For some reason American reviewers never quite understand the concept of these cars. They aren't bought by "millionaires" they are part of corporate company car fleets. Top executives have a driver and dedicated car like this for commuting or travelling meeting to meeting in, mainly, Tokyo. The cassette in the back is for dictating letters or memos to give a secretary later at the office. Lower level execs get lower level cars like Toyota Crowns, etc, but for the same purpose. It's a perk provided to avoid crowded trains or driving yourself to work in dense Tokyo traffic. The exec can work in the back while his driver takes him to his destination and waits to take him to another place. They also take execs to business dinners which are pretty much every night of the work week and drive them home even after having a few drinks.
Yes, exactly. I just commented that though some millionaires drove them they were used more by corporations. They were wonderful to ride in. I never realized the interiors were made of wool, I only knew it was something I hadn't seen before and it felt so good.
A lot of "Oji-sans" have them also, as well as quite a few "underworld" bosses. My GF's boss drives a Urus, but he has one of these also, which is parked at my GFs aparto, since she has an empty parking spot inside. It's a 2019 Hybrid version. The attention to detail is amazing and when I'm in it, front or back, it fascinates me. Not brash, just highly refined. It beats the MBZ S350 we tooled around in previously.
I have the next best thing. I just bought my grand parents 2000 Lexus LS 400 from their estate when they passed this last spring. Nobody in the entire family wanted their car because they thought it was too old and too "ugly". My moronic family had no clue what it was thankfully, and I only had to pay $6,000 for it. It has roughly 114,570 miles on it, my grandfather took really good care of it, and my grandma pretty much just drove it to run errands and go to church in. It has been garage kept and after a $300 detail job it literally looks like it came off the show-room floor. Sorry I had to brag...and yes I miss my grandparents.
I’m sorry about your grandparents. It’s wonderful that you’re enjoying their LS400. Not only do you have a great car, but you also have some amazing memories to go with it and that makes it even more special than any other LS400 for you. I love knowing that it has a good caretaker!
@asadb1990 IDK if this is why, but: My "wealthy" grandparents didn't leave anything because it all had to be sold to settle debts. We had to buy stuff we really wanted from the estate.
Quote: The gold phoenix logo used throughout is called the Hō'ō (鳳凰) or Fushichō (不死鳥) from Asian mythology, representing the Imperial House of Japan, and the image can be found throughout Asia, such as the Kinkaku-ji in Kyoto.
YES! FINALLY! I KNEW this day would come at some point!!!!! I'm OBSESSED WITH THIS CAR! The only production V12 to ever come out of Japan! Such a MAJESTIC car!
Jut watches a TH-cam video yesterday of an auction buyer in Switzerland that had some guys in the UK deliver one of these 12 cylinder Toyota's he won. It was once an Japanese Embassy car. Funny today I see another with the Wizard.
Only six people were qualified to paint them, after working for Lexus for ten years Then ten years of apprenticeship 6 coats, with hand sanding in between Then hand polished to a mirror finish
The blue paint is called "Serene Blue '摩周' (Mashu) Mica. It's supposed to resemble the striking blue water color of a lake by the same name located in Hokkaido.
The "Century" derived its name from the 100th birthday of Sakichi Toyoda (born 14 February 1867), the founder of Toyota Industries. The gold phoenix logo used throughout is called the Hō'ō (鳳凰) or Fushichō (不死鳥) from Asian mythology, representing the Imperial House of Japan, and the image can be found throughout Asia, such as the Kinkaku-ji in Kyoto.
The leg room pass through was invented by one of the cleaners at toyota because Toyota uses a theory called Kaizen where all workers are required to come up with new ways of optimizing efficiency, the cleaner was paid a bonus and given a job within the interior design department of the century division, Just to be a cleaner in the century division you need to have been working for Toyota for 20 years or more. That is a lot of time to be thinking of ways to improve things. Big love for this video Mr/Mrs Wizard and big love from Cape Town south africa.
Saw one of these once. Was at Toyota school. How much it looks underneath like a stretched out early LS400. Learned that if you can work on one Toyota, you can work on them all! Thanks for showing us this one!
@@noseboop4354 Been retired since 20. Learned working on used cars to stay away from the beemers. Touch one piece of plastic, three more break! And those water cooled alternators, cooling hoses, and everything else under the hood! Drive nice, powerful, but getting a second mortgage for maintenance. Not for me.
@@shawnure6707 It's far from that. You don't need to discredit an awesome car just cuz there's a BMW engine in it. Like it or not it's the only way Toyota was able to bring back the Supra. It still has a 3L i6TT, it's available in both manual and auto and it's super reliable + all the potential that's in the B58. The B58 is the perfect successor to the 2JZ and it does everything the 2J did and then some
I’m a huge Toyota fan and I really enjoyed seeing this! I really appreciate the incredibly high level of craftsmanship, attention to detail and luxury in the Century. Add in Toyota reliability and this is a truly world class luxury car, and a lot more appealing than a RR to me. Using wool upholstery is brilliant and so much more comfortable than leather, too. Thanks for sharing, Wizard!
