Rare ONES This time we will discuss about a compact-sized sports car made by Mitsuoka. Did you know those Japanese auto brand? Well, if anyone doesn't know about the brand, that's natural because the Mitsuoka only markets a limited number of car products.
The Mitsuoka Rock Star's styling is modelled after a classic American muscle car, specifically the Chevrolet Corvette C2 of the 1960s. (Picture from: BusinessTimes)
Well, back in 2018, the Japanese car maker, which is known for its quirky design, has again shocked the automotive world in Japan by introducing the Mitsuoka Rock Star figure. Uniquely in appearances and designs, the Mitsuoka Rock Star's figure is not like its predecessor Mitsuoka Orochi or even Mitsuoka Himiko.
When you see this Mitsuoka Rock Star, what's car immediately comes to your mind? In our opinion, as you've seen from the front and back this Mitsuoka's roadster model has similarity designs to the Corvette Stingray C2. However there are clearly some differences, such the Mitsuoka Rock Star has no pop-up headlights, its design lines from the side is more rounded, and looks more modern, plus the rear stern is more sloping.
The
Mazda MX-5 ND or known as the 4th gen of Mazda MX-5 Miata used as the car basis of the Mitsuoka Rock Star. (Picture from: Wikipedia)
Well, did Mitsuoka build this roadster from scratch? Of course not. If you look closely at the car's body line on the side, as you can see there's the doors and rear-mirrors typical shape. From there you can gues the car's base used to build this Mitsuoka Rock Star. Well, those doors and rear-mirrors are still similar with ones attached on the Mazda MX-5 ND (known as the 4th generation of Mazda Miata) which used as the basis of this Mitsuoka roadster.
The
Mitsuoka Rock Star is is powered by a 1,500 cc SkyActiv-G engine that
capable burst out power of 132 PS, and 152 Nm of torque combined with a
6-speed manual or automatic transmission. (Picture from: CarBuyer)
Then for what purpose is the Mitsuoka Rock Star built? The car was intended as a celebration form of the Mitsuoka's 50th anniversary. Well, like the company's previous models, the Mitsuoka Rock Star was sold only for the Japanese Domestic Market with the number of production was only 200 units (with only one unit has left-sided steering wheel), and the model production ceased on February 14, 2021.
The
Mitsuoka Rock Star has similar interior setting as the Mazda MX-5 ND, differ only its logo. (Picture from: BusinessTimes)
Okay, let's discuss the car's design aspects. First from the front, the car's headlights are rounded and small plus it uses a projector model ones. There are no other lights on the front side except for the headlights and a small turn signal at the end of the front bumper. Then what about the bumper? It's cool, and shiny because it has a lot of chrome there, fits the retro concept carried by the car. Its hood also looks muscular with holes and bulges in the middle. While on the side, this car gets 15-inch five-spoke wheels with gunmeal color and black mirrors.
There is a metal strip on the side coupled with the gray-painted side skirts. While the roof, canvas, and the doors still came up under the Miata style. Next, slide to the back side, as you can see the car's has two rounded taillights, and again similar to the Stingray C2, and there are jumbo-sized chrome accents in the shape of a wing like on the rear side. While the rear bumper is gray, harmonizing to its side-skirts. The rear trunk looks sloping and provides quite large of storage spaces.
The
Mitsuoka Rock Star has has two rounded taillights, and again similar to the Stingray C2, and there are jumbo-sized chrome accents in the shape of a wing like on the rear side. (Picture from: CarBuyer)
Then what about the interior? If you've ever seen the interior of the Mazda MX-5 ND, then that's the Mitsuoka Rock Star has also, differ only its logo. It's a shame the interior didn't come with a retro concept. And the last thing is the engine, Mitsuoka Rock Star still relies on Mazda's MX-5 ND engine as well, namely the 1,500 cc SkyActiv-G engine that capable burst out power of 132 PS, and 152 Nm of torque combined with a 6-speed manual or automatic transmission.
