November 10: A new Century

Picture yourself sinking into the rich cloth back seat of this very limited luxury ride, while your driver gets ready to waft you to your next appointment in the style to which a person of your stature has become so accustomed. Ah, those cloth seats, just like the days of old, when the chauffeur had the leather, while his passengers were coddled in that ultra soft and expensive cloth back seat. You can see for yourself, that not a luxury feature has been left out of this executive class automobile, including reclining and massaging back seats.

Now, I know that you are wondering, what the heck car is this with a cloth interior at this level? Ok, fair enough. I'll give you a big hint by showing you its hand engraved logo.......

Any help? Probably not and you are thinking that this is a joke, as that logo looks like an emaciated chicken. Well folks, this is a Toyota. And not just any Toyota, this is the Toyota Century. A car that only the top creme de la creme of Japanese society will ever get to experience.

Starting way back in 1967, Toyota decided it needed a halo car at the very pinnacle of what was back then, a rather mundane line of cars. Toyota needed a home grown car, that the emperor and those who felt like an emperor would ride in and which could compete with the prestige of a Mercedes or a Rolls. Conservative, but classy, the 1967 version was made up until 1997..........

........and then it was replaced by the brand new Century.......

.....which in turn will be replaced by a new and up to date regal ride, the 2018 Century.......

Following in the Century tradition of black conservatism and not deviating too much from the older designs, so those lower classes will recognize greatness, as it slides silently by, side curtains (yes, it has curtains) drawn.

Annual production at six hundred, just enough for the emperor, his friends and those very wealthy nationalists, who want their rare luxury ride to be a product of the Land of the Rising Sun. Size? Think a little bigger than a Rolls Ghost. Production line? Not a chance, all hand built. Can I buy one? Out of luck, friendo, as this is a Japan only luxomobile. What else do you need to know? Oh, right, what is the price? Surprisingly affordable by handcrafted standards, at a mere $200,000 CDN. Not bad, eh?

Of course, the emperor's ride has always been a little more custom.......

I know, I know, you are longing to be among the elite, so you too can enjoy a ride in a Century, but alas you are merely wealthy. The solution?

Yep, this rare luxury treat has also been converted into a few hearses for those fortunate few, who can afford to have a Century take them for their final ride, not that they will know it. I always say, its not important to have died, it's just important to go in style. And going in a Century is definitely the ultimate in style.

Corollas, Camrys, Lexus. All look up to the Century, as what they would like to be when their tired metal is recycled years down the road. Even cars dream and in Japan you can't dream bigger than a Century.

Until next time........