Awesome 👍😎 video Mr. & Mrs. Wizard. Thanks for showing this awesome Toyota Century. Would love to own and drive one of those. Take care and keep up the great work 👍
These engines run like 2 independent straight 6's. An ECU and array of sensors for each bank. If something happens with one bank, the other will continue to operate unaffected. Just an extra level of reliability to an already reliable engine.
100,000+ brand new Tundras just got recalled. GR Corollas are catching on fire and the new Tacoma isn't any better than a Colorado but costs more. Toyota was the gold standard 20 years ago, not today
And you forgot: The bumpers are actual Chrome bumpers. No plastic bumpers. And these cars are ALL hand built. And this example is the 2nd generation. since 2020 or 2018 they have released the 3rd generation. The Century first came out as a V8 in the late 70's, and the third generation went back to a V8, albeit Hybrid. The Japanese monastery have got a bunch of their own coach built centuries as well, including a convertible, a hearse and a MUCH bigger stretch limo (not just length wise, similar to a Pullman Merc, but also a MUCH higher roofline). The C-pillar is so thick just to be used as a exterior Mirror, to fix your tie before going into a meeting! Most cars were black, hence that feature works the best on a black car!
*Monarchy... not monastery (although those would be some lucky buddhist monks for sure! Probably with spotted leopards and giant gold clocks on chains.)
@@02lucy666 I think everyone who reads that far knows. I thought it was auto-corrected. But still thought the contrast of Monks Vs. Monarchs very funny! 😝
13:40 Futaba Industrial Co., Ltd. manufactures various auto parts, 81% of their sales is to Toyota, their biggest client. They are based in Okazaki right next to Mitsubishi which is 4 kilometers south of the Toyota plant.
I recognized the car immediately. I lived in Japan then and yes, some millionaires were driving them but they were mainly used by corporations. They had most of the features we didn't begin putting in cars here in the US until recently, including television screens built into the dash where the infotainment system is as well as in the back of the headrests. Pure luxury.
Lol Car Care Nut had a more pimped out one on his channel not that long ago unless Miss Wizard missed the VHS player in the back, seems a lot of people love these things.
I did my best to pimp it out maybe some more add-ons soon I still want the tray table, branded shoehorns and maybe use the tv tuner to add CarPlay :) and tccn misspoke its a 1997.
(Google AI) --> This logo is inspired by the Japanese phoenix, the hou-ou, and is a reminder of the Japanese cultural and artistic traditions that are incorporated into the Century. The Hō'ō is from Sinospheric mythology and represents the Imperial House of Japan. The Century's front grille also features an "Infinite Loop Crown" pattern that is said to evoke harmony and prosperity.
Saw one of these yesterday on the 210 freeway in San Bernardino CA. Lace and all. Beautiful.Read that now over 25 years old can be imported.finding parts would probably be a nightmare. I still want one.
Always wanted a Century in pearl white. I've seen one like that it and it was STUNNING. 98% of these things were painted black, the other 2% being this dark blue, a very dark burgundy, silver or grey. Its a really rare chicken(that's what I call the hood emblem) if you see a white one.
The American LS-series Lexus has had that center rear seat control panel available since the early 2000s either optional or now standard. Maybe with a couple of different control options but essentially the same control panel. Some luxury features on this car were VERY cutting edge and only just now being adapted by regular production cars - automatic one-touch windows up and down for all 4 windows, memory drivers seat, side view mirror, and power tilt/telescoping settings with exit/entry setting, and power-closing soft-close doors and trunk. This also has navigation (in Japanese of course) which was a very advanced, expensive, and rare technology for cars in 1997.
The badge in front is a phoenix, and it's meant to represent the divineness of the emperor, which is why it's used as symbols in the imperial palace, which is the residence of the emperor of japan. In general though it's meant to symbolize things like immortality and prosperity.
Seeing this car reminds me of when I lived in Japan. Around 2000 to 2005, there was a small yakuza office in an apartment on our floor, and they had one of these Centuries to drive the boss around. The guy who always drove must have weighed around 450 pounds, and every time he got in the car it leaned to the side until the others climbed in. That still cracks me up.
Super happy my neighbor just got a 23' AWD hybrid rav4 with all the upgrades for 40k. She upgraded from a 98 camry, and she didn't know how the key fob worked (range and the beeping.) Super happy for her. Apparently the Rav4 is hard to find at a dealership and they found a good one luckily. (It also helps that a family member bought it outright for her!
