1997 Toyota Celsior, C-Package UCF21

ackage saloon is fresh off a recent service including a new timing belt and water pump. At only 54k verified and documented miles, this Toyota has seen a fraction of the use of our domestic LS400s. Beloved for its ease of ownership, bulletproof reliability, and heaps of luxury appointments, this stylish Japanese Classic leaves little to be desired. Affordable, collectible, and cool, this fabulous four-door would make for a clean slate for a VIP build, unique family hauler, or dependable daily driver. Built to stand the test of time, this executive class Celsior has staying power and is an incredible overall value with a timeless design to boot! The cabin is spacious for a sedan and has loads of electric amenities so that everyone can motor in comfort. The driver and front passenger benefit from dual side and front SRS airbags and power chairs to find the ideal seating position. The driver can utilize the electric tilt and telescoping steering column to get comfy, and functional power windows, power locks, and power-folding mirrors all operate and make daily use more enjoyable. The tan wool upholstery is soft to the touch and in good shape. The seats lack any major rips, holes, or tears and the matching material can be found in the door cards. The digital dual zone climate control is intuitive to operate and cool the cabin quickly, and also get you nice and toasty. A Panasonic audio system is close by and supplies the cabin with tunes to supplement the commute. The headliner is clean and held taut to the roof and lacks major damage and the carpets have withstood the past 26 years without sustaining major abuse. Aside from some light seat staining, it’s hard to complain about the interior and even a rare OEM trash receptacle, owners manuals, maintenance booklets, and OEM carpet mats and trunk liner are included with the purchase. The platform is shared with our domestic LS400 models so parts and service are a snap. Popping the hood is a stress-free affair as we replaced the old bonnet shocks with new ones. This 1UZ-FE is a smooth and stout powerplant and is fresh off an oil and filter service and runs smoothly thanks to eight new spark plugs. To keep the oil level on full, we resealed the oil pan while it was on the lift. A new engine air filter allows the 4.0L to breathe freely and thermal efficiency is handled by a new radiator, thermostat, and new coolant. Best of all, one of our trained techs has performed a timing belt and water pump service, which is good for ten years and 100,000 more miles. While we were in there, we replaced the cam seals and front main seal so that the 1UZ now has a new lease on life. It’s linked to a five-speed automatic gearbox, that allows the Celsior to accelerate much more quickly than the outgoing 4-speed cars. Shifts feel reassured and power is thrown to the rear wheels, as it should be in a luxury saloon. It stops quickly thanks to large, standard ABS brakes that bite down hard when called upon. The suspension insulates completely from the road and can be raised and lowered with the press of a button. For VA state inspection, new front lower ball joints and caster arm bushings were installed. The power steering is on point and feather-light and this UCF21 goes right where you point it. New all season tires are mounted and balanced at each corner. Freshly aligned the new rubber quiets road noise and will provide grip for tens of thousands of miles to come.