Mitsuoka Unveils M55 Concept: A Blast from the Past
By The Drive Team
If you like the design of 70s cars and slats on the rear windows, everything old is strange again with the Mitsuoka M55 Concept.
Mitsuoka, the Japanese company that created the extraterrestrial look Orochi supercar, reinvented the Toyota RAV4 as a 1980s American SUV, and spent nearly three decades transforming humble Nissan sedans into deformed Bentley limousines, it’s at it again.
This is the Mitsuoka M55 concept, a 2023 sling Civic hatch like you’ve never seen before. Said to be an interpretation of Americanized Japanese cars of the 1970s, the M55 channeled front fascia of the Datsun 240K, the Celica liftback’s rear grille, and the ornate taillights and integrated gauges of the period.
When grafted onto the current-generation Honda Civic hatch, the M55’s front and rear overhangs are significantly pronounced. The main panels have been retained, with new clips and even a blanking plate to cover the Civic’s taillight location applied to the Honda’s body.
Inside, most of the Civic’s retro-inspired dashboard remains, but a clunky Mitsuoka logo replaces the ‘H’ on the steering wheel, and the seats have been redone in line with some Ferrari Daytona-style ribs and original metal eyelets.
Despite the way Mitsuoka creates wild retroconversions for the Japanese market, the M55 is still a concept at this point.
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This news article presents Mitsuoka’s latest creation, the M55 Concept, a unique interpretation of Americanized Japanese cars from the 1970s.
The Mitsuoka M55 Concept takes styling cues from 70s cars and incorporates them into the design of a 2023 Honda Civic hatch. The retro-inspired concept features a front fascia inspired by the Datsun 240K, the rear grille of the Celica liftback, and ornate taillights and integrated gauges reminiscent of the era.
The result is a distinctive and eye-catching concept car that captivates the imagination. The M55’s front and rear overhangs are notably pronounced, and new clips and a blanking plate have been applied to cover the Civic’s taillight location.
The interior of the M55 retains the retro-inspired dashboard of the Civic, but with Mitsuoka branding, and seats redone in a style reminiscent of the Ferrari Daytona, featuring ribs and original metal eyelets.
While Mitsuoka has a reputation for creating wild retroconversions for the Japanese market, the M55 Concept is still in the concept stage, leaving the possibility open for further developments in the future.
The Mitsuoka M55 Concept is another example of the company’s creativity and innovation in reimagining classic designs for a modern audience. With its unique blend of retro styling and modern technology, the M55 Concept is sure to turn heads and capture the imagination of car enthusiasts around the world.
For more information about the Mitsuoka M55 Concept and other upcoming developments from the Drive Team, visit our website for expert reviews and the best new car rewards program in Australia.
