When their ocean-inspired Nori Green Pearl 2020 ‘Inspiration Series’ LC 500 made its debut last summer, it sent more than a few waves through the industry. At that time, the ’Series was a year old, but the entry was the third to come along, following the yellow 2019 LC 500 that dazzled attendees of that year’s The Quail gathering, and the debut Inspiration Series car, a 2018 model LC in Structural Blue, an iridescent nanotech-based shade that took the better part of a year to develop and achieves its color by way of reflected light.

When the Nori Green 2020 LC 500 came along in August, Lexus had already designed itself into a tough spot. As the figurehead of the company, each subsequent entry in the Series was naturally expected to best the previous one. It did, presenting Monterey Car Week gawkers with a remarkably fluid version of the GT.

And already comes the next model year’s Inspiration Series LC 500. For 2021, Lexus returns to the Structural Blue paint, and loses the roof, turning the tourer into a roadster. The rag top LC 500 also features a two-tone interior reminiscent of 1950s American luxury cars, an expression of optimism and limitlessness that is both charmingly quaint and slickly sophisticated.

To keep passengers warm on top-down days bearing a chill, a neck-level heater is included in the design. The 4-layer top is available in four colors, and can be operated at up to 35 MPH, completing its cycle in 15 seconds.

Unfortunately, this Inspiration Series car is limited in production—as is the case with the other series entries, only 100 2021 LC 500 convertibles will be made.