CELSIOR: A Lexus LS 400 Documentary
2024 ж. 23 Мам.
412 032 Рет қаралды
The Lexus LS400 is the physical embodiment of the Lexus slogan; The Relentless Pursuit of Perfection. The first-generation LS400 was the product of hundreds of employees, $1 billion in funding, and a burning desire to create the finest luxury sedan in the world. This video covers why Toyota broke ground on the project, the challenges the team faced during development, and the origins of the Lexus brand.
TIMESTAMPS
0:00 INTRO
2:05 MARU-EFU (Conception)
10:26 A MATTER OF STYLE (Design)
20:38 NO(T) YET (Powertrain)
34:10 A CAR IS BORN (Engineering)
42:28 COVENANT (Establishing The Lexus Brand)
SOURCES
pastebin.com/Z5cianbZ
Outstanding account of the LS400. I was a racecar mechanic from 85 to early 89. I needed work after leaving the racing business in early 1989. So I went to visit my friend Terry Edwards at Toyota of Orange and he asked me if I would be interested in working on a new luxury line from Toyota called Lexus. I said yes! David Wilson owner of Toyota of Orange would be opening a new dealership in Tustin called Tustin Lexus. Myself and Steve Brunworth were the first Lexus techs to work on the brand new LS400s in the summer of 1989 . We did nothing but PDI's Pre Delivery Inspections out of the defunct Cal Worthington Mitsubishi dealership in the Tustin Auto Center until our new Tustin Lexus dealership was finished. What a great time that was for me as a young man in my late 20s.. I am a huge Lexus and Toyota fan and I am currently restoring a 96 SC400 ..I have tons of Lexus parts that I acquired over the 19 years that I was with Lexus... Lexus and Toyota cars are my passion till I pass from the Earth..
Mitsubishi dealership were even going defunct back then, not much has changed.
To think there was a nexus where Lexis could have cancelled Lexus
What a great memory and experience for you Sir! It was a pleasure reading. I had just graduated High School at Garden Grove and remember that dealership opening for Lexus.
Legend
"you'll never get a lemon... at toyota of orange!" This jingle still lives rent free in my head...
Bought a rusty, unloved LS 430 in 2018 with 210k miles for £1000 here in the UK, as I needed cheap but big and reliable comfy car to do 4000 mile continental trip over the summer thinking, I would just scrap it or sell it for peanuts afterwards. Ended up keeping it for 2 years until someone rear ended it. Still got more from the insurance then what I had paid originally. The car had never left me stranded and almost everything worked ( I'm looking at you, steering column electric motor ). Within 2 weeks from the accident I bought another LS 430, this time in mint condition, 79k on the clock, 1 owner from new. I will never sell it, Lexus for life.
I feel you I have owned 7th Lexus since 2003 I can’t think of a better brand for the money you pay for peruse car❤️
Amazing. I own a LS430, LS500, and a LX570. And just bought a LS400. I know I’m crazy. But I love Toyota/Lexus.🥇
@Bill G Don't feel bad, I am in love with the Lexus brand as well. I own a 2019 GS and I just purchased a RX350 because I wanted another Lexus in my driveway!
Nice!
These are amazing vehicles, and I’m always on the hunt for an LS400, but so happy with my LS430, I did own an LX570, but it had its own demons, got out of it for a Land Cruiser. Couldn’t be happier.
Which one do you like Best?
@@marshallwise1763 LS430 is my favorite.
An entire documentary dedicated to my favorite car!! And even with subtitles! Thank you for providing us with this. Hugs from Brazil !
Awww! Thanks. Glad to have viewers from around the world.
🤝😎
I own a 2006 Lexus LS430 bro I’m never getting rid of mines best car I’ve owned hands down truly a gem of a car 💎😎
Thx
My dad worked for Toyota for over 40 years so I grew up loving the brand. I remember the first time my dad brought home an LS400. The steering came out on its own and it was the most advance thing I had ever seen. It was my dream to own one and few months ago I found a pristine LS400 Gen 1, with 77000 km locked in a garage here in Saudi. I bought it off the owners in a heartbeat and it feels better to drive than any new modern cars I've driven so far. I own Mercedes S560, a 97 Toyota Supra, and a 2015 Land cruiser Diesel V8. By far my favorites are the Supra and LS400.