Then, how much do fans have to spend in order to bring home this Mitsuoka Rock Star? When it was launched back in 2018, this unique car was priced at around JPN ¥4,688,200 (approx Rp. 633.5 millions). Expensive? Well, it depends, but at least the Mitsuoka Rock Star can be an alternative for those of you who don't want to have a mainstream style while to drive with a Mazda MX-5 in Japan. So, what do you think? *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | ID.MOTOR1 | BUSINESSTIMES ]
Rare ONES Because some time ago we discussed about such a unique American legendary muscle car named the 1976 Corvette Greenwood Sportwagon. Well, on this occasion we are back to discuss other more famous Corvette variants, namely the Corvette XP-755 Mako Shark I and Corvette XP-830 Mako Shark II.
The Corvette XP-830 Mako Shark II (foreground) and Corvette XP-755 Mako Shark I (background) designed by Larry Shinoda in 1961 and 1965, under the direction of GM's Head of Design Division then, Bill Mitchell. (Picture from: AlphaCoders)
Both are known to be a concept car series created by automotive designer Larry Shinoda in 1961 and 1965, under the direction of GM's Head of Design Division then, Bill Mitchell. These concept car series were originally intended to be the base concepts of the Corvette's future cars. As quoted from OtoBlitz, these Corvette Mako Shark designs are said to have been inspired by a mako shark that was caught by Mitchell off the coast of Florida which was reportedly later displayed on the wall of his office.
The Corvette XP-830 Mako Shark II (foreground) posed along with the Corvette XP-755 Mako Shark I (background) outside the GM Technical Center. (Picture from: Wikipedia)
Later, the Corvette Mako Shark I concept along with the Corvette Stingray race car (also designed by Mitchell and Shinoda in 1959) influenced the sleek styling of the 1963 Chevrolet Corvette, including the bulging fender design. Meanwhile, the Mako Shark II influenced the redesigned Corvette C3 of 1968.
The Corvette XP-755 Mako Shark I is built on the platform of the 1958 Corvette XP-700 'double-bubble' concept, with a slightly modified chassis equipped with cast magnesium wheels. (Picture from: AlphaCoders)
However, as a concept, the Mako Shark design does look more 'dramatic' and different from all other Corvette models. The Corvette Mako Shark I prototype is built on the platform of the 1958 Corvette XP-700 'double-bubble' concept, with a slightly modified chassis equipped with cast magnesium wheels.
The Corvette XP-755 Mako Shark I featured with six taillights, a longer and sharper muzzle similar to the
appearance of a real shark, and a wide glass roof with side mirrors
designed like a periscope. (Picture from: AlphaCoders)
Furthermore, the Corvette Mako Shark I is featured with six taillights, a longer and sharper muzzle similar to the appearance of a real shark, and a wide glass roof with side mirrors designed like a periscope. The Mako Shark prototype is covered in mixed color paint, which is based on a blue top surface grading to white on the underbody, exactly resembling the natural color of the mako shark.
The Corvette XP-755 Mako Shark I after modification with the hood and front facia were modified and the interior was updated, and
the car also lost the distinctive "double-bubble" canopy. (Picture from: AlphaCoders)
As quoted of Wikipedia, like many show cars, the Mako Shark I underwent styling and detail changes over time. As You can see, the hood and front facia were modified and the interior was updated, and the car also lost the distinctive "double-bubble" canopy. The car was retroactively dubbed the Mako Shark I when the Mako Shark II debuted in 1965.
The Corvette XP-755 Mako Shark I is powered by a very powerful Chevy ZL1 V8 engine capable of spitting out around 425 horsepower. (Picture from: GMHeritageCenter)
For its drivetrain, the 1961 Corvette XP-775 Mako Shark I concept was originally built without an engine and intended for display only. However, that doesn't mean the automaker never thought of a balanced engine pair for the concept car, as a number of experimental engines had tested on the Mako Shark, including a four carburetors super-charged engine, a dual four-barrel carburetors engine, and a fuel-injected V8 engine.