Agree, the wom drive clamp used is the worst type available - ie. has open type serrations that tend to cut into the rubber hose and is certainly a step down to the original spring type clamp that continues to apply the appropriate amount of clamping force as the hose pipe ages. I susupect that the Car Care Nut would also look at addressing the poorly fitted radiator - and in particular the hastily and poorly made under-body radiator supports.
The shaver actually makes perfect sense. If you're riding in a Century, you're not just a millionare. You might be a billionare, and you own at least one company. And you have to look your best at the meeting you're being driven to, and this is Japan. They hate inefficiency. If you're sitting in the back of the car, that's down time. May as well do something productive, like touch up your grooming, and take an important call.
I just purchased his week a JDM 1997 Toyota Crown JZS151 with 75000klms on it here in Western Australia, it reminded me straight away a original Lexus LS400 as I worked for Lexus from 92-07 , it has a 2.5 1JZ-GE, the car came from Yokohama and the last owner had it from new , it still has plastic on sunvisors and bottom of door trims , I love driving .
This car was originally created to move the Emperor of Japan and his family around Japan. It later became available to the general public at a Rolls Royce/Bentley price point.
Like the Ford Thunderbird, there are no Toyota badges anywhere on the car. (There are no Ford badges on the Thunderbird) 😉 One of the few cars without any badge from the manufacturer.
There is one of these a couple of doors down from me. Very rare here in Australia. It's beautiful. The paint is like a mirror and the owner keeps it spotless.
Toyota snapped with this one! The features in the back we're super unique and unexpected. Footrest that made me lose it and pause the TV to comment on my phone😂 great video✅💯
Car Wizard, you know you can still buy many parts for these right? I just go to my main dealer and the parts are with me about 2 weeks later. I bought a new radiator for mine (correct Century item) in 2022. You might want to replace the expansion tank on this car as the plastic goes porous at this age. They're about £45 + vat from UK main dealers.
@@volvo09 There's only about 20 in the UK, and we can still order parts from main dealers. Incidentally, there is a USA dealer who had about 30 Toyota Century's in stock a few months ago, so not all that non existent over there.
Leather is not popular in JDM cars because it makes noise when you move and get in and out of the car, and luxury in Japan = silence. I have wool in 2 of my cars: 1999 Century and 1993 Cima, and after 25/33 years, both cars show it still is almost new.
Amazing car and a great video! Just to let you know, though, 1997 was not the cusp of CD's coming out. The first music CD came out initially in 1982, and they had overtook sales of cassettes in the early 90's. As others have stated, the cassette player in the back is actually a recorder for dictation. Which was very much still a cassette based thing at that time.
This is actually one of my dream cars. I have a Lexus LS400 and it's nice, but this is on another level!! I had NO idea Toyota was running electronic throttle bodies on these. in 1997!!
Mrs. Wizard should show the interiors as a whole, also. She only does closeups. I like to see what the interior looks as a whole, especially the front .
If you ever go there, that’s what most of the cabs are. Driver opens and closes the back doors very comfortable and usually has a television screen with all kinds of things. And you can smoke lol.
That's an interesting thought - a Japanese cab driver is a somewhat dangerous profession where the likely long term health issue is Emphysema due to the ingestion of large amounts of passive cigarette smoke whilst driving.
Wrong kind of hose clamp on there! That’s why it’s leaking! See the passenger side has the clamp style whereas the drivers side has the screw/slot style. @4:20
Cool. I remember cars like that in Japan in the 70s. The curtains were usually drawn when someone was inside. A man in a dark uniform and white gloves was always dusting them off, apparently waiting for the owner to return for the next trip. Sometimes the driver and passenger(s) wore a white mask. Nothing to do with any diseases. I believe that bird emblem is a Japanese version of the Roadrunner!
Not this particular Century, but I love the quirky side mirrors at the front of the fenders. PS. A Century and 1st gen NSX are personal bucket list items.
Fun fact, lace curtains and lace covers are pretty standard on back seats, even in older taxies and in most "old people's cars". Only in the more modern taxies you'll get leather... although that's for easier cleaning, not luxery.
I read somewhere that they only have 5 guys at any one time that they consider qualified enough to polish up the paint to the expected standard on the production line. That blue colour is amazing
I have a 96 Crown Majesta. (LS400 but even more luxurious, and 2JZ) which is like hardly 50% of the century. And holy crap, that is a DANG good car. The century is just leagues ahead of everything though. Rolls Royce of Japan!
@@IkeVMAX4 absolutely, I think there are less than 30 in total, but Toyota hasn't said exactly how many. There is one here in Bulgaria at the Japanese embassy in Sofia, apparently.
@@alexanderstefanov6474 There's one LHD Century at the "Louwman's Toyota World" museum in the Netherlands. The museum mentioned that their Century belonged to the Japanese embassy in France
Been in a ton of those in Asia. They are incredibly comfortable and refined. These are for people who are driven around. Can't figure why these were not exported to the west.
