Rare Manual Transmission Lexus SC300 Added to DFW Car & Toy Museum Collection
A rare 1996 Lexus SC300 with a five-speed manual transmission has joined the Ron Sturgeon Collection at the DFW Car & Toy Museum, highlighting the growing scarcity and collector value of well-preserved Japanese grand touring cars.
A 1996 Lexus SC300 equipped with a five-speed manual transmission has been added to the Ron Sturgeon Collection at the DFW Car & Toy Museum, showcasing a rare configuration that is increasingly difficult to find in today's collector market. The black SC300 features the iconic 3.0-liter 2JZ-GE inline-six engine producing 225 horsepower and 210 lb-ft of torque, paired with the manual gearbox that enthusiasts highly prize for its driving engagement.
The vehicle's significance lies in its exceptional preservation, with only 51,000 miles on the odometer and original features that demonstrate Lexus's commitment to luxury and performance during the 1990s. The car includes four-wheel independent suspension, four-wheel disc brakes with ABS, wood trim interior, driver-seat memory, cruise control, cassette stereo, and automatic climate control. The instrumentation features a 160-mph speedometer, 8,000-rpm tachometer, and gauges for coolant temperature and fuel level, all framed by a four-spoke leather-wrapped steering wheel.
Ron Sturgeon, owner of the DFW Car & Toy Museum, emphasized the vehicle's importance, stating that the Lexus SC300 quietly became a legend by combining Toyota's reliable engineering with Lexus-level luxury. The manual transmission variant represents a particularly sought-after configuration that is becoming harder to acquire in good condition as years pass. The museum, which houses over 200 classic, exotic, and rare vehicles along with more than 3,000 collectible toys, continues to expand its collection throughout the year.
The addition of this rare Lexus underscores the growing appreciation for well-preserved Japanese performance cars from the 1990s era, particularly those with manual transmissions that offer a pure driving experience increasingly absent in modern vehicles. Collectors and enthusiasts recognize these vehicles as representing a specific period in automotive history where mechanical engagement and luxury began converging in the Japanese market. The museum's location at 2550 McMillan Parkway in Fort Worth provides visitors access to this expanding collection, with operating hours Tuesday through Saturday from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. More information about the museum and its collections can be found at https://dfwcarandtoymuseum.com.