Nice collection of cars!
You got an Instagram or something to show the cars ?
Mashallah
Beside the Mercedes you basically own my dream cars. Nice!
ls400 has to be the best sedan ever made.
The Japanese are just so admirable as a culture. It's very hard to find a group of people who care able quality in manufacturing as much as they do. There's exceptions in any example but overall anything made in Japan is top notch.
I see that all the way from electronics to cars, next if Japan where to make airplanes then an Australian airliner will buy more planes from a Japanese manufacture and ditch Boeing. On the other hand if Boeing where to face a Japanese competitor then that new kid in the aviation industry becomes the Chicago Bulls with Micheal Jordan and soon Boeing becomes the next Fokker.
Yup Japanese people as a whole tend to take great pride in their work skills and professional work ethics, like Nintendo, Nintendo products are great and very durable too, they have this rare lasting appeal that even 25-30years later you can still connect and play any Nintendo console to your TV, even if just for the amazingly good nostalgic feeling. Nothing like relieving/remembering your younger days thru the physical toys/hobbies that you shared with your best friends growing up.
It’s sad tho. Now most Japanese car manufacturers don’t make cars in Japan. They are usually made in American plants put together by American hands. This is the case for the US at least. Not sure about other countries tho.
Remember............. They bought S-class saloon, 7-series saloon & Jaguar XJ saloons. They pulled all apart & COPIED so much to save time & money. Mazda pulled apart Lotus Elan & Fiat X1/9 for secrets to make MX-5. Honda pulled apart Ferrari 348 & Lotus Esprit to make NSX. Asians are incapable of original thought. EVERYTHING of any value we buy from them was originally invented/patented by Western companies.
@@Mr.Scootinii have owned a Toyota Auris hybrid which was made in the UK. Best car i ever owned. Now i drive a Lexus CT200h hybrid. Technically speaking it has the same driveline as a Prius gen3 but with more luxury in it. Same story. Very good very reliable car.
I worked for one of those first dealers and participated in the N.A. launch of the LS400. Base price: $35,000. The car was so much better at 1/3 of the cost than anything else. The germans saw it coming and still got knocked on their ass.
I've Had a ls400 for over a decade, I love it.....
And with knockoff culture legitimized, car innovations never appeared again.. sad!
How’d it compare to the Infiniti J30, picked up one a few months ago and it’s un ironically the most reliable car I’ve ever owned so far.
@@BoycottChinaa it declined but definitely happened till the 2010s
Its 2022 and i just purchased a 1992 LS400 that has been kept in pristine condition. 88k original miles and a whole book full of regular maintenance records done by the time they were supposed to be done. Interior is immaculate and the exterior paint as shiny as the day it rolled out of the showroom. Previous owner rarely used it and had it in a garage with AC. He also had a detailing company come out once every 6 months to detail it regardless if it was used or not. This vehicle has more technology than many new cars and its smother and more comfortable than any other i have driven.
I want to get one as well
This is amazing!!! I'm getting a 1992 LS400 tomorrow for $5800, has 80k miles so super low, 1 owner, ofc built in japan. It has a new alternator, battery, timing belt and tires. No mechanical issues! I'm so looking forward to buying it tomorrow. Hopefully, wish me luck!!
damn. good luck! If you do, please report back :)
Sounds like a great deal. I'm with Swoosh definitely keep us posted!
@@Swooshpragler I got it!!!
@@Barchetta i got it!!
Nice catch. Hope it treats you well!
Thank you for this story. The Celsior definitely caught my attention when I was stationed in Japan from 92-96. Took me 22 years but I finally purchased a low mileage 2014 LS460L AWD in 2018. What a joy to drive and own. Thank you Toyota. A 2013 Avalon and 1997 Land Cruiser join her (Miyuki) as part of my current stable.