Don’t the back doors have soft close also? Many of these features (soft close doors, recline/massage seats in the back etc, move the front seat from the back) are on my LS430 also
Wow I wonder how much that costs...wow. Beautiful car too. You can see some of the design elements that carried over to more modern Toyotas (such as the gear shifter).
I love that car! My preferential color as well. I drive a 30 YO classic Nissan in Bangkok very similar to this car but, nowhere near as elegant. Beautiful Car!
Japan has a very strict inspection system. Every 2 years it is inspected and nothing is passed unless it is like new. After 20 years the inspection is annual and the cost is always over 2k. So cars over 10 years become expensive to own and that’s why they are sold to foreign markets after 20 years.
For some reason American reviewers never quite understand the concept of these cars. They aren't bought by "millionaires" they are part of corporate company car fleets. Top executives have a driver and dedicated car like this for commuting or travelling meeting to meeting in, mainly, Tokyo. The cassette in the back is for dictating letters or memos to give a secretary later at the office. Lower level execs get lower level cars like Toyota Crowns, etc, but for the same purpose. It's a perk provided to avoid crowded trains or driving yourself to work in dense Tokyo traffic. The exec can work in the back while his driver takes him to his destination and waits to take him to another place. They also take execs to business dinners which are pretty much every night of the work week and drive them home even after having a few drinks.
Yes, exactly. I just commented that though some millionaires drove them they were used more by corporations.
They were wonderful to ride in. I never realized the interiors were made of wool, I only knew it was something I hadn't seen before and it felt so good.
A lot of "Oji-sans" have them also, as well as quite a few "underworld" bosses. My GF's boss drives a Urus, but he has one of these also, which is parked at my GFs aparto, since she has an empty parking spot inside. It's a 2019 Hybrid version. The attention to detail is amazing and when I'm in it, front or back, it fascinates me. Not brash, just highly refined. It beats the MBZ S350 we tooled around in previously.
@@speaksthisyour girlfriends boss parks his car at her place? That sounds fishy
@@gaijinsumo Yep, just like the President and CEO PG& E...
@@kevinW826
i wonder if he fills up the entire parking space (guy on family account)
I have the next best thing. I just bought my grand parents 2000 Lexus LS 400 from their estate when they passed this last spring. Nobody in the entire family wanted their car because they thought it was too old and too "ugly". My moronic family had no clue what it was thankfully, and I only had to pay $6,000 for it. It has roughly 114,570 miles on it, my grandfather took really good care of it, and my grandma pretty much just drove it to run errands and go to church in. It has been garage kept and after a $300 detail job it literally looks like it came off the show-room floor. Sorry I had to brag...and yes I miss my grandparents.
I’m sorry about your grandparents. It’s wonderful that you’re enjoying their LS400. Not only do you have a great car, but you also have some amazing memories to go with it and that makes it even more special than any other LS400 for you. I love knowing that it has a good caretaker!
@@SuperSnakePlissken Great memories
You bought a real keeper there.
Why didn't grandparents leave you their stuff?
@asadb1990
IDK if this is why, but:
My "wealthy" grandparents didn't leave anything because it all had to be sold to settle debts.
We had to buy stuff we really wanted from the estate.
Quote:
The gold phoenix logo used throughout is called the Hō'ō (鳳凰) or Fushichō (不死鳥) from Asian mythology, representing the Imperial House of Japan, and the image can be found throughout Asia, such as the Kinkaku-ji in Kyoto.
Thanks!!
A man of culture! It hurts when people insult the Gold Phoenix and call it a "golden chicken".
Pretty sure I caught that pokemon 😂
Straight from Google, where I just found it lol
From that first name it seems to also be the inspiration for Ho-Oh from Pokémon Gold.
YES! FINALLY! I KNEW this day would come at some point!!!!! I'm OBSESSED WITH THIS CAR! The only production V12 to ever come out of Japan! Such a MAJESTIC car!
My dream car for the last 12 years!
What kind of milage does it get, though?
Jut watches a TH-cam video yesterday of an auction buyer in Switzerland that had some guys in the UK deliver one of these 12 cylinder Toyota's he won. It was once an Japanese Embassy car. Funny today I see another with the Wizard.
Dude REAL! One of the Throttle House guys love them too
Meh.
Only six people were qualified to paint them, after working for Lexus for ten years
Then ten years of apprenticeship
6 coats, with hand sanding in between
Then hand polished to a mirror finish
Job for Danyo San (Karate Kid...)
Did you think about that comment before posting it? Lexus was 8 years old in 1997...
The blue paint is called
"Serene Blue '摩周' (Mashu) Mica.
It's supposed to resemble the striking blue water color of a lake by the same name located in Hokkaido.
To bad it represents nothing 😂
The "Century" derived its name from the 100th birthday of Sakichi Toyoda (born 14 February 1867), the founder of Toyota Industries.
