From Motomachi to Melbourne: How Auto Icons Delivered a Lexus LFA Masterpiece to a Global Collector
Jamie Ong
The Call That Started It All
Our story opens with a late-night WhatsApp ping from a longtime Singaporean client. He owned a 2011 Lexus LFA - one of only 500 hand-built examples - garaged in Japan. He knew the car was museum-grade, but wanted it in front of the right international audience, with zero compromise on security or provenance. That’s where Auto Icons stepped in.
Why the LFA Still Stops Time
Forget “sleeper” status; the LFA has graduated to bona-fide blue-chip collectible. Its 4.8-litre 1LR-GUE V10 sings to 9,000 rpm and fires out 552 hp, a powerband so frantic Lexus had to ditch an analog tach for a digital one. Jeremy Clarkson famously called it “the finest car I’ve ever driven” (topgear.com) - and that sentiment keeps values climbing. This particular car’s spec sealed its unicorn status: Whitest White (079) paint over red leather, 13,000 km from new, and full Lexus Japan history.
Choosing the Right Partner
We floated quiet offers to known LFA hunters, but decided the most transparent route was a high-profile auction on Collecting Cars. Our APAC relationship with their team meant priority placement, bespoke copywriting, and round-the-clock bidder vetting. The result? Global eyeballs and a fever-pitch comment thread before the first bid landed.
The Auction, The Deal, The Delivery
Bidding closed at a figure that both honored the car and thrilled our client. We brokered the post-sale negotiation and orchestrated the delicate export - from deregistration in Japan to enclosed transport, quarantine prep, and final hand-off to its new custodian in Melbourne.
We protected our clients’ interests through every step of the process - especially at the critical handover stage. By managing the deal directly and working with trusted exporters, we ensured the car didn't move until funds are secured. It’s about minimizing risk, controlling exposure, and delivering peace of mind.
Why Provenance Pays
With super-limited production, an engine co-developed by Yamaha’s F1 division, and near-mythical driving dynamics, the LFA sits on the same investment shelf as Porsche’s Carrera GT and Ferrari’s 599 GTO. Low-mileage, single-owner cars like this trade at a premium because they pair technical brilliance with an unrepeatable origin story.
A Win-Win for Seller and Buyer
Our Singaporean client got white-glove guidance and top-of-market money without lifting more than a pen. The Australian buyer received a fully documented, ready-to-register icon - complete with our post-delivery support for compliance and future servicing.
Thinking of moving a modern classic across borders? Auto Icons doesn’t just list cars - we curate legacies, aligning the world’s rarest machines with collectors who understand their worth. Let’s talk about your next chapter via Whatsapp, email, or through the contact form.