Best car in the world!
i got ls 430 in 2017 with 82k on clock, 11k cash.... and it has been the best sedan i ever owned in my life. Brakes, tires, timing kit, done... at 90k flawless ride!!!
The best Lexus documentary in this platform. I own a GX460 and very proud of it. But after watching this it made me even more proud and showed Lexus is more than just a car.. is Philosophy, is pride, is ethics and values.. is the relentless pursuit of perfection.
I bought an ls400 slammed it on washers and 18’ wheels in the front, I drift it often and it still makes me feel like I could put on a buissniess suit and go to work. Reliability, performance and luxury all out of a great looking car. Yota/Lexus for life
Its amazing to see how far cars have come in the past 100+ years its just amazing to see how simple they were and how technologically advanced they’ve become id say the LS400 is an amazing example for how futuristic the car was.
Amazing documentary. As a Celsior ls400 owner it makes me proud to be an owner.
Thanks for the kind words. I've noticed a lot of owners shuffling through. I'm glad I made something that resonated with you guys. Cheers!
Same, makes me proud
Did it have the F-Pack? A Celsior F-Pack just popped up on BaT, and all of 'Murica was STUNNED by the JDM-only backseat gizmos it had. 👌
I just financed my first Lexus ever. Growing up, I witnessed my family buying Lexus and owning them. Today, it’s finally my turn and I finally get to own one haha.
I saw these at LA autoshow circa 89 with my dad, everyone was creating this buzz about lexus cars and commercials.. the nostalgia of that show has never left me, and seeing one of the most powerful car companies come to fruition in front of my teenage eyes in early 90s compelled me enough to CURRENTLY own 91 ls400 , 92 Toyota aristo (gs300) 93 sc300, and first hard top convertible 03 sc430.. it started as one for a hobby but soon became my passion, addiction, etc..etc.. but owning everyone of Lexus 1st generation Flagship vehicles that put them on the Map today is my pride and joy.. each car had an epic story of how they came about CELSIOR, Aristo, SOARER.. they used Greek names for these cars because that's how highly they were regarded.. I truly believe owning 3 of lexus 1st cars will come to be a fruitful endeavor for me.(one day)....because when the history is written on Lexus, NO ONE will EVER ask.."whats the 2nd car lexus made ??"
I got mine 3 months ago. If your in the market for one right now I wouldn’t think twice about it! Best car ever made you get complimented everyday mann
Nice. Great to hear!
We are proud owners of two Lexus the GX 460 and LS430
That's a nice, well-rounded Arsenal of vehicles. Thanks for watching!
Owner of a 2006 Lexus LS430 never getting rid of mines truly a gem 💎 of a car 🥰😎
My ls430 is the best car I have ever owned. I am 75 years old and have owned many cars.
🤦🏾♂️…wow the pursuit of perfection coming into to play…hands down best in class to this date no doubt 😁🤛🏾
This car to this day , is better than many new cars
I got a LS430 about 4 months ago and it's the best car I have ever owned.
As a Toyota and Lexus owner of 08 LS460 ,13 LS460 and a 16 Tundra and previously owned two GX460's 12 and 14 and a GS350 F Sport and numerous toyotas prior to these cars iam a loyalist to the brand whole hearted...only other documentary ive seen that comes close to this in detail and research and development of lexus/toyota engineers is the docu on the LFA thank you Barchetta for this.. the Lexus LS is the best car on this planet not for any particular reason but for a variety of reasons.. i read this somewhere and i fully believe it especially once you owned one and it doesnt matter if it was an 89 or 21 ...and not just to merely test drive one you have to own one to truly appreciate respect and understand the hard work and engineering behind the brand
I really enjoyed this video. I'm a little biased being a '98 LS400 owner but I love hearing automotive history!
Glad you enjoyed it!
1998 ls400 owner here also!!!
