You're quite welcome.
Funny because the car as it stands already has a lower, somewhat wide yet sleek profile, and the color combination and angle does give it a "coupe-ish" look.
Lexus just really got it right with this car.
Good deal, looks very nicely done, its unique, as the LS is already a car you don't see very often, and you seem to take great care of it and enjoy it.
I agree about completely de-badging a car, as it can give a cheap/lost feel.
Regarding the badges though, I wasn't aware that imports were "given" additional badges once they reached N.A.

 

That Coupe-ish look as you pointed out is very distinctive in the rear of the car especially on white because white doesn't hide body lines . One thing you will see is that the top doesn't follow the body and reconstructs the rear pillar to be shorter and steeper. Where it meets with the trunk exposes those very sharp distinct lines that are somewhat hidden on the LS. From a design perspective it gives it that controversial Chris Bangle stance which is very different.

In regard to badges there are a few imports that were re-badged . Case in post is the Holden Monaro which we come to know as the Pontiac GTO . Most people would never guess it's an import. The other car I own is an MR-S which was re-badge as a Spyder. On the front they added the Toyota cowboy hat when the actual car came with a beautiful origami badge with a bird on it. North American marketing people suck.

 

Again, you are dead on with the body lines on the LS.
I was washing it yesterday, and occasionally (in the past as well as last evening), i'll take a step back and slowly walk around the car. I have to say, me personally, my favorotie angle to view the car is from dead front, angled from the back looking forward and a view from the rear. And that is nearly exactly, as you pointed out, when the car displays its low sleek profile.
Its beautiful.
Luckily for me the sun was still out a bit and it was just washed so I was able to really see the contours due to light reflection, but as you accurately stated, when light is dim and since I have a darker vehicle, the lines can get lost in the flow of the car.
Call me strange, but I actually enjoy getting close and visually analyzing the car and observing the line/design transitions and how they begin and blend to disappear or transition into another contour.
I'll be googling Chris Bangle shortly...
Pontic GTO; an import?? Had no idea!
Im sure there's no need for me to go into the ideals of the monster that can be N.A.'s branding/marketing mechanisms, but indeed its a known fact that we can really screw up a good thing in an attempt to do what they consider a better "cleaner" image, or simply, "Americanizing"

 

Just know that Chris Bangle was so ahead of his time that he was was considered controversial. His designs actually grew on people who initially thought they were ugly although a case can still be made the the 7 series of that era is still ugly. The whole industry eventually adopted and emulated his designs including Lexus/Toyota. All of the great designers get their due for being bold and original after they get ridiculed.

 

I think you guys are right. I zapped out the fin and now it looks tight.
It looks like I have a new project.

 

...and I thought it couldn't appear more coupe-like...

 

Your LS is so distinctive and sharp the fin isn't a distraction it just blends in. What will you substitute or do if you decide to remove it because it's there for a reason?

 

I would never consider removing the fin and to be honest I don't think it can be removed because the top is tightly fitted.
What I want to try is a stitched stretchy material in the shape of a cone. The material will stretch around the contours and leave no gaps on the fin. If that doesn't work then I will try adhesive wrap in semi flat black.

 

This is an interesting thread. My LS came with pinstripes (dealer installed - according to service history at the request of previous owner). I personally didn't like it and would like to remove it without any damages to paint / clear coat. Took it to a professional detailing shop and they said it can't be removed due to 'something' being applied on top Couldn't get what exactly he said was applied.

Until I started reading this thread, didn't realize that some cars do come with factory installed pinstripes and yes my ES is one of them. Owing it for more than 15 years and never paid attention to it as the pinstripes nicely gel with white paint.

Pictures of both dealer installed and factory installed pinstripes are attached.

 

I just had a look at your pinstripes compared to mine and it's similar but at the same time very different. The pattern on yours seems to be wider and one strip is thicker then the other.
Mine also has "lexus" near the front door. It almost looks like someone tried to copy the pin striping.