The second generation of the Chevrolet Corvette had only lingered in production from 1963 until 1967, yet many American sports car fans remember it fondly to this day. Even six decades later, replicas like this Mitsuoka Rock Star fetch solid money at auctions.
The styling package targets the Mazda MX-5 (ND) Miata roadster and modifies it almost beyond recognition. For starters, it adds 435 mm (17 inches) of body length to achieve Corvette-like proportions. The bodywork is almost all custom, and things like chromed bumpers, round lights and a gently curved, wave-like side profile immediately put one in a nostalgic mood. It may not be a spitting copy of the C2 ‘Vette, but it still looks like a love letter to that fine achievement of the U.S. automotive industry of the mid-20th century.
The powertrain stays stock. The engine pumps out its usual 131 PS (129 hp / 97 kW), but Mitsuoka offered the Rock Star in two flavors – six-speed manual and six-speed automatic.
The production of this charming little replica started in Japan in 2018 and concluded in 2022, but well-equipped, well-kept examples still fetch around $50,000 these days.