The Corvette XP-830 Mako Shark II had a heavy Italian accent, no wonder if the car was one of those designs that is perfect from every angle of view. (Picture from: AlphaCoders)
Eventually in 1965, the Corvette XP-830 Mako Shark II concept was then equipped with a very powerful Chevy ZL1 V8 engine. The engine has dimensions of 427 cubic inches and a capacity of 6,997 cc consisting of an aluminum block, intake manifold, and head.
Since the Corvette XP-830 Mako Shark II was used as the basis for the 1969 Manta Ray, so currently there're no-real models (in pictured was the replica built by Hanspeter Boehi). (Picture from: MotorTrend)
The engine is capable of spitting out around 425 horsepower, and it seems the Chevy ZL1 engine is a perfect paired for the Mako Shark. Inevitably over time because of the popularity of the concept car, then many automotive enthusiasts and enthusiasts at that time asked to install the Chevy ZL1 engine under the hood of the Mako Shark I as well.
The replica of the Corvette XP-830 Mako Shark II built by Hanspeter Boehi based on the GM's official U.S. Patent illustrations of the original Mako Shark II model. (Picture from: CorvetteReport)
Although not the fastest of its time, the Mako Concept was an American sports car with a top speed of 120 miles per hour. Well, with lightning speed, as well as a glossy dark blue white paint finish, thus fostering a match between the name and performance of the car.
Since the Corvette XP-830 Mako Shark II was used as the basis for
the 1969 Manta Ray, so currently there're no-real models.😢 As quoted of CorvetteReport, now there's the most similar replicas ever, it built based on the GM's official U.S. Patent illustrations of the original Mako Shark II model by a Swiss automotive enthusiast named Hanspeter Boehi.
While the Mako Shark I concept cars now reside in safe at the GM Heritage Center located in Sterling Heights, Michigan, along with other GM automotive phenomenas. The Chevy Mako Shark concept is perhaps the most sought after Corvettes of all. With its unusual innovative style and captivating characteristics, it is certain that the Mako Shark series will remain a legend forever. 😎 *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | GMHERITAGECENTER | WIKIPEDIA | MOTORTREND | CORVETTEREPORT ]
Keep on Dreaming Perhaps for some of the world' automotive fans, to have a supercar just a dream, because most of us were not ones whose have financial ability to make those dream come true. So be it, that's okay.
The Filandi Uragano is two-seater supercar built by Filandi Moreno based upon a steel tube space-frame chassis with hand formed aluminum bodywork. (Picture from: Classic and Recreation Sportscars)
But if you have a little imagination and capability, you can have a supercar of your own! That's right, by imitating what has been done by creative people who have succeeded in making their dreams come true. One of such creative people who managed to make the supercar by themselves is Moreno Filandi.
The Filandi Uragano is powered by an Audi 4.2 liter V8 600 hp turbo engine, and said capable to make it running up to top speed of 320 kph. (Picture from: Classic and Recreation Sportscars)
He is an automotive enthusiast who has a passion for supercars for a long time and also the owner of Auto Filandi, an auto repair shop in northern Italy. Remarkably not one but two supercars ever made by him. Even he took a lion figure as his car's emblem to describe how diligent and eager he was.
The Filandi Uragano is built for almost 4 years entirely by hand including the brakes, suspension and steering system, and first introduced to public in 2008. (Picture from: AutoMania.it)
The first supercar named Filandi Uragano (car's name derived from an Italian word means Hurricane) which was finished in 2008, after built for almost 4 years entirely by hand including the brakes, suspension and steering systems. When the Uragano was first introduced to public it's unpainted, lastly its exterior was changed to yellow.
The Filandi Ever S is a one-off speedster built based on the Mercedes-Benz SL Roadster (R129), and powered by a 5.0 liter natulally-aspirated V8 300 hp engine. (Picture from: Motor1)
This 2-seater supercar has the style of a beautiful coupe, and built based upon a steel tube space-frame chassis with hand formed aluminum bodywork and cost him several hundred thousands euros. Meanwhile under the hood there is an Audi 4.2 liter V8 600 hp turbo engine, previously found in an old Audi A8 sedan.
