4 Lexus Collectibles That are Too Hard To Find
Since standards can change according to the market and time, collecting cars can be a very a fickle hobby. Recently, we’ve seen how even some of the most common older Lexus vehicles are being considered collectible, but today we’ll focus on those that are especially hard to find, shrouded in legend and are considered Lexus’s rarest finds.
1. First Generation Lexus ES 250
Not all cars on this list have a secretly great story, this car, for example, is pretty generic. When Lexus was first created, Toyota led the department utilizing the LS 400 to be a solid V8 full-sized coupe. Wanting to add a little more variation to the brand, Lexus decided to add an additional smaller, mid-sized model to the lineup and thus, the ES 250 was born. The problem, however, was the ES 250 was not as luxurious as initially promised. Instead, it was a slightly better Camry. The body lines were not at all attractive, and with the exception of some interior pieces and audio equipment, it was very much the same as a Toyota Camry.
As expected, it didn't do so well with sales and eventually, the car was replaced by the ES 300 which pulled design cues from the Toyota Vista. It was recorded to have sold just under 20,000 models over time. However, it's expected that many folks decided got rid of these cars, making them pretty hard to find.
>>Join the conversation about on 4 Lexus Collectible Vehicles That Are Hard to Find right here in the Club Lexus Forum!
2. Neiman Marcus Edition SC430 (Silver Belle)
Have you ever woken up, feeling like you want to treat yourself? Back in 2001, Lexus produced and sold its first ever convertible, the SC 430. Needless to say, it did fantastically well, selling out very quickly and producing an eight-month waiting list. In lieu of all the created hype, Lexus took this opportunity to release a special edition SC 430, which was only available in one color and came with an exclusive set of options. This SC 430 was known as the Silver Belle, and sold as a 99 unit production run and only through the Neiman Marcus Christmas Book. Some of its most notable options included a retractable hardtop, chrome trim, numbered nameplate and unique floor mats.
>>Join the conversation about on 4 Lexus Collectible Vehicles That Are Hard to Find right here in the Club Lexus Forum!
3. 2012 Lexus LFA Nurburgring Package
The LFA is already coveted by the masses. Its overall futuristic and functional design, take engine performance to an entirely new level. The Nurburgring Package decided to kick it up a notch, starting with a better-tuned engine that increased its overall power to 562 horsepower. The transmission was also revitalized, increasing its overall shift speed. This special model was only available in a limited run of 50 cars. Those that were lucky enough to purchase one were also given a free one-year pass to drive the car on the Nurburgring track.
>>Join the conversation about on 4 Lexus Collectible Vehicles That Are Hard to Find right here in the Club Lexus Forum!
4. Lexus Prototype HotRod
In the late 1990’s Chrysler tried to recreate the market for factory built hotrods with their Prowler line. Considered a poorly built example, with particularly shoddy suspension system and clutch design, the Prowler did understandably terrible in sales. However, it still managed to grab the attention of Lexus, prompting them to create their own version.
Thus, this Ford inspired a remake of a hotrod was born, featuring a 400 horsepower modified GS400 engine. The exterior and interior all paid homage to its Ford inspiration, featuring a candy red paint job and tan leather interior, complimented with staggered chrome wheels. While it's definitely a cool ride, it unfortunately never made it to public production. Instead, Lexus used this a marketing display making this the only one in existence.
>>Join the conversation about on 4 Lexus Collectible Vehicles That Are Hard to Find right here in the Club Lexus Forum!
Check out the how- to sections of ClubLexus.com for help with keeping your car running right.
