This Stupidly Rare Manual Lexus Sedan Is the Closest We Ever Got to a Four-Door Supra

It’s been more than a quarter of a century since Lexus introduced its original BMW 3 Series fighter, the IS sedan. Since then, the IS has evolved over three generations and become one of the company’s best-selling models outside its SUVs.

It’s been two decades since the last first-generation IS sold in America But it hasn’t been lost nor forgotten.

In lieu of the at-the-time booming Japanese tuner scene, many first-gen IS’s met their demise over the years from being chopped up and clapped out, all to be turned into slammed show cars or drifter beaters.

Cammarq via BringATrailer

Understandably so. The original IS was one of two ways to get one of Toyota’s most legendary powerplants with a manual outside of the Supra. Which is why today’s BringATrailer find is an anomalistic beauty to behold.

America’s four-door MKIV Supra

Lexus

Toyota launched the model globally with its version branded as the Altezza in Japan. Americans and Europeans received it as the Lexus IS, which was part of the automaker’s expansion of its luxury subdivision.

Designed and engineered with front-engine placement, rear-wheel drive, the choice of four-cylinder or six-cylinder power and an optional manual transmission, the IS’s mission was clear. It had its sights directly aimed at the BMW 3 Series.

Lexus

But its recipe also held a closely-regarded secret that only Toyota and Lexus fans could appreciate. It used the same six-cylinder powerplant as the fourth-generation A80 Supra: the legendary “2JZ” inline-six.

Lexus sadly didn’t equip the IS with the even more legendary twin-turbocharged “2JZ-GTE” as the A80 Supra Turbo. But its use of the 2JZ still made it a tuner’s favorite.

Lexus

Only a few other vehicles received 2JZ power in the States: the first-generation Lexus SC 300 (which was basically a rebodied, gussied up A80 Supra) and GS 300. However, neither received the turbocharged version in North America.

Lexus

Even though the turbocharged 2JZ-GTE is the most sought-after, tuners still loved the naturally-aspirated version for its robust bones. The entire 2JZ inline-six platform — and even its less powerful 1JZ variant — earned a reputation for incredible durability.

Cammarq via BringATrailer

That made them very susceptible to aftermarket modification and tuning for high outputs without sacrificing reliability.

A first-gen IS that isn’t clapped-out is a sight to behold

Cammarq via BringATrailer

This specific IS 300, however, is truly special. And that’s because it’s one of the rare examples to come with a five-speed manual.

Most buyers opted for automatic-equipped first-gen IS 300s in America. The IS 300 was also one of two ways North American buyers could get a 2JZ inline-six with three pedals aside from the Supra.

The only other option was to spring for a manual-equipped first-generation Lexus SC 300.

Cammarq via BringATrailer

But on top of being rare for having three pedals, this IS 300’s nearly impeccable condition makes it rarer than hen’s teeth. It’s only done a little over 40,000 miles, and its owners clearly preserved and maintained its condition.

Cammarq via BringATrailer

More so, it’s getting increasingly harder to find a first-gen IS that doesn’t have hundreds of thousands of miles on them. Or, finding one that wasn’t been brazenly modified into a wannabe drift car. Or slammed like humpty-dumpty sat on it.

Cammarq via BringATrailer

According to its CarFax, it’s had four owners on paper. But clearly, those who possesssed it chose to maintain its minty condition.

And for that, we have nothing but sheer respect and appreciation for its preservation.

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