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I know outside links are frowned upon, but this one seems relevant from a record-keeping standpoint. About 30 minutes from my hometown. Another lost artifact
After more research and talking to people who knew about SC / Soarer Production.... the production figures Lexus brought out is based on actual calendar dates.
They actually tracked down even 1991 productions month by month except that they declared that body style to have been produced from 1992-2002.
In short , when they say 1997 production, they refer to Jan - Dec 1997 manufactured cars. Lexus would never have access or be able to keep track of the USA DMV records , that is, they will not know when a car was actually registered in the USA. So their production numbers / info are based on the info on the door tags they put in every car and NOT when it was REGISTERED. I hope that clear things up.
you said you found out that the 120 made only included those produced in 1997, not including models produced in 1996 with the 1997 body style
this is a lot more confusing than it has to be haha. i wonder how many 97 5-spd models were produced in 96.. very interesting\
Truly I must admit even I am confused with that 120 number . I have conversed to a couple of people . Talked to a guy on the soarer world who has the production of all soarers which include the USDM SC versions where I got that answer that their table is by production year (reference is on the tag where you see the year produced) and validated by the actual VIN numbers from the assembly line for that year. To verify I even sent a note to the US Lexus people on this forum asking them about the 120 number but never got an answer from them . I guess they never thought that keeping track of the last SC300 with 5 speed transmission will be a big deal so either they didn't care to answer or they don't know. That made me start to think , where on earth was the 120 number pulled out from and where is the definitive proof or documentation. I am not saying there is no proof , I just personally haven't seen any documentation. Then other people here started floating the idea of the whole Model 1997 which include August 1996 to Dec 1996 so I said to myself I guess they are included , why not, so in my last response I tend to include them.
At the end of the day , I say screw it . It doesn't really matter ... who cares about the actual number . What matters most is you have one ! The thread as per OP's first post clearly says "1997 manufactured and with Proof" thus referring to the last batch of SC300 with W58 transmission. As long as you have a VIN tag that says 97 manufactured and W58 trans and this can be verified with the production number table that has the VIN Numbers included , then your car belong to the "1997 Manufactured SC300 with Manual Transmission" .
But I wanted to be fair to those cars which were manufactured in 1996 but are considered Model 97 (because they have the 97 look from the factory) and has w58 transmission so I started a second list for them.
You guys are over thinking this. A 97 is a car built from aug(ish)96 to aug(ish) 97. There is no difference and when Lexus refers to a year they are referring to a model year which would be the case for the 120 if that number is even true which is almost a moot point. While it is logical to conflate model and calander year, the car industry goes by model year. Sometimes there are revisions introduced mid year so early 97 vs late might apply but that isn't the case here.
An aug96 97 is just as much of a 97 as a may 97 just a few months older. Just as there is no such thing as a 91 SC400 even though they built a ton of them, they are all 92s.
Remember, the point of this thread is to catalogue them. As the spreadsheet becomes more complete we will hopefully get some concrete answers about how many 97 5 speed SC's remain and if possibly there are more than 120 total 97 5 speeds. Right now everything said is speculation or 2nd hand referential. The hope is to get a more complete picture of how many surviving 97 5 speed SC's there actually are in the US. We don't fully know if the production spreadsheet that we all refer to regarding how many 5 speed SC's of each year there are made the same distinction for calendar year, or production year; and we probably won't be ever completely able to know that due to conflicting statements we've all acquired second hand.
If this list ever exceeds 120 cars, then we'll know that the production spreadsheet was referring to calendar years, and not model years. If it never exceeds 120 then we still won't fully know due to cars crashing, being exported or abandoned etc, but we will at least have a vague idea of how many 97 5 speeds are floating around on the forum.
How do you tell the true age of your 'new' Soarer ? You cannot trust the date of its registration in a country outside Japan. Every country has their own way or time frame of model registration and car sellers often make wild claims about the age of their Soarers.
There's only one reliable method of checking your Mk 3 or Mk 4 or Soarer's (called SC in the US) age -> by looking up its serial (last 7 of VIN) number from the company Production History Tables
Here is the Official History Table for the Soarer Model: JZZ31 3.0ltr . Wherever you find your car's VIN # on the table, that is the official MANUFACTURING DATE of your car as per the Manufacturer which should coincide with what is written on the Door Tag of your car . From now on , so there are no ambiguity , since this is the official production history from the Company , it will be our reference .
So the window sticker isn't official enough? You guys are strange, while manufacturer date and calendar date are important they are not model year. Model year is modle year with a legal definition and that is listed in the VIN which is federally regulated in its construction. If a company quotes a figure production figure they are talking model years because that is how their records work.
If a car has a xxxxx vin number then that car is an xxx and that should be the official litmus test and thinking it in circles any more than that is a fools errand. It could have been made in 42 but if the company held and declared it a 97 and vin-ed it as such it is a 97 by law and would be included in official production numbers, counts and regulations pertaining to 97.
yes there can be differences from early model year cars and late (not the case with SCs) but most times companies align changes with model year for marketing purposes except for obvious safety and bulletin issues.
