The Mitsuoka Motor Company Ltd. is a Japanese coachbuilder that dates back to 1982.
The company is best known for transforming existing cars into classic British-style sedans. Some of their earlier work involved converting a four-door Nissan Micra by grafting a one-piece fiberglass front and rear end onto a Nissan Micra shell, transforming it into a copy of ’60s Jaguar MKII.
The finished product looks like it has been left in a tumble dryer for too long and has shrunk. I don’t think Inspector Morse (played in the TV series by John Thaw), a huge Jaguar fan, would be at all amused! Mitsuoka calls this model the Viewt.
The company’s latest creation is named the Himiko and has the look of an instant classic. For the moment it will only be available in Japan, at a cost of $50,000. Eventually, one or two will slip out of the country, but don’t expect to see one in Canada for at least another 15 years.
The Himiko begins its life as a Mazda Miata; it is put on a jig and stretched into a long-wheelbase sports car. The finished product is something that looks like a modern rendition of a Morgan. The Himiko is nothing like a Morgan, other than its slightly similar look. It has a closer resemblance to the Panther Lima, in my opinion.
The traditional Morgan lineup has always been considered a driver’s car and not exactly brimming with high-tech gadgets and creature comforts.
The hand-built Himiko is available in three different levels of trim; the engine is a standard 170-hp, two-litre Mazda four-cylinder available with either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic capable of moving its 2,800 lb weight at a reasonable pace.
If you Google Mitsuoka Motor Company, the first entry is the company’s Japanese website. If you select translate, that function will take you to a site where you can spend some time navigating and looking at some of the interesting cars that they have created over the years. If your Japanese language skills are strong, then go directly to www.mitsuoka-motor.com.
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