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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Yeah, back in the 80s, Pontiac teamed up w/ a custom shop to market the Pontiac Mera, which was a Fiero dressed up like a Ferrari 328. It was such a great tribute that it was recognized with a cease and desist from Ferrari's attorneys.
Dang that looks good! And as an owner of a 2021 Miata, I know what an excellent product Mazda has. Being a Toyota guy from way back, Mazda is the car company that is in tune with what drivers want now, IMHO.
Even more reason to believe it would be awesome.
Not downhill - they've gone down the escarpment and they're getting worse.
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