I suggest one google how to decipher VIN numbers if they want to learn how to tell model years apart. All that list tells you is when it was made which is already on the door card with no bearing on model year.
Here I'll help, check the 10th digit of your Vin. If it is a V Lexus thinks you have a 97 and it would be included in any counts for 97 because that what it is to Lexus and the United States government.
I don't know what you are arguing about . No one is debating that if you have a V .. you have a 1997.
We are trying to track vehicles when they actually rolled out of the production plant . We put emphasis on those that rolled out in the calendar year 1997 because it was the last year they were produced.
Exactly the reason on the list , it is said , "1996 Production but Model 1997" ... isn't that clear enough ?
# on the bottom of Door Tag - Prod Month - VIN last 7 - CL Member - Location - Modified Drivetrain ?
1997 Production Model 1997
046 - JAN - 0039598 - VInStarz - NY 289 - JAN - 0039770 - 187 - NY 097 - FEB - 0040209 - gerrb - GA ---> Yes -> 2JZGTE / V160 6speed
051 - MAR - 0040546 - soarrabun - GA 288 - MAR - 0040550 - BigBang - TX
471 - MAR - 0040561 - LexusTJT-TX 231 - MAR - 0040608 - Bramos24 - FL 927 - MAR - 0040661 - One120 - NY 223 - MAY - 1000069 - myLEXsc400 - IL 446 - MAY - 1000166 - jabbajt -LA 453 - MAY - 1000168 - xshurikx -NY
582 - MAY - 1000286 - ar3 - CA 907 - JUN - 1000374 - pdclark - MN ??? - JUN - 1000677- UniqSC - SC 921 - JUL - 1000834 - jmorando05 - NJ 940 - JUL - 1000843 - OurSC120 - NH 030 - JUL - 1000877 - Shayy - MO 046 - JUL - 1000883 - Evans4g63 - NY 812 - JUL - 1001158 - 1of120 - CA 169 - AUG - 1001324 - Brucelee28 - CA
1996 Production but 1997 Model
855 - AUG - 0037616 - ashtray - TX
793 - AUG - 0037701 - regulate - VA 072 - AUG - 0037798 - bznhornets - WA
328 - OCT - 0038170 - crypto79 - MD
@gerrb - thanks for including those with a 96 production for 97 models. i personally think those are a little cooler since they're the beginning of the last 5-speed SC300's ever produced, and the number of these models is most likely less than the amount produced in 1997
@Crypto97 your car looks fantastic with such low mileage, i'm jelly
Ezroni - you probably are right , there are probably less 5 speed SC300 from August 1996 to December 1996 than January 1997 to July or August 1997. If you can tell us where you found the car whose VIN you wrote , it will be nice so we can add more info on the list.
My97SC300 / ISFFUN - Please don't get me wrong if your name is not added until I get a PM or posted snapshot picture of that door tag to verify the production month and VIN Number. If you want to erase the first 10 digits of the VIN before you send a picture , please do so. But we need the picture to show the last 7 digits of the VIN and production month/year as proof.
For those who hasn't provided a snapshot picture of the door tag , please do so if you want your name to stay on the list. I am trying to build up a list as reliably as I can . We don't want to maintain a list just because somebody said I have this without a verification through the Factory History Table and it's door tag . I know it is hard to maintain a true credible one cause some people who have sold their car would not come back and let us know that they don't have it anymore. We only get to know it was sold if someone claims that he bought the car. Like I know someone on the list right now who already sold the car but current owner isn't on the list yet. Some will never say it was wrecked or already salvaged by the insurance. It is tough but we will maintain the list as reliably as we can . I am adding a list of some cars that should belong to this list but do not have info if they belong to members here. I will try to comb through this website and update that list.
If there is anyone who can point to an OFFICIAL Publication from Toyota / Lexus saying how many SC300 5 speed where manufactured from January 1997 - August 1997 and August 1996 - Dec 1996 , it will be nice....trying to figure out where the hell the 120 number originated from and if it was an official declaration from the Company.
