Lexus LS, 1997, Jyväskylä

In the 1980s Toyota wanted to enter the luxury-car market in Europe and especially the United States. The problem was that in the US the name Toyota meant a reliable, inexpensive people’s car, so something entirely new had to be created. In 1989 a new brand, Lexus, was launched with the LS400 as its flagship, a direct competitor to the Mercedes S-Class. This example represents the second generation, updated in 1995.

Although next year the car will be 30 years old, it still has plenty of life left. Preserved mostly in original condition except for the wheels and the tow bar. The current summer wheels are from a 1998 LS400 and are fitted with brand-new Michelin Primacy 5 tyres — among the best available for the original tyre size. The winter wheels have reasonably good studs; see the last exterior photo. The previous owner used 20-inch (≈51 cm) wheels in summer and had them approved at the modification inspection; I did not like them, but they can be included if wanted. Unfortunately I do not have the car’s original wheels.

Imported to Finland new and, to my knowledge, I am the car’s third private owner; the first owned it for 21 years. It has had rust protection from new. The previous owner serviced the car himself and kept records on his own slips (the slips shown in the photos are in Swedish).

I bought the car on 25 November, so I have owned it for a little over six months. During this time I have carried out extensive servicing so it would be the perfect summer car for me, but life circumstances and plans do not match. Although the mileage is high by Finnish standards, the car is in very good condition and has genuinely been well cared for — you will have to search to find another like it. It has just passed inspection with praise and can be registered as a museum vehicle in 2028 if desired.

Services during my ownership:

• 368,558 km Timing cover + water pump + multi-groove belt + gearbox seals + spark plugs + thermostat

• 368,662 km Oil + filter

• 369,207 km Left lower ball joint

• 372,162 km Rack-and-pinion + left brake backing plate (rack replaced due to leak)

• Brand-new summer tyres purchased in May

• Brake fluid will be replaced on 1 July as it is rather old

All receipts are available and shown in the photos

The boot also contains spare parts/supplies for future servicing!

The vehicle must be collected within 7 days of the auction ending unless otherwise agreed - Huutokaupat.com.

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