2006 Lexus LS430 owner here never getting rid of mines it’s truly a gem 💎 of a car 😍🥰😎
@@rtroeun 🤝
@@theodoreyoung8777 right on!!!
This was an incredible documentary! This car will be on books about automotive history for sure.
This was truly a fantastic and *very* well researched documentary. I believe you deserve more praise than you're getting here! I'm the proud owner of a 2015 Lexus ES-350 in "Battleship Grey" and it's truly a pleasure to drive!
Thanks for watching. I hope your Lexus treats you well for many years!
i love my ls400 it’s so cool to say i drive the first lexus it really is a piece of automotive history idk if i’ll never sell it but i have a feeling it the next few years we’ll see some appreciation in value
I own 1, 1999 ls400. 104,000 thousands miles on her. Looks brand new.. it was a gift from my aunt and uncle. Very nice car i must say
Easily the Best car I ever owned.....had many Luxury cars since....NOTHING comes close to the reliability....and sheer driving pleasure of an LS400....My 460 was terrible to drive in comparison.
The LS400 was still too noisy, with too much wind and road noise. Engine noise was well suppressed, tho...
@@John-rt1yx I just got one and it's almost unsettling how quiet it is in the car. I have no idea what your talking about. Driving on the highway there is barely any wind noise going 70mph.
How do you think the LS400 compares to the LS430? I just bought myself an 02 LS430 and I'm in love with it. I've never driven an LS400 or an LS460 to compare the generations. Compared to any of the other cars I've owned it's just on a different level of quality and comfort. That v8 packs a punch for a 20+ year old car.
@@Jamie_2012_GT obviously he never drove one new.
@@bigmoney1250 The LS430 is an improvement in practically every measure, but keep in mind that each improvement was only nominal since the original LS400 was nearly perfect anyway. I prefer the LS430, but wouldn’t thumb my nose at an LS400. The 2007-2009 LS460s seem to be a step backward for Lexus with higher wind noise, harsh engine sounds and less reliable electronics (albeit, slightly). 2010 and up seem like very well executed LS sedans.
Not afraid to say I’m obsessed this this vehicle👌🏾.. perfection and nothing less🤌🏾
Great documentary. I was proud to own a black 1998 Gold badge LS400. To have a full colour touch screen Sat Nav / infotainment unit and not to mention many other outrageous luxuries it was a car way ahead of it's time.
A superbly made and very well researched documentary. Thank you
Thanks for watching!
@@Barchetta Loved it. But your voice is a little stilted. What is that accent?
The music is distorting the voice,not very Lexus.
Cars will never be the same. I wish I could go back in time to experience these.
Just buy one.
I feel like this video ended prematurely. I would've like to hear how the car was received by the press and maybe how well they sold.
Same. There needs to be a part 2
Great video on the history of Toyota/Lexus,a great watch from a Lexus fan.
Thank you
The F1 team operated like an Intelligence Agency!
I helped my late father get the Lexus RX330. The car was perfect. After his passing, I had to remove the door panels to do some work, and I noticed the attention to detail, the interior of the panels were coded with hand written Japanese marker pens, they kept vibration absorbent tape between each panel in the interior. Lexus of old were probably the best built cars in the world, as most examples still survive.
What an awesome documentary. Coming from a mainly Toyota buying family and owning a V8 powered 4Runner with almost 300k on the clock myself, I love learning of their history and how thorough they are with research and development. If I were ever presented with a choice of being given a Merc, BMW or Lexus.. guaranteed I’d take the Lexus in a heartbeat. Reliability and piece of mind, I feel, is synonymous with the Toyota/Lexus brand and I’m pretty sure I’ll never stray away from that in vehicle ownership!
Had one of these 1991 year of production, bought 1998 kept for 7 years fantastic car, 30 MPG on the motorway what quality
I had a 1994 Infinti Q45 and a 1998 GS400 two of the best cars I own. I wish they would go back to there roots
A thoroughly researched, very well made and beautifully presented documentary.