The Filandi Ever S was first introduced to public in 2014 with paintless aluminum body shaped entirely by hand. (Picture from: Motor1)
While the Moreno Filandi's second car named Filandi Ever S appears in a unique speedster style which was completed in 2014, and shown with unpainted body. This roofless sportscar was built under a typical Filandi's design style inspired by the legendary Mercedes-Benz Silver Arrow race car and also featured with a unique gullwing style doors.
It was said that this unpainted unique two-seater open-top sports car is built based on the Mercedes-Benz SL Roadster (R129)model and is powered by a 5.0 liter natulally-aspirated V8 300 hp engine.
Rare ONES Become scarce with limited production, ie as many as 1,635 units, Renault Sport Spider is not an ordinary vehicle models produced by the famous French car manufacturer. Renault Sport Spider was introduced in 1996, following a concept version presented at the 1996 Geneva Motor Show, and that was Renault's way to promote their sporty side through this special roadster.
The Renault's iconic mid-engined with rear-wheel drive speedster is intended to be an usual sportscar as well as a racing car in special racing event organized by the French company, and was produced until 1999.
Right side view of 1997 Renault Sport Spider. (Picture from: Silverstone Auctions)
As qouted of Silverstone Auctions, this special Spider was designed to race, and 80 track-only Trophy models rolled out of the Dieppe factory during the production run destined to compete in the Spider Trophy, a model-specific racing series which was similar to the R8 Gordini Cup of the 1960s.
Steering wheel and dashboard view of 1997 Renault Sport Spider. (Picture from: Silverstone Auctions)
And one of the Renault Sport Spider had auctioned by the Silverstone Auctions back in 2021 was known left the Renault's
factory in Dieppe, France in 1997, and became one of only 60 car units
that having the windscreen equipped, right-handed steeringwheel and
produced for the UK market. This car has registration number,
K5 MMS.
1997 Renault Sport Spider is powered by a mid-mounted 2.0-litre, DOHC F7R four-cylinder engine. (Picture from: Silverstone Auctions)
This Renault Sport Spideris powered by a mid-mounted 2.0-litre, DOHC F7R four-cylinder engine (no, C000911) which was borrowed from the Clio Williams and later used in the Mégane Coupé,
which is able to spew the power up to 150 hp which can make the Sport
Spider accelerate from 0-60 mph in just 6.9 seconds, before reaching a
top speed of 134 mph or 216 km/h.
Rear three-quarter view of 1997 Renault Sport Spider. (Picture from: Silverstone Auctions)
More special, this Renault sports car just been used in distance of 7,800 miles on its odometer, unfortunately when it had auctioned by Silverstone Auctions at the Race Retro Live Online Auction 2021 held on March 27, 2021, the car was not sold. 😢
As we quoted from here, this kind of Renault Sport Spider is estimated has a price tag of €35 thousand to €50 thousand, or approximately Rp.631 millions up to Rp.902 millions. Well, it's pretty expensive, isn't it? 😎 *** [EKA [24052015] | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | SILVERSTONE AUCTIONS | REEZOCAR ]
Rare ONES We recently saw the Corvette appeared in such unique appearance of wagon version while surfing the internet. Well those unique styled Corvette was featured on the BarnFinds published in 2013. At that time this Corvette's wagon version (knew as 1976 Corvette Greenwood Sportwagon) was being on sale on a well-known e-commerce site, e-Bay, and is equipped with the L-82 engine option which was the high-performance version of Chevrolet’s 350, coupled with automatic transmission, power steering, power disc brakes and Air Conditioning to keep things cushy.
The Chevrolet Corvette
Greenwood Sportwagon proved to be an immense improvement over the
original Miller design, not only functionally, but aesthetically as
well. (Picture from: MotorTrend)
Really, this unusual-shaped Corvette made our curiousity boiled up to know more about it. Indeed, from its manufacturer, the Corvette only has one default model of muscle car (both in coupe and roadster), but it turns out that later there are also those who have made its wagon version. Well in our opinion, maybe it was an attempt to show a Corvette that was different from the others, so that later gave an idea to many parties such John Greenwood to innovate by making its wagon conversion kit.
