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Toyota Century

The only front-engined, rear-wheel-drive, V12 car Japan produces, the Century is a mighty lump of modern-retro-expensive brilliance. Looking like a monster Nissan Cedric, Toyota's home-market flagship gets a 276bhp, 5.0-litre V12 and has been produced in Japan since 1967, with its only major redesign in '97. The doors are fully electric, the suspension courtesy of air-ride, most are ordered with wool trim (quieter than leather) and have lace curtains in the rear instead of tints. Timewarptastic. Cost? Just £61,000. In Japan, at least.

Words: Tom Ford
Pictures: manufacturers 

This feature first appeared in the October 2011 issue of Top Gear magazine