Thanks for watching
This car defined my professional and personal outlook on so many levels. Saw my first one when I was stationed in Hawaii and first noticed how it stood apart from everything else in that segment.
The information and historical events that this video has gathered, and finally its presentation are incredible.
Ichiro Suzuki engineered the LS400 then went on to break the single season hit record, is there anything this man cannot do?
I was waiting for this one.
Talk about skill ! Not to mention, he got the hits record at like 70 years old.... amazing!
Outstanding background and history on the car's development. Fabulous work.
The LS400 is styled really well; it's very distinctive and obviously Toyota, but it's not garish or silly or exaggerated in any way - it's hard to point to any one part of it that is distinctive on its own. The design language itself is the distinctiveness. Very impressive from that perspective.
proud owner of A first gen 1990 ls400, shes my everything
The 1999 UCF20 model was the best for me. Understated Luxury.
My family has been the Toyota importers for the SouthEast United States since 1969 . We also opened a Lexus dealership right from the start , we have been the largest volume Lexus dealer in the world since the very beginning. Toyota is in my blood .
The king of Affordable Luxury, I already knew a bit of the history of Lexus but this was icing on the cake, Oh and by the way I am heading down to Dallas To pick me up a 2000 Lexus LS 400 only 100k on it, This will be my First LS and my Fourth Lexus.
Sounds like a great pickup. Thanks for your support.
How much did you end up paying for it?
Thank you for your efforts, this is a very well made documentary. Merc, BMW and Lexus have always been my top favorite brands!
Hands down. The best car ever built! In years to come these cars will be true classics.
Best car ever, the Lexus LS.
🤝 owner of a 2006 Lexus LS430 I’m never getting rid of mines truly a gem 💎 of a car 🥰😎
How do you have only under 1000 subscribers?? Your content is incredible; keep up the amazing work. Subbed!
Thank you. Glad you're along for the ride!
Toyota's philosophy of over building cars for known tasks makes their cars reliable. Instead of cutting build costs to make profit more quickly Toyota went after the big money by turning the consumer into a loyal buyer. I have owned a LS400 which led to my current LS430. My experience with those cars have led me to Toyota for all other vehicle needs, my pickup is a Tacoma.
I've got a GS450h and i absolutely love the engineering quality and little touches. Total pleasure any time i go out in it. Lexus truly are a great car brand.
Just bought this car and really appreciate such an informative piece. Great work Barchetta!
10 out 10 excellent video! Toyota/Lexus went ALL out in the search for absolute Perfection!! I thought Lexus went right thru Mercs BMWs etc seeing what made them tick, ( i could wrong ), Personally i rate Toyota above ALL others the Germans USED to build good cars but not anymore!! ( Some German vehicles are using Chinese made engine/gearboxes ) Nissan before they merged made GOOD cars!
love it! two proud owners of a LS460 and RX350.
I currently own a 2006 ls430. The car is absolutely amazing to own. Needs a few repairs but it still runs flawlessly.
What repairs ??
The LS400 to this day remains one of the best cars ever manufactured hands down. The build quality both inside and out even after 25-30 years shows as a testament to how much thought went into this car. Everything that came after the LS400 only set out to be as good as it. My next purchase will likely be a LS400 or one of its successors like the GS400 or SC400.
basically the cultivation of the pros of every successful car made in history put into an ultimate luxury machine
Never owned one, but this Film makes me thinking this is the best car of the World
nothing beats Toyota/Lexus
This is very well thought out and informative documentary I find interesting.
Captivating! The attention to detail in this documentary is exquisite 👌🏾 #LS430 Owner
Thanks for watching
Very nice work, thank you for this! big fan of the car and the brand.
Great video! Thank you to the creators of it!
OBSESSED WITH MY LS400 ❤️ had to watch this!!
This documentary is amazing
For those who don't know, the Nissan Sunny is the same car in the US but is termed Nissan Sentra. The sense of hospitality that are given to guests is inherent to Asian cultures which, in turn, permeates into the working culture seen in Lexus dealerships, Ravi Peiris M.D.
