Wald International, a Japanese tuning company, has been one of the premier body kit & modification developers for Lexus since the LS 400. The new LS 460 is their latest subject, which they treated with a very distinctive reverence:

Save for the rims, the USF40 Executive Line body kit is nothing overly flashy, and is a much more subdued look than would be expected. Of course, there’s more to it than that, as this bodykit replaces both bumpers and sideskirts, as well as adding both a roof and trunk spoiler. This package would retail in Japan for approximately ¥270,900 ($2,200USD). Add in the modified brakes and rims shoots the price up substantially to ¥2,395,000 ($19,600USD).

Wald also offers interior mods, including a full wood to carbon fibre conversion kit.

[Via: Nihon Car]

It doesn’t look much like a Lexus, but this restored 1955 Ford F-100 owes a great deal to the LS400. Owners Terry & Terri Altman used the ‘91 Lexus LS400 1UZFE engine, along with its steering column and instrumentation in their restoration.

As for why, here’s a quote from their interview with Custom Classic Trucks:

They remarked that it was the company’s slogan that made a huge impact on their decision to install something other than a Ford or Chevy V-8 under the hood.

“The Passionate Pursuit of Perfection” is what solidified the decision to install the ‘91 Lexus V-8. With its enormous wiring harness and several computers, it was a formidable mechanical challenge in itself. The slogan also describes the considerable effort Terry has invested in the construction of his beautiful black ‘55 F-100 in his attempt to make it modern but not radical.

The result of their hard work is an amazing meld of old & new, with the dependability of a Lexus engine & cachet of an exceptional classic truck. This was a very smart and unique approach to restoration, and is bound to be a vehicle that the Altmans can enjoy driving for years to come.