Description
5th Apr, 2025 11:00
The April 2025 Auction
1997 Lexus LS 400
Superb two-owner car with low recorded miles
Estimate
£6, 000 - £7, 000
Buyer's premium: 15. 00%
Lot details
Registration: P689BAP
Chassis: JT153UFthe details below
Odometer: 19, 000
Transmission: Automatic
MOT: November 2025
Only one previous owner
Belonged to owner and director of Culver Toyota, Cardiff
Beautifully presented
Original specification
Mainly Lexus history
The Lexus LS400 was introduced in 1989 as the flagship saloon for Toyota’s newly established luxury division, Lexus. Developed under the codename F1, the LS400 was the result of a six-year, billion-dollar effort to create a world-class luxury vehicle that could rival European brands like Mercedes-Benz and BMW. Featuring a 4. 0-litre V8 engine, rear-wheel drive, and an emphasis on smooth performance and refined comfort, the LS400 set new standards for reliability, build quality, and customer satisfaction. It’s quiet cabin, advanced engineering, and competitive pricing disrupted the luxury car market, quickly earning Lexus a strong reputation. The LS400 underwent multiple updates before being succeeded by the LS430 in 2000, cementing its legacy as a game-changing luxury sedan.
We are delighted to offer this 1997 Lexus LS400 in Venetian Blue with Winchester Grey leather interior. First registered in March 1997 and supplied by Culver Lexus in Cardiff, the V5C records only two keepers. Our vendor tells us that the first owner was a Japanese gentleman who was based in Hong Kong, however, he also had a house in Cardiff where he kept the Lexus in the garage. He would come to stay in his Welsh home only a couple of times a year when he would recommission the car, use it and then return it to the garage when he left. Our vendor, an owner and director at Culvers, happily took on ownership of the big Lexus in 2018 at which point it had amassed a mere 13, 654 miles in its first 21 years. We have the original service book which contains 11 stamps, all bar one being from Lexus / Toyota dealers. The last service took place late last year at 18, 855 miles and was undertaken by CP Motor Services in Llantwit Major, a classic car specialist, who also treated the car to a new set of brake pads.
The simple and understated styling was perhaps a little under-appreciated in period but, particularly in this car’s sophisticated dark blue metallic, it now looks particularly handsome and a world away from the rather fussy design Lexus have pursued in recent years. The alloy wheels are in great shape and wrapped in good quality Yokohama rubber. A very period touch is the gold badging which even extends to a gold aerial surround. When it comes to the interior, you’ll forgive us for using the well-worn phrase “time warp” as it really could pass for a nearly new car. The wood and plastics are all in great order and the switchgear shows no discernible wear to our eyes. The leather seats are free of any obvious rips or tears and, in fairness, the driver’s seat is the only one that looks like it’s been sat on. The headlining is clean and tight. Being Toyota’s idea of the ultimate luxury car, it’s hardly surprising that the specification was high and wouldn’t look out of place on a new car in 2025. Highlights include heated electric memory seats, dual zone air conditioning and cruise control. The stereo system is integrated neatly in the dash and there’s a CD changer in the glove compartment. As you might expect, rear passengers get looked after with heated seats and matching cigar lighters and ashtrays in the doors. The attention to detail extends to the boot, where there is a little toolkit that springs out of an aperture by the wheelarch.
The car comes with V5C, current and a past MOT certificate, service book, invoices and 2 keys.
With the LS400, Lexus had to make the maximum possible impact in a market dominated by the mighty Mercedes S-Class, a car synonymous with luxury and technology. It was a challenge that the Toyota engineers aced and the success that followed for the Lexus brand is a testament to that. That depth of engineering shines through in this low mile example, which, despite being just shy of 30 years old, drove with a smoothness and serenity for our short tracking video that impresses as much today as it did all those years ago.
