MiaVette

[cawimmer430]

Looks silly. 


The Japanese Don't Like American Cars But They Do Love A Corvette-Inspired Mazda MX-5

Niche Japanese carmaker and coachbuilder Mitsuoka has announced that it's Corvette Stingray-inspired Rock Star has sold out.



We first told you about the Mazda MX-5 based sports car last October and were rather intrigued with what we saw. It seems that car fans in Japan were suitably impressed with the vehicle and have snapped up all 50 examples.

In order to create the Mitsuoka Rock Star, the company starts with the current Mazda MX-5 and strips away virtually every single exterior part. Next, the Corvette Stingray-esque parts are fitted, including a sharp front grille with bright chrome accents and a muscular hood. There are also bespoke side skirts, small air vents behind the front wheels, tiny circular headlights, an altered rear decklid, prominent rear arches, and four taillights.



The Rock Star manages to walk the tightrope of being a blatant rip-off and an original design quite well.

There's no big V8 in sight, however. Instead, the Rock Star retains Mazda's tiny 1.5-liter SKYACTIV-G engine pumping out 130 hp and 112 lb-ft (152 Nm) of torque. Customers can opt between a six-speed manual and a six-speed automatic 'box.

Buying an exclusive Corvette-bodied Mazda MX-5 doesn't come cheap. According to Mitsuoka, prices for the Rock Star started at ¥4,688,200 (~$42,000) and topped out at ¥5,183,600 (~$46,800). Evidently, these prices didn't dissuade buyers.




Link: https://www.carscoops.com/2019/02/japanese-dont-like-american-cars-like-corvette-inspired-mazda-mx-5/

[Payman]

I want to be horrified, but that white one looks... fantastic. 

[CaminoRacer]

I want to be horrified, but that white one looks... fantastic. 

They're certainly one of the least offensive Corvette-styled things I've come across.

[Soup DeVille]

They're certainly one of the least offensive Corvette-styled things I've come across.

That's like giving out awards for "most limbs" in the amputee ward.

[Eye of the Tiger]

That's like giving out awards for "most limbs" in the amputee ward.

I like it

[FoMoJo]

I really don't see the point.   The Miata looks better.

[2o6]

I posted this weeks ago.


It looks fucking fantastic.

[Eye of the Tiger]

I posted this weeks ago.


It looks fucking fantastic.

It does, but I feel like it needs a tiny V8.

[Payman]

I posted this weeks ago.


It looks fucking fantastic.

They should have tried harder with the front headlights though. Is the $42,000 on top of the donor Miata?

[shp4man]

Check out that companies little 1960 Jag sedan (saloon/whatever) knockoff:

[FoMoJo]

Egads!

What is the purpose of taking a classic design and making it look worse?

[shp4man]

Egads!

What is the purpose of taking a classic design and making it look worse?

Individuality. Exclusivity. I guess.

[FoMoJo]

Individuality. Exclusivity. I guess.

Poor taste?

[Payman]

Poor taste?

Dude... Japan. Have you seen their gameshows?

[2o6]

They're kitschy, campy versions of what are average cars.

I love them, they're endearing. Mitsuoka is great.

They should have tried harder with the front headlights though. Is the $42,000 on top of the donor Miata?

No. It's 42k for this car, which is a rebodied Miata.

[MX793]

Given the car's smaller proportions, I find it almost as reminiscent of the original Opel GT as the Stingray.

[AutobahnSHO]

I could totally see wanting to rock a small car around cities. We saw an NA with a pizza sign stuck on the trunk come tearing down the street tonight. Totally makes sense to want something "different" too.

[12,000 RPM]

This is exact opposite of what I was expecting



They should make the kit for NAs.... and sell them with SBC swap kits

[Laconian]

ND + LS? OMG

[cawimmer430]

I posted this weeks ago.

I must have missed it. 

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

They're certainly one of the least offensive Corvette-styled things I've come across.

[Raza]

The Japanese, at least in Tokyo, love Corvettes.  I saw dozens of them, dating back to a C1, when I lived there.  Mustangs too, but I saw more Corvettes than anything else. 

[Soup DeVille]

They love Harleys too, and old G-Vans.

[Raza]

They love Harleys too, and old G-Vans.

I didn't see that many motorcycles (I lived there mostly in winter), but outside of scooters, I mostly saw sport bikes.  I think I saw maybe one or two Harleys.

[cawimmer430]

The Japanese, at least in Tokyo, love Corvettes.  I saw dozens of them, dating back to a C1, when I lived there.  Mustangs too, but I saw more Corvettes than anything else. 

I'm sure they love the classic American sports cars (who doesn't!?). I think the article meant they don't like the more generic American cars, like large pickups and SUVs.

[Soup DeVille]

I didn't see that many motorcycles (I lived there mostly in winter), but outside of scooters, I mostly saw sport bikes.  I think I saw maybe one or two Harleys.

All I know is that its extremely expensive to import them there, but there's a steady business doing so.

[2o6]

I must have missed it. 

You posted in the thread, even.

https://www.carspin.club/index.php?topic=34796.0

[FoMoJo]

You posted in the thread, even.

https://www.carspin.club/index.php?topic=34796.0

How soon we forget.

[GoCougs]

ND + LS? OMG

More weight, sure, but not a huge stretch overall to make it work:

[cawimmer430]

You posted in the thread, even.

https://www.carspin.club/index.php?topic=34796.0

Damn, I knew I was forgetful, but that I could be THAT forgetful...