The gold phoenix logo used throughout is called the Hō'ō (鳳凰) or Fushichō (不死鳥) from Asian mythology, representing the Imperial House of Japan, and the image can be found throughout Asia, such as the Kinkaku-ji in Kyoto.
The leg room pass through was invented by one of the cleaners at toyota because Toyota uses a theory called Kaizen where all workers are required to come up with new ways of optimizing efficiency, the cleaner was paid a bonus and given a job within the interior design department of the century division, Just to be a cleaner in the century division you need to have been working for Toyota for 20 years or more. That is a lot of time to be thinking of ways to improve things. Big love for this video Mr/Mrs Wizard and big love from Cape Town south africa.
Stay awesome ❤
Saw one of these once. Was at Toyota school. How much it looks underneath like a stretched out early LS400. Learned that if you can work on one Toyota, you can work on them all! Thanks for showing us this one!
Except the newest Supra. You need to go to BMW school for that one.
@@noseboop4354 Been retired since 20. Learned working on used cars to stay away from the beemers. Touch one piece of plastic, three more break! And those water cooled alternators, cooling hoses, and everything else under the hood! Drive nice, powerful, but getting a second mortgage for maintenance. Not for me.
Thats not a Supra. Its a shame is what it is.@noseboop4354
I've been learning to wrench on my 92 Century, everything is very accessible and logically laid out.
@@shawnure6707 It's far from that. You don't need to discredit an awesome car just cuz there's a BMW engine in it. Like it or not it's the only way Toyota was able to bring back the Supra. It still has a 3L i6TT, it's available in both manual and auto and it's super reliable + all the potential that's in the B58. The B58 is the perfect successor to the 2JZ and it does everything the 2J did and then some
I’m a huge Toyota fan and I really enjoyed seeing this! I really appreciate the incredibly high level of craftsmanship, attention to detail and luxury in the Century. Add in Toyota reliability and this is a truly world class luxury car, and a lot more appealing than a RR to me. Using wool upholstery is brilliant and so much more comfortable than leather, too. Thanks for sharing, Wizard!
Nope. Sometimes when things get more expensive doesn’t mean the same reliability stands. RR are tanks.
The best interior review Mrs.Wizard has ever done! 👍🏼
Except that the 'cassette player' was primarily a dictaphone.
Agreed- she done did it now; we expect you to get up and go to the backseat from this point forward Mrs!
The minute set button ("M") is stuck down 😂. Try pressing it a few times to unstick it.
My thought exactly!
Anyone whom would love a Buick Century, would love a Toyota Century. Reliable and comfort priority one and two.
I'd buy one
I wouldn't buy a front wheel drive, but I would buy this rear wheel drive.
@@JasonWW2000 And its a V12, its rare. Due EPA, they won't make these kind of engines anymore for new cars.
I'm sure you'd offend many well heeled people, comparing this to a Buick.
Awesome 👍😎 video Mr. & Mrs. Wizard.
Thanks for showing this awesome Toyota Century.
Would love to own and drive one of those.
Take care and keep up the great work 👍
I just bought a 96 Nissan Cima from Japan. Has a TV AM FM Radio CD changer Navigation and a air purifier on the rear deck. I love this car!
Nice. It's fun to see these older cars in the USA. Remember, stay right>>>>>
Alrighty!
This actually is NOT just a tape player, this is a tape recorder! This car was used for interviews!
These engines run like 2 independent straight 6's. An ECU and array of sensors for each bank. If something happens with one bank, the other will continue to operate unaffected. Just an extra level of reliability to an already reliable engine.
other car makes also did same thing, but those werent really reliable
@@jaskajokunen3716 Cadillac Northstar V8 comes to mind.
I saw some engines using it 2 ECU... it was s nightmare. :)
Early BMW V12s too
@jaskajokunen3716
Yep the E32 V12's were set up the same way. Made diagnostics tricky
Toyota gold standard of automotive engineering
Too bad it over
Definately has older Mercedes flavor, as they say imitation is the best form of flattery. Looks amazing!
Twenty-seven-year-old Toyota. Needs oil change and hose clamp tightened. Nothing to see.
@@opraiderman904 Yup. They've been messing up lately, BIG TIME.
100,000+ brand new Tundras just got recalled. GR Corollas are catching on fire and the new Tacoma isn't any better than a Colorado but costs more. Toyota was the gold standard 20 years ago, not today
There is a guy here in naples Florida who has one. I dont see it often but when i do it is a beautiful sight to behold.
And you forgot: The bumpers are actual Chrome bumpers. No plastic bumpers. And these cars are ALL hand built. And this example is the 2nd generation. since 2020 or 2018 they have released the 3rd generation. The Century first came out as a V8 in the late 70's, and the third generation went back to a V8, albeit Hybrid. The Japanese monastery have got a bunch of their own coach built centuries as well, including a convertible, a hearse and a MUCH bigger stretch limo (not just length wise, similar to a Pullman Merc, but also a MUCH higher roofline).