The Chevrolet Corvette Greenwood Sportwagon has the roofline was continued at the same slope and curvature as the T-tops, ending shorter and lower than the original. (Picture from: BarnFinds)
As quoted of CarThrottle, the idea of the first Corvette's Sportwagon version was sparked by Chuck Miller back in the 1970s, when he was commissioned to create the such first Sportwagon by a rock-band drummer who owned a Corvette C3 and needed some extra cargo room for his drum sets.
1969 Chevrolet Corvette Sportwagon that uses one of the rare original kits developed by Chuck Miller. (Picture from: Silodrome)
Unfortunately, the first design was considered less successful because it still has some shortcomings. Such as it didn't have a functional back hatch, so the process of loading and unloading cargo is difficult because it still has to go through the car's side doors. Meanwhile, in terms of aesthetics, the shape of this first Sportwagon looked awkward, because it didn't blend well.
The Chevrolet Corvette Greenwood Sportwagon, which transformed the sleek and swooping lines of the sports car into a proper unique two-door wagon. (Picture from: Road&Track)
And it wasn't until 1976, when John Greenwood thought that he could made better Sportwagon model than Miller. In short, he managed to design and make a prototype proved to be an immense improvement over the original Miller design, not only functionally, but aesthetically as well.
1969 Chevrolet Corvette Sportwagon that uses one of the rare original kits developed by Chuck Miller. (Picture from: Silodrome)
As you can see, the roofline was continued at the same slope and curvature as the T-tops, ending shorter and lower than the original. The slant of the rear coincided nicely with the angle of the bumper. Overall, it just looked better and smoother. Meanwhile the biggest improvement, it has the rear-opening 'hatch' that allowed access from the back of the car.
The roofline of the Chevrolet Corvette Greenwood Sportwagon is extended rearward, while new glass windows are added along the side. (Picture from: Road&Track)
Uniquely, the first prototype of the Sportwagon made by John Greenwood was built on his girlfriend’s Corvette C3. The car was originally white, then it was painted under brown metallic shortly before to shown off for the first time at the 1976 SEMA Show. Apparently its appearance at the auto expo was a huge hit, and John Greenwood came back with many orders.
The Chevrolet Corvette Greenwood Sportwagon has the rear-opening 'hatch' that allowed access from the back of the car. (Picture from: BarnFinds)
To fulfill all the incoming orders, John Greenwood then collaborated with several companies like American Custom Industries (ACI) and Eckler’s. It is estimated, in total (during its production periods of 1976 to 1982), approximately between 20 and 25 units built by ACI, Eckler’s, and over-the-counter kit Greenwood Sportwagons were produced, including a few Turbo Sportwagons.
Then this model is became best choices in the 1970s for those who want to keep driving a Corvette while bringing groceries or golf club, because both coupe and convertible at that time did not have space that could be used behind the chair. It wouldn’t be until the last years of the C3 when the Corvette finally got a bubble rear window with plenty of room for golf clubs, though only the 1982 Corvette Collector Edition had a real hatchback version.
Nowdays the existence of Corvette Greenwood Sportwagon is increasingly rare. As quoted of the Road&Track, reportedly there are only two left today from more than 2 dozen that have been built. And as a logical consequence, of course the price will soar very high as well (could be five digits maybe more).😎 *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | GREENWOOD CORVETTE | BARNFINDS | CARTHROTTLE | CORVETTEFORUM | ROAD&TRACK | AUTOEVOLUTION | SILODROME | MOTORTREND | TOPSPEED ]
Then, how much do fans have to spend in order to bring home this Mitsuoka Rock Star? When it was launched back in 2018, this unique car was priced at around JPN ¥4,688,200 (approx Rp. 633.5 millions). Expensive? Well, it depends, but at least the Mitsuoka Rock Star can be an alternative for those of you who don't want to have a mainstream style while to drive with a Mazda MX-5 in Japan. So, what do you think? *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | ID.MOTOR1 | BUSINESSTIMES ]