My Respect for a detailed description of Toyota/Lexus history, it was a hard work for you like for Toyota, greetings from Honduras 🇭🇳
How have I never found your channel before? This is excellent. I'm subbing. When the Algorithm Gods finally favour you I've no doubt your channel will blow up, great work man, thanks for making these.
These videos are amazing!
Got a 2010 LS 460. Absolutely love it. It’s crazy no matter the year they always fit in stylistically with any generation of luxury cars.
I owned a 2010 LS460 for 10 years, fantastic vehicle. Traded it in for a 2021 Genesis G90 last year. I love the G90, but the LS460 really was a great car.
Such an engineering marvel! One of the greatest cars ever designed and built.
Really appreciate this documentary
great channel, great doc. keep it up man
Will do! Thanks for your support
Thank you so much for making this fascinating look into one of the greatest cars ever created. Fell in love with Lexus a few years ago when I convinced my mother to trade in her boring ass 98 Camry for a clean low mileage 93 LS. She loves it and so do I. Last week I was finally able to get my own and scored a silver two tone 2000 LS. To now see two different gens of this incredible car parked side by side puts a giant smile on my face. Respect to anyone who knows and loves these amazing cars. 1UZ for life!!!
Get newer cars
@@Patrick3183 What kind of authority on what other people should drive do you consider yourself? A lot of people are driving older cars than mine still. Obviously if you haven’t driven an LS, you just don’t get it. Newer cars have shit build quality and tech I don’t want or need either. So I’ll drive what I like, and you drive whatever you like punk.
@@Patrick3183 🤡
This is a great channel. Surprised it doesn’t have more subs
شكراً للوثائقي والترجمة خصوصاً ونتطلع لجديد قناتكم 🙋🏻♂️❤️
mohamed is gay 🌈
Excellent research layout video, Thank You ! ☺️👍
Wow! Amazing job! I didn't know a majority of things in here and I am a Lexus fan! Didn't know about the Lexis Nexis lawsuit either! Crazy!
Great documentary, on how the Lexus Marketing team took on the North American Car market.
Japanese engineers came to Cali to better understand the culture and create something amazing. Different people went to Cali previously and set out to destroy western society. Both have achieved massive success, but if it only balanced out...
Excellent history of this now legendary brand 👍🏽
I just saw the previous comments. I owned a 93 GS300, 99 GS400, 04 RX330, and now have a 07 LS460L. Yes, I’m a Lexus dude, and I got my wife onboard. She’s currently looking at a 2023 IS350 F sport and my next will be the iconic GSF.
Incredible video production of such a wonderful automobile. Bravo! The best, most reliable car company in the world, in my opinion. Owned a 1992 LS many years ago.
I'm impressed!! Thanks!
Thanks for watching!
Thanks again for an excellent account!👍👍👍
This is a stunning video
Subbed! Great content man
I haven't owned yet, but I'm a Toyota fan through and through.
Iv got a 1UZ out of a JDM Celsor in my Nissan C33 Laural and a 154 box goes great after killing 4 RB20DETS ,hey from New Zealand
Wow! This is AMAZING!! Such a legendary company, can’t wait to buy my first Lexus
The best I've seen !!
So nice to learn abt my favourite brand
Excellent. Subscribed
I love the whole bit about the thought process and design of the dealerships. There’s a Lexus dealership right down the road from me. It used to be a Service Merchandise department store until 1999, then it became a Lexus dealership. They kept the shell of the building, but made extensive renovations to hide any trace of its department store origins. The only thing they kept were these giant gridded windows above the entrance, which they use to advertise the current flagships. The building itself is quite large and substantial, probably the largest car dealership building I’ve ever seen. Every time I drive past it, I think about how inviting and cool it looks, cause you can see inside through all the windows and it’s very brightly lit at night. It definitely seems like the type of place that’s an experience to visit.
40:40 Keys were a huge deal back then. I remember the Q45's key. NOW THAT was a key. Oh my it felt good and looked it too.