The C-pillar is so thick just to be used as a exterior Mirror, to fix your tie before going into a meeting! Most cars were black, hence that feature works the best on a black car!
*Monarchy... not monastery (although those would be some lucky buddhist monks for sure! Probably with spotted leopards and giant gold clocks on chains.)
@@bellemorelock4924 oh snap lmao, yeah, that was my mistake, English isnt my first language and simply forgot the Monarchy-term
@@02lucy666 I think everyone who reads that far knows. I thought it was auto-corrected. But still thought the contrast of Monks Vs. Monarchs very funny! 😝
13:40 Futaba Industrial Co., Ltd. manufactures various auto parts, 81% of their sales is to Toyota, their biggest client. They are based in Okazaki right next to Mitsubishi which is 4 kilometers south of the Toyota plant.
I recognized the car immediately. I lived in Japan then and yes, some millionaires were driving them but they were mainly used by corporations. They had most of the features we didn't begin putting in cars here in the US until recently, including television screens built into the dash where the infotainment system is as well as in the back of the headrests.
Pure luxury.
Car care nut just had one of these on too. Cool car.
I got to see it last weekend at the car meet they had in Chicago. Super cool seeing one in person for the first time.
@@MarcBookPro I saw Two Toyota Centurys at a Car-meet at August,11.
The back seat cassette player’s idea was so a businessman could record ideas, practice speeches, etc. Awesome idea!
The logo for the Century is a Phoenix & commemorates 100 years after the founders birth. Truly the best car ever made.
Lol Car Care Nut had a more pimped out one on his channel not that long ago unless Miss Wizard missed the VHS player in the back, seems a lot of people love these things.
Just saw that one at the meetup he had last weekend. The feature cars were the 600k mile LS 430, the '99 Century, and LegitStreetCar's Delorean.
I did my best to pimp it out maybe some more add-ons soon I still want the tray table, branded shoehorns and maybe use the tv tuner to add CarPlay :) and tccn misspoke its a 1997.
(Google AI) --> This logo is inspired by the Japanese phoenix, the hou-ou, and is a reminder of the Japanese cultural and artistic traditions that are incorporated into the Century. The Hō'ō is from Sinospheric mythology and represents the Imperial House of Japan. The Century's front grille also features an "Infinite Loop Crown" pattern that is said to evoke harmony and prosperity.
The Car Care Nut reviewed one similar and despite the dated interior it is a gem.
Car Wizard is a great channel!
Saw one of these yesterday on the 210 freeway in San Bernardino CA. Lace and all. Beautiful.Read that now over 25 years old can be imported.finding parts would probably be a nightmare. I still want one.
Car Care Nut says many parts from the Century were also used on the Lexus LS400. That can be a big help.
Always wanted a Century in pearl white. I've seen one like that it and it was STUNNING. 98% of these things were painted black, the other 2% being this dark blue, a very dark burgundy, silver or grey. Its a really rare chicken(that's what I call the hood emblem) if you see a white one.
The American LS-series Lexus has had that center rear seat control panel available since the early 2000s either optional or now standard. Maybe with a couple of different control options but essentially the same control panel.
Some luxury features on this car were VERY cutting edge and only just now being adapted by regular production cars - automatic one-touch windows up and down for all 4 windows, memory drivers seat, side view mirror, and power tilt/telescoping settings with exit/entry setting, and power-closing soft-close doors and trunk.
This also has navigation (in Japanese of course) which was a very advanced, expensive, and rare technology for cars in 1997.
The badge in front is a phoenix, and it's meant to represent the divineness of the emperor, which is why it's used as symbols in the imperial palace, which is the residence of the emperor of japan. In general though it's meant to symbolize things like immortality and prosperity.
Love the wool seats, never understood our fascination with leather car seats
Real wool seats are much more expensive than leather seats, BMW charges extra money for it.
The real benefit: wool seats don't wrinkle your suit 😉
Seeing this car reminds me of when I lived in Japan. Around 2000 to 2005, there was a small yakuza office in an apartment on our floor, and they had one of these Centuries to drive the boss around. The guy who always drove must have weighed around 450 pounds, and every time he got in the car it leaned to the side until the others climbed in. That still cracks me up.
Perhaps the driver was a former sumo wrestler.
Super happy my neighbor just got a 23' AWD hybrid rav4 with all the upgrades for 40k. She upgraded from a 98 camry, and she didn't know how the key fob worked (range and the beeping.) Super happy for her. Apparently the Rav4 is hard to find at a dealership and they found a good one luckily. (It also helps that a family member bought it outright for her!
