Americans have likely never heard of Mitsuoka, but the company prides itself on building pretty outlandish cars. Its latest, however, is perhaps its best creation.
The small Japanese manufacturer has turned a Mazda Miata into a C2 Corvette is the most wonderful of ways and it has a very American model name to boot: the Rock Star. While it’s not a dead ringer for a Corvette, the C2 influence is heavy, and it’s the first model Mitsuoka has created with American influence. Typically, the company focuses on European vehicles. The C2 Corvette design can be seen in the front with its sculpted hood and reminiscent design lines that lead us to the rear where circular Corvette taillights reside. Aside from the doors and windshield, the car appears entirely custom in the best of ways.
The small C2 Corvette replica is based on the latest-generation Miata, which means the interior is largely the same as any modern Mazda. And despite its American looks, the same 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine found in the Japanese sports car provides power. We’ve seen hooligans fit LS engines into Miatas before, and Mitsuoka has perhaps created the best candidate for an LS swap in a long time.
Mitsuoka debuted the Rock Star as part of its 50th-anniversary celebrations. As of this writing, the company only plans to build 50 examples, but that could change. And buyers will have an assortment of colors to choose from that all honor major American cities and states: Los Angeles Blue, Chicago Red, New York Black, Cisco Orange, Washington White, and Arizona Yellow.
While a standard Mazda Miata costs $26,625 in the United States, the custom C2 Corvette-based Miata will cost about $41,000 at current exchange rates. But, c’mon, no one can deny how downright cool this creation is.
Comments
They turn a few cars like Altima, March, Miata, Mustang, Corollas into something that the company thinks it would look “Classy”
Looks nice but actually looks more like a BMW Z8 to my eyes… Thoughts?
Hi Sean,
Is this material for reproducing in other publications? I think it would make a great news story in our magazine, Classic American, the UK’s only American automotive publication. Would of course credit yourself and GM Authority.
Cheers,
Ben
The Japanese only doing what they know. Copy someone else’s design.
GM needs to get the hell out of Japan, and do it today.
Why? Any bit of a foot-hold in Japanese market is hard fought and hard earned.
Good point, but it goes both ways. I wonder how fewer Japanese cars would be on sale if GM had been less involved with Toyota in the ’80s and ’90s. This is a personal issue for me, I just hate Japanese cars, so don’t take it personally.
Looks good but too bad they kept the lack of power and the horrific body roll.