This is hilarious. You may remember me posting up photos of some first generation Lexus SCs done up in grand style, like the one above. Well, it seems like they've also been noticed by local police, including Officer "Smith", who blogs the following:

The latest fad to strike the Bay Area is the uncontrollable urge to purchase a Lexus SC300.

Used of course. Preferably pre-1999 vintage. Aged well.

But to simply purchase one is not enough. Next, you must paint the car in some candy color that simply does not belong on a car. We'll say candy grape purple. Then, you have to choose a contrasting color, say bright piss yellow perhaps, in which to paint a large Lexus "L" symbol on both doors because, of course, the rest of us are far too stupid to know the car is a Lexus. To further assist us idiots, please remember to paint a smaller "L" on the rear fenders as an added reminder.

Maybe you could even get personalized plates to the effect of LXS DUBZ, or some such nonsense.

I had myself in stitches by the time I was done reading his post. Best of all, he used the images from this site. Such a small world.

[Source: Officer "Smith"]

We've seen the finished version of the the Fox/Artisan Lexus IS-F that will be displayed at this year's SEMA, and now another has surfaced -- this time it's a work-in-progess by 0-60 Magazine:

So far, the plan looks to be replacing the hood, front fenders, side skirts and the trunk lid with carbon fiber versions, and some custom exhaust work from Greddy, but what I really want to do is highlight just how crazy the IS-F is without its engine cover:

No matter how many times I see the unmasked engine, it still manages to astonish me.

L-Tuned Parts, the online Lexus parts superstore, is now offering some custom-made IS-F interior mods, including these two steering wheel replacements:

Here's the stock IS-F wheel for comparison's sake:

Replacement steering wheels aren't for the faint-of-heart: Even if you send the IS-F's stock steering wheel in exchange, these carbon fiber versions aren't cheap ($1350USD & $1150USD respectively). This is also ignoring the cost of installation.

(Also available are two replacement shift knobs (one & two) and some additional carbon fiber for the center console.)

[Via: Club Lexus]

The Lexus Canada website is just full of surprises -- first we had the web game that led to a secret video, and now TPP reader Jarrett mentions that there's also an IS-F ringtone available for download. Here's a preview, though I recommend turning your speakers down:

Granted, it's pretty intense, and only spent about three minutes as my default ringtone, but it would be great for freaking out your passengers while driving.

The IS-F ringtone is available here.

I may have linked to the Lexus Canada's IS 350 paddleshift game last year, but it turns out I didn't do well enough to see this secret super revving video:

I'm a big fan of these types of sound visualizations, and near the end it almost looks like the inside of an engine, which in turn reminded me of this excellent BMW M3 commercial.

(Special thanks to Jimmyeater, who's quick-shifting discovered this.)

The 2009 Lexus RX is now on the Lexus USA website, which should put all the rumors of an impending redesign to rest.

The only difference from 2008, it seems, is the addition of the Pebble Beach edition, which brings with it the Truffle Mica exterior color, a limited edition 18" wheel design, chrome grille and some assorted Pebble Beach badging.

The standard FWD RX 350 will start at $37,500 USD, and the Pebble Beach edition at $41,380.