TOYOTA CENTURY
Year of manufacture 2004 Recorded mileage 85,668km
Asking price AU$54,995 Vendor Classic Throttle Shop, 50-64 Pacific Highway, Sydney, NSW 2060, Australia; 0061 2 9922 4594; classicthrottleshop.com WHEN IT WAS NEW Price ¥11,445,000 Max power 280bhp Max torque 354lb ft 0-60mph n/a Top speed 130mph Mpg 20
Nothing shows off Japan’s gadgety type of luxury like the Toyota Century, the halo car of the world’s largest car company. Making its debut in 1967, the first generation was on sale for 30 years, but it’s the second, the G50, which went on for a further 20, that enthusiasts fawn over in particular – such as this car.
The 5-litre V12 engine was exclusive to the G50 – much as Lexus might desire otherwise – featuring quad cams and the VVT-I variable valve timing system from Toyota’s contemporary sports models. That’s not to say the Century is a sports saloon, however. While its 280bhp is largely thought to be an underestimation, the focus is entirely on comfortable cruising.
For those in the heated and massaging rear seats, gadgets range from climate control to in-car entertainment; one passenger can even stretch their legs through an opening section of the nearside front seat, providing the most comfortable leg-rest in the car industry. All of this, naturally, is controlled by flawless plastic buttons and switches, all labelled with Japanese script and set in brushed steel – a familiar aesthetic to anyone who has experienced its local infrastructure. As you’d expect, in this relatively low-mileage (c53,000) import from Japan, it all works perfectly 18 years after it was built.
While unmarked polished rosewood adorns many surfaces of the cabin, including a delightful rolling top on the rear armrest, the Century nonetheless has plenty of plastic on show where European luxury brands would have felt the need for leather. Indeed, this Century, like nearly all, is fitted with velour seats – leather isn’t popular in Japan for being unpleasant in hot weather, and noisy. Toyota’s ruthless commitment to practicality shines through even in this flagship, especially up front, where a chauffeur could be expected to be indifferent to some parts-bin componentry and less-than-premium materials.
Executives once ferried around in this car clearly respected it: the interior remains in excellent condition, including a full set of doily curtains. The driver deserves credit, too: the Kamui Eternal Black paintwork is almost perfect.
Many Centurys look tired by the time they have made their way out of Japan, but this little-used example is a rare opportunity to get one in almost as-new condition. Offering another kind of luxury to a Rolls-royce, it’s a brilliant window into another part of the world. The problem, of course, is that the car is best experienced from the back – do you have someone to play chauffeur?