If you’re a fan of quirky cars, you’re probably also a fan of Mitsuoka. This small Japanese boutique company started with neoclassics, and has since applied old-school primarily-American styling to all sorts of modern Japanese metal, with a sidequest of building its own supercar along the way. The firm’s latest creation started life as a Mazda MX-5, but at some point, decided it would rather be a C1 Corvette.
This isn’t the first time that Japanese coachbuilder Mitsuoka has grafted classic Corvette visuals onto a modern Mazda. The Rock Star melds C2-inspired styling with the mechanicals of an ND MX-5, and has been turning heads on the streets of Japan for years now. Mind you, the classic-inspired fenders against the MX-5 doors seem a bit strange, but going back a few more years on inspiration might’ve just made everything blend.
For a model the firm’s calling the LA1, Mitsuoka’s set its time machine back to the turn of the swinging ’60s, blending inspiration from the 1956 through 1962 Corvettes. These later C1s featured softer lines than their C2 successors, and a silhouette that blends surprisingly well with the shape of the standard MX-5 doors.
Up front, the inspiration from a late C1 is absolutely undeniable. From the brightwork to the traditional grille slats instead of an egg-crate pattern, the nose of the LA1 could be almost straight out of 1962 if you cover the chin spoiler. Quad round headlights set into brand new fenders seal the deal, yet there’s just enough variance to avoid true IP infringement. The hood treatment and the vertical bumperettes, for example, are unique to the Mitsuoka.
Around the side, a riff on the ’62 Corvette’s iconic sill garnish appears, and Mitsuoka pairs it with a riff on the contrasting panels more frequently seen on slightly earlier models. It’s surprisingly convincing stuff, but things get really interesting around the back of the LA1.
In case you weren’t able to tell from the previous picture, those definitely aren’t quad taillights. Instead, these dual round units set into chrome bezels feel like a reimagination of the taillights on 1956 and 1957 Corvettes. It’s a clever way of varying styling so as not to be a direct copy while also keeping the natural kick-up in the MX-5’s greenhouse flowing.
Weirdly, we’ve reached a point in vehicle performance where a new MX-5 is about as quick as a late C1 Corvette. A 1962 model with the 327-cubic-inch small-block V8 was good for a low-14-second quarter-mile at a trap speed in the mid-to-high 90s, and that’s about what a brand new MX-5 runs today. Handling and chassis tuning has also come a long way over the past 64 years, which means that even though the Mitsuoka LA1 is down four cylinders to a real late C1 Corvette, it still hauls the mail comparatively speaking. Orders are expected to open on Nov. 27, so if you’re in Japan and craving a slice of Americana but don’t want the Shaken inspection hassles of an early-1960s car, this might be just the ticket.
Top graphic image: Mitsuoka
This is strange. While I do loves me some Mitsuoka, I generally think of their cars as quirky, fun, odd, interesting, sometimes lovely, and even occasionally cool. But this…this is
H
O
T
HOT!
I’m not used to that at all.
“That Mitsuoka is hot.”
Yeah, no, it feels funny even as I say it.
This actually looks pretty good. What does these conversions cost though? Seems quite involved,so wouldn’t it add like the price of another mx-5 or something?
Make up on a baby pig.
Only in Japan, will you find this stuff.
I check on what Mitsuoka is up to maybe 2 or 3 times a year. The last time I checked a few months ago they were showing that off. It works I guess the rock star kind of worked. M55 is weird. Viewt really is their bread and butter and I think works the best. Alot of their overseas sales are going to the crazy Chinese EVs people in those markets can get. Costs less and don’t have a history of jatco cvt issues that plagued a lot of their cars.
It’s fun. I’m on board with the idea, especially if you buy it for a tongue-in-cheek laugh, but the wheels have GOT to go. Some OG steelies with center caps would be way better IMHO.
Cragar ss ftw
A bit uncanny valley to me, but it could be a lot worse.