Mitsuoka’s creations appeal to a tiny niche of customers wanting retro looks on modern mechanicals. Scary Orochi and outrageous Le-Seyde aside, a typical Mitsuoka would be a humdrum Nissan saloon with front and rear ends inspired by old Jaguars. Neither the look they’re going for or the base cars are particularly appetising. If that’s the everyday salaryman Mitsuoka, this is the rockstar.

This is the Mitsuoka Rock Star, built to commemorate the company’s 50th anniversary. Only 50 units will be made, but it doesn’t need a limited run to be special – just look at the damn thing! The Rock Star gives you the unmistakable looks of the C2 Corvette Sting Ray with reliable and economical Mazda MX-5 underpinnings.

If the idea is great, the execution matches it. It’s a convincing homage to the Corvette of the 60s, featuring those famous curves over the wheels, that spine on the hood and a face that actually looks like the sea creature it’s named after, without going as far as hiding the eyes. The sharp bumpers that don’t meet in the middle? Present. White tyre lettering and chrome at the right places add to the retro charm.

None of the detailing would’ve mattered if the proportions weren’t right, but it’s spot on. This is one of those things that could’ve ended up really tacky (like many of Mitsuoka’s cars) but they stayed on the right side of the fine line with the Rock Star.

Alas, a double-cowl interior was a step too far for Mitsuoka, and the cabin is pure ND MX-5, with a Mitsuoka logo on the steering wheel. We’ll forgive them for this, because this writer isn’t really a big fans of old car interiors – case in point: look at the Ferrari F355, then go sit inside.

They do however offer colour coded seats and door trim to match the vibrant exterior colour palette, which sound equally as colourful. How about Los Angeles Blue, Chicago Red, New York Black, Cisco Orange, Washington White and Arizona Yellow?

Also unchanged is the Miata’s drivetrain, which is 1.5 litre Skyactiv-G engine with 132 PS/152 Nm, paired with either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic. It’s slow, and all the better for it when the world is looking at you strut down the highstreet like a rockstar. Prices start from ¥4,688,200 (RM173,460). Read our review of the ND MX-5 here.