Car Care Nut would immediately replace that worm clamp …. Not OEM
But more importantly: not the right kind of clamp
Agree, the wom drive clamp used is the worst type available - ie. has open type serrations that tend to cut into the rubber hose and is certainly a step down to the original spring type clamp that continues to apply the appropriate amount of clamping force as the hose pipe ages. I susupect that the Car Care Nut would also look at addressing the poorly fitted radiator - and in particular the hastily and poorly made under-body radiator supports.
I am in love with that navy blue color!!!
The shaver actually makes perfect sense. If you're riding in a Century, you're not just a millionare. You might be a billionare, and you own at least one company.
And you have to look your best at the meeting you're being driven to, and this is Japan. They hate inefficiency. If you're sitting in the back of the car, that's down time. May as well do something productive, like touch up your grooming, and take an important call.
You have to be able to shave in the morning between your mistress's apartment and the office.
In Canada we have a 15 year rule instead of 25. These were really popular. With custom headers and exhaust they actually sound wild.
Do you also mount a rear wing and light bar on them? Recaros and cage?
Making them sound wild is the exact opposite of what these cars are all about.
It's just distasteful.
Those are legend! I think they are anyways. I've never seen one of these up close. Just beautiful. Thanks for sharing, car wizards!
I just purchased his week a JDM 1997 Toyota Crown JZS151 with 75000klms on it here in Western Australia, it reminded me straight away a original Lexus LS400 as I worked for Lexus from 92-07 , it has a 2.5 1JZ-GE, the car came from Yokohama and the last owner had it from new , it still has plastic on sunvisors and bottom of door trims , I love driving .
Wow, I love that crazy pass-through for the rear passenger's legs, on top of the MULTI-adjustable headrests!
This car was originally created to move the Emperor of Japan and his family around Japan. It later became available to the general public at a Rolls Royce/Bentley price point.
Like the Ford Thunderbird, there are no Toyota badges anywhere on the car.
(There are no Ford badges on the Thunderbird) 😉
One of the few cars without any badge from the manufacturer.
Eines der besten Videos der letzten Wochen! Fantastisch, Gratulation!
There is one of these a couple of doors down from me. Very rare here in Australia. It's beautiful. The paint is like a mirror and the owner keeps it spotless.
The reason for wool over leather, is that they want to avoid the leather fart when you move across the seat.
Toyota snapped with this one! The features in the back we're super unique and unexpected. Footrest that made me lose it and pause the TV to comment on my phone😂 great video✅💯
Car Wizard, you know you can still buy many parts for these right? I just go to my main dealer and the parts are with me about 2 weeks later. I bought a new radiator for mine (correct Century item) in 2022. You might want to replace the expansion tank on this car as the plastic goes porous at this age. They're about £45 + vat from UK main dealers.
These are basically non existent in the US.
@@volvo09 There's only about 20 in the UK, and we can still order parts from main dealers. Incidentally, there is a USA dealer who had about 30 Toyota Century's in stock a few months ago, so not all that non existent over there.
Always thankful when you do a very thorough undercarriage video, especially of rare vehicles.
The car care nut had a video about the Century. His video is top notch!😀
The badge is a “ Mythological” Phoenix….that’s all I can find about it….👍🤘🇮🇲
Leather is not popular in JDM cars because it makes noise when you move and get in and out of the car, and luxury in Japan = silence. I have wool in 2 of my cars: 1999 Century and 1993 Cima, and after 25/33 years, both cars show it still is almost new.
My GF has one - 2019 Hybrid version. The quality is extraordinaire.
Coolest interior tour Mrs. Wizard has ever done!
Amazing car and a great video! Just to let you know, though, 1997 was not the cusp of CD's coming out. The first music CD came out initially in 1982, and they had overtook sales of cassettes in the early 90's.
As others have stated, the cassette player in the back is actually a recorder for dictation. Which was very much still a cassette based thing at that time.
This is actually one of my dream cars. I have a Lexus LS400 and it's nice, but this is on another level!! I had NO idea Toyota was running electronic throttle bodies on these. in 1997!!
Why not to owner a v12 and v8 are best engine 😂
9:35 the cassette in the back is actually a recorder to take dictation or record a business meeting
My 1956 Chevy had a shaver as an available option. I don't have one, but it's in the buyer's guide.
V12 baby!
Beautiful. I visited the Toyota Automobile Museum in Nagoya in May of this year. Saw lots of interesting vehicles there, but no Century.
1:20 that's Ho-Oh!
I've had one of these going on about a month and a half now. Best car ever...
Mrs. Wizard should show the interiors as a whole, also. She only does closeups. I like to see what the interior looks as a whole, especially the front .
Now that's a beautiful ride
definitely talk to the Car Care Nut, he has many useful details
i was hoping you'd get a Century in one day. Beautiful cars, the newer ones have crazy cool features too
If you ever go there, that’s what most of the cabs are. Driver opens and closes the back doors very comfortable and usually has a television screen with all kinds of things. And you can smoke lol.
