Update 3/7/24: The Mitsuoka M55 will be produced! A press release from Mitsuoka (in Japanese) in late February indicates that the response to the concept was overwhelming. After ensuring the company could acquire enough Honda Civics to carry out the conversions, the M55 should debut sometime in 2025. The company received over 1,300 inquiries in just a few months through its website, and that appears to have tipped the scales in the M55’s favor. The car will be hand-built, so Mitsuoka makes it clear that production will not satisfy demand. So, there you have it: another fascinating, unusual Mitsuoka is headed to production.
The original article continues below.
Mitsuoka is not a household name in the U.S., but if you’ve ever perused an “ugliest cars” list, you’ve probably seen its most infamous creation: the Orochi, looking like one of Cthulu’s lost slippers and packing Toyota bits rearranged in a mid-engined sportscar body. More recently, the Toyota RAV4 got a Mitsuoka makeover as the Buddy, a retro-flavored creation with some awkward proportions. Speaking of awkward proportions, a new Mitsuoka concept just dropped, and it’s something else.
Mitsuoka M55 Concept: A Nod to 1970s Car Culture
This is the Mitsuoka M55 concept, looking for all the world like a love letter to 1970s automotivedom—which it most definitely is, given that it honors the company’s 55th birthday. Mitsuoka points to the Japanese love affair with American car culture and styling, and the emergence of hot GT cars in Japan (think Hakosuka Skyline), and the M55 concept aims to capture that vibe. Key features include:
- Rear louvers
- Quad round headlights
- A mid-Atlantic accent grille, reminiscent of a Lancia-flavored Challenger
- A lip spoiler
- Ovoid Datsun-esque taillights
However, upon closer inspection of the front three-quarters, one realizes there’s no traditional 1970s front-engine, rear-drive chassis underneath. In fact, it’s a modern Honda Civic with an elaborate face-lift. Everything between the A- and C-pillars is 100 percent Civic, and the interior receives only the lightest retro touches, like the admittedly awesome grommeted sport seats. Consequently, it somewhat resembles a Dodge Challenger or Charger that has seen better days.
The Future of the Mitsuoka M55
It’s a very Mitsuoka pastiche of cool bits grafted onto an improbable donor vehicle, which reflects the company’s unique design philosophy. But will the company build it? It is certainly no stranger than the company’s other products, nor does it seem more challenging to produce. Therefore, it may depend largely on the interest generated from its display at a couple of Japanese Mitsuoka dealerships over the coming months. This vehicle may very well become a standout at future automotive events, particularly Honda car shows.
