What looks like a clean Lexus coupe with aftermarket wheels and fat rear tires is a 10-second monster in disguise.
The Z30 Lexus SC300 was the Japanese luxury automaker’s first attempt at a sports coupe and this Toyota Soarer-based machine proved to be a strong first step towards the company’s current two-door lineup. While the SC300 was a solid performer and fun to drive in stock form, the 2JZ could be upgraded to transform the curvy luxury coupe into a wicked performance machine.
Today, we bring you an example of one such Lexus SC300 from the ImportRace YouTube channel and in this footage, the luxury coupe stomps the all-American Ford Mustang GT in a quarter mile duel at Cecil County Raceway.
The Machines
Sadly, there are no details on either car, but someone in the comment section is insisting that this SC300 is powered by a turbocharged LSX that is owned by an Instagrammer, but in looking at the two cars, we do not believe that this is the LSX-powered Lexus in question. Also, when you listed to this SC300 launch, it doesn’t sound like a boosted LSX, but it does sound like some sort of smaller engine making monster power.
Perhaps this Lexus is packing a boosted 2JZ, but we don’t know for sure. All we know is that this luxury coupe gets down the track in a hurry, crushing what is likely a stock Ford Mustang GT from the “New Edge” era. Based on what the pony car runs, it is stock or near-stock, so it isn’t a fair fight, but that doesn’t take away from the amazing performance of the dark red Lexus.
The Battle
The video begins with the Mustang sitting at the starting line, waiting for the Lexus to get into the beams. Once both cars are staged, the lights come down and on green, the Mustang gets away first and hops out to an early lead, but it doesn’t last long.
The SC300 driver seemingly left soft, but right around the 60-foot mark, the Lexus appears to be pulling with full force, blasting past the Ford and roaring off into the distance. On the big end, the Lexus runs a 10.83 at 139.1 miles per hour while the Mustang runs a balmy 13.37 at 106.5 miles per hour.
"Before I was old enough to walk, my dad was taking me to various types of racing events, from local drag racing to the Daytona 500," says Patrick Rall, a lifetime automotive expert, diehard Dodge fan, and respected auto journalist for over 10 years. "He owned a repair shop and had a variety of performance cars when I was young, but by the time I was 16, he was ready to build me my first drag car – a 1983 Dodge Mirada that ran low 12s. I spent 10 years traveling around the country, racing with my dad by my side. While we live in different areas of the country, my dad still drag races at 80 years old in the car that he built when I was 16 while I race other vehicles, including my 2017 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and my 1972 Dodge Demon 340.
"Although I went to college for accounting, my time in my dad’s shop growing up allowed me the knowledge to spend time working as a mechanic before getting my accounting degree, at which point I worked in the office of a dealership group. While I was working in the accounting world, I continued racing and taking pictures of cars at the track. Over time, I began showing off those pictures online and that led to my writing.
"Ten years ago, I left the accounting world to become a full-time automotive writer and I am living proof that if you love what you do, you will never “work” a day in your life," adds Rall, who has clocked in time as an auto mechanic, longtime drag racer and now automotive journalist who contributes to nearly a dozen popular auto websites dedicated to fellow enthusiasts.
"I love covering the automotive industry and everything involved with the job. I was fortunate to turn my love of the automotive world into a hobby that led to an exciting career, with my past of working as a mechanic and as an accountant in the automotive world provides me with a unique perspective of the industry.
"My experience drag racing for more than 20 years coupled with a newfound interest in road racing over the past decade allows me to push performance cars to their limit, while my role as a horse stable manager gives me vast experience towing and hauling with all of the newest trucks on the market today.
Where do you go for answers when you have a Lexus with a gorgeous leather interior but are not sure about how to maintain that luxurious look? The "Club Lexus" forums, of course.
