Last Wednesday, August 5, a unique LC 500 Convertible from Lexus raised a whopping $2 million (Php 97.86 million) for charity, with all proceeds of the hammer price going to two charities: Boys & Girls Clubs of America and the Bob Woodruff Foundation.
After production started last month for the all-new flagship Lexus convertible, the winning bidder is no other than Kent Stevinson, Dealer Principal of Stevinson Lexus of Lakewood in Colorado.
Since its debut at the LA Auto Show last year, Lexus' 2021 LC 500 Convertible has been stealing the spotlight, but the unique convertible version auctioned this past January at the Barrett-Jackson event in Scottsdale, Arizona, is a different thing entirely.
The unique L500 is based on the limited Inspiration Series, and it features stunning Structural Blue exterior paint, elegant white semi-aniline leather-trimmed interior, unique blue brake calipers and Liquid Platinum accents. Aside from being the first LC500 convertible in a line full of coupes, one of its more collector-worthy traits is its VIN ending in 100001. Needless to say, Stevinson was incredibly excited to lay eyes on it for the first time.
“To actually see the car eight months later from seeing the prototype at Barrett-Jackson, it was quite the presentation and it hits you that this is vehicle number one,” Stevinson said. “When I was on the Lexus Dealer Council I saw the prototype of the convertible, so just knowing you are taking delivery on the first one is really something.” As a council member, Stevinson was able to see first-hand the vehicle evolve from concept to final production.
“The Bob Woodruff Foundation does an enormous amount for veterans and their families, and that hits close to home, and the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, their history and what they’ve done, particularly in these times when kids are at odds with not going to school. To think that you did this back in January to support these great causes but how now you see the support with the times – I couldn’t be happier,” Stevinson adds. “With Lexus providing a beautiful car, Barrett-Jackson waiving all their fees, and me buying the car … it’s just a win-win for everyone. The end results will have a lasting effect. You couldn’t hope for much more than that.”
The unique LC500 convertible that Stevinson won is not only the first off the assembly line but also the first to be delivered in the U.S. Aside from the unit itself, the auction vehicle comes with a host of special items, such as a framed sketch of the LC 500 Convertible by the Chief Designer Tadao Mori, an engine cover signed by the President of Lexus International Koji Sato and the Chief Engineer Yasushi Muto, a portfolio with production-line photos and a one-of-one certificate signed by the President of Lexus International, the Chief Engineer and the General Manager of the Motomachi plant, Masamichi Okada, the very plant where the vehicle was produced.
“We couldn’t be happier to usher in the launch of the all-new LC 500 Convertible by raising 2 million dollars for two deserving charities,” said David Christ, Group Vice President and General Manager for the Lexus division. “With Mr. Stevinson’s generous winning bid, it just proves we have the absolute best dealers in the industry!”
All proceeds raised from the auction of the LC 500 Convertible has been donated to the Boys & Girls Clubs of America and the Bob Woodruff Foundation. Boys & Girls Clubs of America focuses on creating after-school programs for kids and teens across the United States, with the goal “to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.”
Bob Woodruff Foundation creates programs for veterans, service members and their families. It was founded in 2006 after reporter Bob Woodruff was injured covering the war in Iraq, and he has since led an enduring call to action for people to stand up for heroes and meet the emerging and long-term needs of today’s veterans.
The Lexus LC500 is available in the Philippines, starting at Php 9.91 million. It comes with a 5.0 liter 8-Cylinder engine that makes 470 hp and 540 Nm of torque. The LC500 seats up to four people and has various safety tech features such as a crash sensor, traction control, and a vehicle stability control system.
Photos from Lexus
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