Toyota Century V12 (GZG50)
The Toyota Century is the most prestigious automobile in Japan — a hand-built limousine that serves as transport for the Imperial family, prime ministers, and the highest echelons of Japanese business. The second-generation Century, introduced in 1997, featured Japan's only production V12 engine: the magnificent 1GZ-FE, a 5.0-liter DOHC 48-valve unit that was Toyota's engineering tour de force. This engine could run on just one bank of six cylinders if the other detected a problem — ensuring the passenger would never be stranded. The Century's design philosophy was fundamentally different from Western luxury cars: where a Rolls-Royce announced wealth through size and ornamentation, the Century expressed status through understatement, refinement, and perfection of detail. Each Century was hand-built at a dedicated facility, with master craftsmen (takumi) personally fitting the wool upholstery, hand-sanding the extensive lacquerwork, and individually calibrating each car's ride quality. The rear cabin was the Century's raison d'être, featuring massage seats, wool curtains, a refrigerator, and sound insulation that made it quieter than a recording studio. The Century was never officially exported, making it a genuine automotive unicorn outside Japan.
JDM import only — check import legality. The 1GZ-FE V12 is Toyota-reliable but parts are specific to this one model and expensive. The air suspension system is complex. The wool interior is exceptionally high quality but difficult to repair. The extensive lacquer paint requires specialist knowledge. Find a Century specialist — regular Toyota dealers may be unfamiliar with the model.
Each Century was hand-built by Toyota's master craftsmen (takumi) at a dedicated facility. Annual production was typically only 500-600 units. The car was never officially exported — all were sold in Japan.