A Rare yet Dazzling Sight: One-of-100 2021 Lexus LC 500 Convertible in Structural Blue

Lexus understood that form may often come before function. Throughout time, we have seen great vehicles on sale that did not find buyers because they just looked poorly designed. But in the world of premium-luxury automobiles, the stakes are much higher. Nearly everything has to be right. Otherwise, well-off customers will not spend their money on an object with wheels that is considerably pricier than a mass-market commuting appliance.

To put it like a horologist, nobody would buy a Grand Seiko when Seiko already exists and does a fine job by itself at measuring time. Grand Seiko must find its own way into an ever-changing world with a classical proposition.

But the LC 500 is one of the best-looking vehicles currently on sale today. It may be missing some techy features and gimmicks and not be crazy powerful, but the most recent refresh made it "Polar" cool. The combination of a Stormtrooper body with a blue interior is reminiscent of a cold, pure environment where purity blends with the all-mighty water – the elixir of life.

However, we're not going to dwell on the new open-top model and its 471-hp eight-cylinder mechanical beating heart that helps the grand tourer reach 60 mph from a standstill in 4.6 seconds. No, we're going back in time to honor the 2021 LC 500 - a Lexus that's rarer than the 2024 model year unit: only 100 copies were made. For the current Inspiration Series release, 125 models are planned.

A belated but great decision

Lexus brought forward the luxury coupe around five years ago. For some unknown reasons, the Japanese brand waited three years before cutting the fixed metal roof off and replacing it with a soft top.

Fortunately, when Lexus finally did it, the brand did not refrain from giving customers a reason to buy it. The Inspiration Series treatment was applied, and a limited run of 100 LC 500 Convertibles with a Structural Blue exterior and a white interior appeared.

It was a witty marketing decision that guaranteed the vehicle would eventually sell thanks to its accentuated appeal. But it was also proof that Lexus understood humans. We have an innate desire for beauty, and, luckily, we put a price on exclusivity.

When it was launched, the "normal" rear-wheel-drive grand tourer had a price tag of $101,000 before taxes, fees, and options. The limited-edition two-door and somewhat of a four-seater open-top wonder, however, was released into the wild with an MSRP of $120,080. Surprising no one, it hid the same 5.0-liter V8 as the current 2024 LC 500 under the hood that also put out 471 hp.

So, what's so special about this two-year-old GT? The color. More specifically, the Structural Blue finish. A butterfly inspires it.

Spectacular wings

The Morpho peleides Kollar lives its three-week-long life in Central and South America but can be seen in other parts of the world as well. But only with different shades of blue on its wings.

The remarkable thing about this conspicuously fluttering insect is that its wings are made of a rich, attractive blue without containing any blue pigment. Instead, their wings contain microscopic scales structured in a way that strongly reflects blue light.

Pigments absorb certain wavelengths of light and reflect others, giving them their color. For example, blue pigments absorb most colors except blue, which reflect on our eyes. In the case of these butterflies, they achieve their blue color in a different way.

The specific arrangement of these microscopic scales is crucial. It's like having a well-orchestrated arrangement of tiny mirrors. These scales are designed to interact with light in a particular way.

Natural wonders turned into artificial marvels

When white light (which contains all colors) hits these scales, it gets reflected and refracted (bent) in a specific manner due to the structure of those formations.

As white light hits the scales, the light waves bounce off the surfaces of the scales and interfere with each other. This interference causes some wavelengths of light to amplify each other (constructive interference) and others to cancel each other out (destructive interference). In this case, the scales are structured to enhance the reflection of blue wavelengths of light through constructive interference.

This little creature manipulates the behavior of light, and Lexus figured it out, replicated the process, and put it on a car.

Thus, it's not surprising that fixing any paint damage might cost quite a lot. Shops will usually take down parts that need even the slightest retouching to ensure they're doing it right. If a pricey protection film ever made sense, it's for this GT!

Finally, now it's understandable why this owner takes care of their 2021 Lexus LC 500 Convertible Inspiration Series, which also happens to be the second unit to ever leave the factory in this special attire.

If you're ever around Memphis, you might want to visit the local Lexus dealer. Who knows what other surprises might be hiding there!