Posted on 09/18/2026 6:09:30 AM PDT by Red Badger
* The Mitsuoka LA1 is a C1 Corvette impersonator based on the ND MX-5.
* It pays tribute to iconic American styling without going overboard.
* The official debut of the Japanese roadster is scheduled for November 26.
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Mitsuoka has shared more photos and information about its upcoming two-seater roadster. The Mitsuoka LA1 marries the styling of the C1 Corvette with the modern RWD underpinnings of the Mazda MX-5 ND.
The official premiere of the LA1 is scheduled for November 26, but the company has already unveiled the exterior design through a dedicated website. The renderings depict a two-door roadster that looks like the iconic American sports car, but from a distance.
The front end is reminiscent of post-1958 C1 Corvettes, with a quad headlight arrangement and a chrome bumper mounted in front of the larger grille and cooling intakes. Mitsuoka has also added a vented hood and a front splitter.
The profile features the swooping character line of the C1 Corvette formed by the decorative side gills and matching decals on the doors. The latter are derived from the Mazda donor vehicle, as with the windshield frame and the retractable soft top. However, the LA1 gets chrome side skirts and custom rear fenders that lead to a stretched rear overhang.
The rear end continues the theme, copying pre-1961 C1 Corvettes with the taillights mounted on the quarter panels and loads of chrome accents. We can also see a vintage bumper, a custom trunk lid, and Mitsuoka lettering.
The company has yet to announce the specifications, but the Mazda MX-5 ND is offered with 1.5-liter and 2.0-liter four-cylinder engines in Japan, producing 130 hp (97 kW / 132 PS) and 181 hp (135 kW / 184 PS), respectively. Power is sent to the rear wheels via a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission. We also don’t see any reason the Mitsuoka LA1 won’t benefit from the Miata’s latest updates.
This is not the first time Mitsuoka has been inspired by a Corvette. Back in 2018, the coachbuilder unveiled the Mitsuoka Rock Star, which relied on C2 Corvette styling on top of the MX-5 ND platform. It doesn’t take us by surprise that the designer of the Rock Star, Takanori Aoki, has also signed the sketches of the new LA1.
Company founder Susumu Mitsuoka started the company after encountering a vintage-styled kit car, based on modern underpinnings, during a visit to Los Angeles. This experience laid the groundwork for Mitsuoka’s coachbuilding operations that continue to this day.
We will learn more about the Mitsuoka LA1 as we move closer to its debut in November, but it will most likely be a limited-production offering only for the Japanese market.
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I understand, but..... If you lack the gumption and forethought to connect it, it does no good.
Expected Cost of the Mitsuoka LA1: Official numbers are under wraps.
Past custom builds like the Mazda MX-5-based Himiko cost roughly $49,000
(¥6,787,000), while limited runs like the Rock Star reached higher.
I'll give the design props for trying going with a new style.
How about somebody make a retro that has a carb and a distributer, and none of the endless sensors and computer trash?
I love the Mitsouka roadster.
Agreed with your Agreement. Even the ‘standout’ designs are uninspiring. They’re ‘different’, but they don’t appeal. As AI takes over, it will be ever moreso...
It wouldn’t pass the pollution regulations..............
I don't know why they don't bring back the classic styles
From movies, television, and car shows, but the two-tone paint was an option.
Chevrolet manufactured 9,168 Corvettes in 1958.
https://www.corvsport.com/1958-corvette-production/
Of those, 3,422 featured the optional two-tone paint scheme.
https://www.corvsport.com/1958-corvette-options/
Charcoal/Silver 729
Inca Silver/Black 36
Panama Yellow/White 190
Regal Turquoise/White 252
Signet Red/White 756
Silver Blue/Silver 757
Snowcrest White/Silver 499
Tuxedo Black/Silver 199
(The numbers are slightly off which is likely due to the changeover from charcoal to black mid-production).
And the whitewall tires were a defining characteristic but no one is pushing to bring them back, nor the Corvette hubcaps.
Todays cars all conform to the aerodynamical design necessitated by enviro milage standards. There is no allowance made for style. If a car doesn’t meet the milage standard because Style aerodynamic drag reduces milage, It will not sell well.
Sweet looking car, but yes the white side paint detracts. I could live with the chrome :)
THERE IS ONLY ONE:
CORVETTE
McGIVER
RICHARD PETTY
QUIGLEY DOWN UNDER
DALE EARNHARDT SR
DON GARLITS
MAGNUM———
ETC ETC ETC
You can't beat Physics.
You can ignore Physics, but Physics will always punish you for doing so.
Physics is the strong right hand of The Creator. Defy it at your peril ...
Temu version. All the snappiness taken out of it.
Here’s the real thing:
“QUIGLEY DOWN UNDER”
LOL...I really enjoyed that. There was a clip from it on X the other day where he is showing his Sharps Rifle to the locals and hits a bucket at 1,200 yards...standing, iron sights! Great clip.
I would argue that the “sleek” designs they come up with do not add any measurable effect on efficiency that is worth driving a box of crap that falls apart 10 miles after the warranty runs out. What you save in fuel efficiency with engine designs you lose on the cost of having to take it to the shop to replace a $15 sensor. You can’t fix it yourself like real men used to do. Some even have to be taken to the dealer for oil changes and simple stuff because you can’t reach anything in the engine compartment anymore. Don’t get me started on the worthlessness of the touch tv screens. Those are more of a driving distraction since the cell phone came out.
Plus, I feel they are built to fail so you have to buy a new one in the replacement culture we are in now.
It's not my fault you didn't buy a Toyota ...
Agreed. Was just reminiscing about when riding on freeways we kids would be pointing out al the cool lookin cars- can’t do that today, they all look nearly the same and boring as all get out. The bar of soap analogy is quite apt.
With this guy’s kit, a carb car can be leaned out to get as much as a 30% increase in mpg. If you want power, just turn off the kit. Put catalysts on the exhaust and good chance a carb car could pass emissions.
That looks pretty cool, guys.
Good job!
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