1st Generation IS 300 with Spindle Grille

[meth.ix]

I've seen many blogs and videos on the web analyzing how Lexus cars always had the basic shape of the Spindle on their old cars as well, so I was curious how it would look on the IS 300. Please forgive me for the horrible photoshopping.
Here is an image showing how the basic shape was here, and all Lexus really did was take out the separator:

And here is my horrible editing of the 3IS (pre-facelift) F Sport grille on the IS 300:

I should have cropped out the border of the grille to match with the more subtle styling that Lexus had back then.
I think I actually like how it looks!
Here's the original:

 

[IS-SV]

pass (imho)

 

[Tragic Bronson]

 

[Ian Schmidt]

It extends down too far to look right in that photochop, but I agree with the idea that the spindle shape has always been there.

 

[mikeavelli]

Nice observation and I see what you are saying. For me it always began with the HS

Which turned into this for the refresh

 

[meth.ix]

Nice observation and I see what you are saying. For me it always began with the HS

Which turned into this for the refresh

If the HS was named something else, looked nicer and had a 200t version, it would sell much better in the States. Same goes to the CT (except for the looks part) They should also be the same car while the CT is just the Sportcross model of the HS replacement sedan. Then they would be great competitors to the CLA, A3, A-Class, and 1-Series (in Europe)

 

[Carmaker1]

I had mentioned this ad nauseum a few years ago, that this had its earliest roots in 1991-92 with second generation LS400 forming a "mirrored trapezoidal" fascia.

The next cars to even hint at that were the SC refresh in 1996 and 1999 IS (1995 design).

When the LX570 and HS came on stream, you started seeing this again with redesigns. The brand went in this direction around 2006-08. It internally became officially the brand signature in 2010, shortly after final approval of the 4GS.

The F-Sport Grille looks terrible though on that car.

 

[krew]

I had mentioned this ad nauseum a few years ago, that this had its earliest roots in 1991-92 with second generation LS400 forming a "mirrored trapezoidal" fascia.

I think you're right in that the spindle grille has its roots in the early days of Lexus, but the "official" history of the spindle grille was explained to me as the fourth-gen LS, followed by the IS F, the CT, and then finally the GS:

 

[IS-SV]

^, Yes to my eyes the spindle grill retains the Lexus grill basic shape (with flourishes).

btw - I was at post office a couple days ago and saw a 2nd gen IS (SGM) with aftermarket spindle grill/front clip. Without any chrome trim, it blended in well enough on the dark car.