Not surprising at all. Many people, including me, consider the 1Gen SC's styling beautiful......especially compared to its awkward-looking, TT-like successor. The 1Gen model offered both in-line six and V8 models, unlike its successor. Also, not as many SCs were built as the more popular ES, LS, and GS models.

 

my vote goes to a 100% stock, unmolested super low mileage '06 IS350. imo, that was a ground breaking model for Lexus, and it launched the most successful life cycle in Lexus history in 2IS. but of course i'm biased

 

The first generation LS by a landslide. The car redefined the luxury segment, and compares favourably to many cars made today.

 

True, the IS350, did not (and still does not) sell in anywhere near the numbers of the 250, (particularly the popular 250AWD), which, in my book, would help to make it somewhat more of a classic. But when one looks at why Lexus actually brought out that model, it was mostly an attempt to cut in on some of the thriving BMW 335i's market. Whether one could call the last-generation 335i a classic was (and is) debatable...for street-driving, it was, IMO, easily the best of all the 3-Series (IMO,even more so than the substantially more expensive M3)...with the M3 probably being better and more suited to a track. But, of course, like I just said, for a car with the 335's sales numbers to be called a true classic is probably debatable.

 

The SC has more history then any other Lexus Vehicle. The Soarer badge dates back to the early 80s others such as the LS /Toyota Celsior and GS / Aristo date back to Mid 80s- Early 90s. We didnt get the SC/Soarer in the states untill Japan's 3rd generation our "1st Gen".

That alone give the SC/Soarer model a edge as the 1st Lexus Classic

 

This means that the very first pre-production cars rolled of the (pre-production) line in late 1988. And pre-production does not mean 1 or 2 cars but hundred-or-so cars.

 

Couldn't have said it any better.. I'd give it to the SC300/400s and then the 2IS... both will be considered classics in the future

 

I don't know what I said the first time I replied in this thread but here's how I feel now.

The LS400 is the first classic because it was the first Lexus. What a car it was. They got it right and we know that because look where we are now. It if failed, Lexus would have failed. LS400 is numero uno!

Next is the SC300/400. I still believe its the best car Lexus ever made.
It set the stage for what has become what we want most in our cars. Style, sport, luxury, reliability...all it needed was more power. It broke ground and created the future.

There are no other classics in Lexus cars....yet!

 

It depends on how you count. The first and second gen Soarer were "pure" japanese design made in Japan for sale in Japan only.

The SC was designed in the US for sale in the US and based in part on LS technology which was also designed for export. The only thing "historic" with the third gen Soarer is the name and the in-line six.