be the same shape.
Wood around climate control/stereo= many wood kit firms exist, aaaexoticwood.com is good because they offer kits with real wood, and will sell individual pieces out of a kit. Downside--the aftermarket wood pieces have cutouts to let the labels show through, unlike the factory pieces, where the labels are silkscreened onto the wood. I was quoted $94 from them for the set of the four pieces around the window controls, like you have standard on your 97.
Dimming mirror: The 00-01 used a headliner mount mirror (similar to the current LS, SC, and GS), that would be tough to retrofit. You're better off buying the mirror used on the 02 to current ES, it mounts on your existing windshield button, and has a compass, to boot. Cost= $99 through a dealership in Texas.
07-13-03, 08:04 PM
#11
Lexus Fanatic
It looks like Lexus "L" center caps on his wheels. He mentioned that the wheels came from the Toyota Avalon, but also resemble the Platinum version of the ES, so I think both the Toyota and Lexus center caps fit in those wheels.
07-13-03, 09:54 PM
#13
Lexus Test Driver
Originally posted by HoeBag
is it the lexus L or the infamous upside down 7?
is it the lexus L or the infamous upside down 7?
07-13-03, 09:59 PM
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Lexus Platinum Wheels
Hello,
Let me clarify on the wheels for you. First, these are the same wheels as on the 2000-2001 Platinum ES300. Toyota re-introduced them this year on the 2003 Avalon. They have Lexus emblems in them. Note that Lexus Platinum wheels are not chrome. These are!
If you want a set of your own call Jeff at Wheel Solutions. 714-940-1799. They were $750.00 for the set of 4 with the center Lexus caps. I also noticed when I was in his shop he has a huge stock of Lexus wheels. In-fact I saw 20 take off's from IS300's with the tires on them!
Matt
Let me clarify on the wheels for you. First, these are the same wheels as on the 2000-2001 Platinum ES300. Toyota re-introduced them this year on the 2003 Avalon. They have Lexus emblems in them. Note that Lexus Platinum wheels are not chrome. These are!
If you want a set of your own call Jeff at Wheel Solutions. 714-940-1799. They were $750.00 for the set of 4 with the center Lexus caps. I also noticed when I was in his shop he has a huge stock of Lexus wheels. In-fact I saw 20 take off's from IS300's with the tires on them!
Matt
07-14-03, 07:31 AM
#15
Lexus Fanatic
I remember seeing a set of wheels like that on aaarims.com and Ebay long time ago. Although I was tempted to purchase them at that time when I had my '96 ES, I couldn't get over the conjuring suspicion that they seem like replicas, and not OEM. Still, to the eyes of the average person, there's no question that they can be recognized as premium Lexus wheels