http://pressroom.toyota.com/photo_li...id=2004sc430_h

MILESTONES

* May 1991 - Lexus expands its product line to three models with the addition of the SC 400 sport coupe. Designed at Calty Design in Newport Beach, Calif., the stunning coupe shares the tradition of Lexus luxury and adds a healthy dose of sport.

* June 1991 - The SC 400 goes on sale.

* Aug. 1991 - The SC 300 sport coupe, which features a 3.0-liter inline-six engine, joins the Lexus family.

* Sept. 1997 - The classic SC 400/300 sport coupes receive improved performance for the 1998 model year with the addition of Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i) in both six and eight-cylinder engines and a five-speed automatic transmission in the SC 400.

* Oct. 1999 - Lexus unveils the Lexus Sport Coupe concept vehicle at the Tokyo International Motor Show.

* April 2000 - Lexus announces plans for the SC 430 convertible at the New York Auto Show.

* Jan. 2001 - Lexus unveils the second-generation SC, the SC 430, at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

* March 2001 - The all-new SC 430 hardtop convertible goes on sale with a bank of sold orders through the end of the year.

* Oct. 2001 - A special edition SC 430 "Silver Belle" is offered through the 2001 Neiman Marcus Christmas Book. All 99 vehicles are sold within 14 hours. One vehicle is auctioned via the Internet with the proceeds going to the American Red Cross in honor of the September 11 terrorist attack victims.

* October 2001 - The SC 430 CART/Fed Ex Championship Series Pace Car debuts at the Texaco-Havoline Grand Prix in Houston.

* June 2003 - "Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines" opens in movie theaters and the SC 430 hardtop convertible is driven by the villainous "Terminatrix," played by Kristanna Loken.

* August 2003 - To commemorate the Lexus' partnership with the Pebble Beach Resorts, an SC 430 Pebble Beach Special Edition of the retractable hard-top convertible is introduced with a limited run of 400 units. The special edition features exclusive Azure Metallic paint, Azure painted aluminum whells, Ecru leather interior with black walnut wood trim, special badging and blue illuminated doorsill scuff plates.

AWARDS AND RECOGNITION

* Nov. 1991 - The SC 400 makes the honor rolls of Car and Driver, Automobile, Popular Science and Playboy magazines.

* Feb. 1992 - The SC 400 is named "Import Car of the Year" by Motor Trend and by the Motoring Press Association.

* Dec. 1992 - SC 300 is named to the Car and Driver "10 Best" list and Automobile's "All-Star" list.

* Dec. 1992 - SC 400 named one of Motor Trend's "Best Buys."

* March 1993 - American Automobile Association (AAA) names the SC 300 as the best 1993 model in its price range.

* Dec. 1993 - SC 300 is named to the Car and Driver "10 Best" list and Automobile's "All-Star" list for the second year in a row.

* May 1994 - The SC coupes finish third (behind the LS and GS) in J.D. Power and Associates' Initial Quality Study (IQS).

* Jan. 1995 - Car and Driver names SC 300 one of 1995's "10 Best" cars.

* Feb. 1995 - SC 300 is designated one of Automobile magazine's "All-Stars."

* June 1996 - Lexus again tops the J.D. Power and Associates IQS. The SC 400/300 Coupes scored a noteworthy 45 problems per 100 cars, the best single vehicle model in the study.

* May 2002 - SC 430 ranks second, after the Lexus LS 430, in the premium luxury car category of the J.D. Power and Associates Initial Quality Study.

* November 2002 - SC 300/400 takes third place in the premium luxury car segment of J.D. Power and Associates' Vehicle Dependability Study.

* February 2003 - The SC 430 wins the Automotive Market Environmental Superiority (AMES) Award in the sport car category. The AMES awards were created to help encourage customers to purchase AMES awarded vehicles to assist in the reduction of fuel consumption and emission of greenhouse gases.

* May 2003 - SC 430 ranks second, after the LS 430, in the premium luxury cars category of the J.D. Power and Associates 2003 Initial Quality Study

 

 

Great find 1SICK, I always love reading new things about the SC! FAQ-worthy!!

 

Thanks ya'll. I see a lot of these new car owners forgetting how the SC really changed the game coupe-wise. Not to mention all the accolades.

 

good looking out mike.

 

how did I know you would like that part!

This just reminds me what a impact the SC made when it debuted over a decade ago!! to the design team on that vehicle!!

 

thanks Mike!

So true...

Dgot...whatcha doing man?

Oh oh...the cover is on

 

I noticed a little interview in AutoWeek with someone at Toyota design (can't remember who) who said that one of the most influential cars in Toyota history was the SC. Said something about how it changed the face of luxury automobiles; with its curves and grillless nose. Wish I could remember better, but it's nice to hear that your car is the pinnacle of Toyota design...

 

Just found it. It's from AutoWeek and it's an interview with Toyota global designer Simon Humphries:

AW: What you consider to be the iconic Toyota designs?

Humphries: The original Lexus SC was quite an iconic design. That was a very advanced product in its own right. It did all sorts of things that we don’t even do now, not just in terms of proportion but also the design of the vehicle. It didn’t have a grille on it and it was a luxury car. And the interior as well—it was an absolutely stunning interior, I think. Even by today’s standards, that interior is unmatched.

Full article: http://autoweek.com/search/search_di...01916&record=6

 

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This car was not only one of the most influential design in toyota's history, but in the history of cars in general. The SC is a completely unique and gorgeous design that is VERY widely imitated. Ford probes, Ford ZX2 escorts, honda civic del sols, even the S2000s all share alot of styling cues with the lexus sports car. Its just that awesome.

 

I got to drive the Silver Belle edition. I was selling cars for a local Lexus dealer when a customer of ours won it on auction. It was deliverd to our place for him. (In case you didn't know, they coulod only be won by auction through Neman Marcus). That car was pretty cool. It had a red engine cover, red seats, special badging, etc.

 

THATS ****IN DOPE!!! I LOVE MY CAR EVEN MORE NOW!!!!

 

Makes me look down at other cars now. LOL.