# on the bottom of Door Tag - Prod Month - VIN last 7 - CL Member - Location - Modified Drivetrain ?
1997 Production - Model 1997 (LAST YEAR THE 5speed SC300 was manufactured)
046 - JAN - 0039598 - VInStarz - NY 289 - JAN - 0039770 - 187 - NY 097 - FEB - 0040209 - gerrb - GA ---> Yes -> 2JZGTE / V160 6speed
051 - MAR - 0040546 - soarrabun - GA 288 - MAR - 0040550 - BigBang - TX
471 - MAR - 0040561 - LexusTJT-TX 231 - MAR - 0040608 - Bramos24 - FL 927 - MAR - 0040661 - One120 - NY 223 - MAY - 1000069 - myLEXsc400 - IL 446 - MAY - 1000166 - jabbajt -LA 453 - MAY - 1000168 - xshurikx -NY
582 - MAY - 1000286 - ar3 - CA 907 - JUN - 1000374 - pdclark - MN ??? - JUN - 1000677- UniqSC - SC 921 - JUL - 1000834 - jmorando05 - NJ 940 - JUL - 1000843 - OurSC120 - NH 030 - JUL - 1000877 - Shayy - MO 046 - JUL - 1000883 - Evans4g63 - NY 812 - JUL - 1001158 - 1of120 - CA 169 - AUG - 1001324 - Brucelee28 - CA
1996 Production - Model 1997
855 - AUG - 0037616 - ashtray - TX
793 - AUG - 0037701 - regulate - VA 072 - AUG - 0037798 - bznhornets - WA
328 - OCT - 0038170 - crypto79 - MD
List of cars whose VIN seems to indicate that they are part of this list
VIN Number - Known INFO about car
1997 Production - Model 97 JT8CD32Z6V0040152 Blk/Blk 100kmi New Orleans, La Lex Dealer mint JT8CD32Z3V0040240 Post # 42 of this thread , Wht/T 114kmi Bellevue,Wa prv seller great cond $10.9k vin# JT8CD32Z8V0040430Post # 103 07/17/09 , wrecked JT8CD32Z7V0040581 Wht/T 95kmi LAUREL, MD Clean stock CL Member Karwan $10.5k/7.6k vin# JT8CD32Z2V0040598 Blk 94kmi Columbus,Oh prv seller james riley $8.2k x vin# JT8CD32Z5V0040661 Post #38 of this thread 07/08/09 , PltMt 75kmi Pompano Be, FL clean private sale 15.9k - pl mt vin# / JT8CD32Z3V0040710 RRd 195kmi Arlington,Tx mint/1 owner whole 4.75/6.5k x vin JT8CD32Z7V0040726 Wht/T 134kmi Hollywood, Fl Dealer clean Greenfield Auto $7.9k vin# Sold $6995 06/09 JT8CD32Z6V0040927 Post #67 of this thread 07/10/09, Blk/Blk 92kmi So, Ca Clean heavy mod CL Member Reamemiya $21k vin#02/09/09 JT8CD32Z6V0040958 Post #45 of this thread 07/08/09, Blk/Blk unk SF/Bay, Ca Clean stock C. Nguyen Craigslist $10.6k vin# 6/17/09 JT8CD32Z2V1000001 Post #44 of this thread 07/08/09 , Red/T 179K FRANKLIN, TN Clean Trenton Wright JT8CD32Z7V1000026Post #37 of this thread 07/08/09 JT8CD32Z7V1000088 Post #40 of this thread 07/08/09, Blk/T 69kmi Greatneck, NY Dealer Mint Find Great Cars N/A vin# JT8CD32Z4V1000100Post #108 of this thea 07/21/09 JT8CD32Z3V1000153 Red 130kmi Stockton,Ca Beat salvage prv sale ebay n/a JT8CD32Z8V1000438 Post #41 of this thread 07/08/09, Red/T 123kmi Ft. Lauderdale, Fl Mint modded 2jzgte prvt sale ebay vin# JT8CD32Z2V1000693 Post #43 of this thread 07/08/09, Red/T 125kmi Miami, Fl Salvage rear end damage Ebay $2.8k? vin# JT8CD32Z7V1000950 Post #39 of this thread 07/08.09 , Red/T 123kmi Coral Springs, Fl Mint Cl Member NPSC303 modded $5k/8k vin#
1996 Production - Model 1997 JT8CD32Z9V0037522Post #673 10/01/16, 14,974 original miles. silver/tan JT8CD32Z2V0037541 Post #52 of this thread 07/08/09 , CGrP 158kmi LB, Ca clean CL mem/prv sale 6.5k - cgrp vin# JT8CD32Z2V0037717 Post #46 of this thread 07/08/09 , BlkO 126kmi Atl, Ga clean whole/consmnt x vin# JT8CD32Z0V0038106 Post #48 of this thread 07/08/09 , BlkO 140kmi LB, Ca clean whole lot/deal 12.8k -
History Table for the Soarer Model: JZZ31 3.0ltras reference for the month and year a car rolled out of the factory .
sure thing, it's off San Diego craigslist.. not going to link because i believe that's against forum rules but that's all i know, haven't contacted the seller, i can PM you the link if you'd like
09-29-16, 06:51 PM
. What matters most is you have one ! The thread as per OP's first post clearly says "1997 manufactured and with Proof" thus referring to the last batch of SC300 with W58 transmission. As long as you have a VIN tag that says 97 manufactured and W58 trans and this can be verified with the production number table that has the VIN Numbers included , then your car belong to the "1997 Manufactured SC300 with Manual Transmission" .
You guys are strange, while manufacturer date and calendar date are important they are not model year. Model year is modle year with a legal definition and that is listed in the VIN which is federally regulated in its construction. If a company quotes a figure production figure they are talking model years because that is how their records work.