Those are crown comfort not century.
@@sabeelra Ahhhh! ok. They look very similar. Especially after some Chu-Hi
That's an interesting thought - a Japanese cab driver is a somewhat dangerous profession where the likely long term health issue is Emphysema due to the ingestion of large amounts of passive cigarette smoke whilst driving.
@@georgebettiol8338 maybe, but a majority I saw smoked themselves lol
Wrong kind of hose clamp on there! That’s why it’s leaking! See the passenger side has the clamp style whereas the drivers side has the screw/slot style. @4:20
The Car Care Nut did a video on one of these Centuries a couple of weeks ago, and he was equally impressed!
Bit of Super glue to fix the cracked head light. Nice car, I think Jay Leno might be interested, lol! Thanks.
8:14 that’s the OFM bar, for when you tell your chauffeur to floor it to get to the meeting in time!
1997 Japan that’s a cigarette ashtray 😂
never thought i would see this on this channel. this is huge!
The Car Care Nut did a review of the same Model last week. The car he reviewed had several more luxury items.
And it was in a much more pristine condition as well. The Wizard should check it out 😁👍🏻🙋🏼♂️
I had to do a double take, I was thinking the car was making the rounds until I realized this was an older model.
Toyota also made LHD Century for certain markets.
They are very rare. Less LHD Century were made than RHD.
Cool. I remember cars like that in Japan in the 70s. The curtains were usually drawn when someone was inside. A man in a dark uniform and white gloves was always dusting them off, apparently waiting for the owner to return for the next trip. Sometimes the driver and passenger(s) wore a white mask. Nothing to do with any diseases.
I believe that bird emblem is a Japanese version of the Roadrunner!
This is the pinnacle ultimate luxury ❤
Really interesting car to lookover for us! Loved this segment!!!
Not this particular Century, but I love the quirky side mirrors at the front of the fenders. PS. A Century and 1st gen NSX are personal bucket list items.
Fun fact, lace curtains and lace covers are pretty standard on back seats, even in older taxies and in most "old people's cars". Only in the more modern taxies you'll get leather... although that's for easier cleaning, not luxery.
(wipes slight drool from side of mouth) Always wanted one of these!
wool>leather - this body shape design should come back so nice! love the centuries
Note the mirror-like paint at 2:23...the Century has one of the deepest and best paint jobs for any car ever!
I read somewhere that they only have 5 guys at any one time that they consider qualified enough to polish up the paint to the expected standard on the production line. That blue colour is amazing
A TH-camr here in Australia, named Car Sauce, his channel, not him just picked his up!🤣 Pretty damn impressive!😎👍🏼
Lovely car. Absolute luxury and refinement in a classy, stylish but subtle body.
That emblem is a Ho-oh or a Japanese phoenix, basically.
The pokemon Ho-Oh was based upon it lol
I have a 96 Crown Majesta. (LS400 but even more luxurious, and 2JZ) which is like hardly 50% of the century. And holy crap, that is a DANG good car. The century is just leagues ahead of everything though. Rolls Royce of Japan!
Toyota did actually make LHD examples, most are likely still used in Japanese embassies, some have found their way on to the market occasionally
total unicorns to find and buy
@@IkeVMAX4 absolutely, I think there are less than 30 in total, but Toyota hasn't said exactly how many. There is one here in Bulgaria at the Japanese embassy in Sofia, apparently.
@@alexanderstefanov6474let's make a fund and buy it for us middle Europeans
@@alexanderstefanov6474 There's one LHD Century at the "Louwman's Toyota World" museum in the Netherlands. The museum mentioned that their Century belonged to the Japanese embassy in France
I'm so glad you got one these are some of my favorites
This is, hands down, the best car ever made!
Been in a ton of those in Asia. They are incredibly comfortable and refined. These are for people who are driven around. Can't figure why these were not exported to the west.
Don’t the back doors have soft close also? Many of these features (soft close doors, recline/massage seats in the back etc, move the front seat from the back) are on my LS430 also
Wow I wonder how much that costs...wow. Beautiful car too. You can see some of the design elements that carried over to more modern Toyotas (such as the gear shifter).
Funny to see another one of these on TH-cam in such a short span of time.
My 2004 Echo RS hatchback has a Futaba muffler. They were made in Japan and only sold new in Japan, Mexico, and Canada. Still going strong at 600k
Great video...remind me of the Lexus LS 460 in the backseat.
I love that car! My preferential color as well.
I drive a 30 YO classic Nissan in Bangkok very similar to this car but, nowhere near as elegant.
Beautiful Car!
Japan has a very strict inspection system. Every 2 years it is inspected and nothing is passed unless it is like new. After 20 years the inspection is annual and the cost is always over 2k. So cars over 10 years become expensive to own and that’s why they are sold to foreign markets after 20 years.