Dutton, a UK-based company founded by Tim Dutton back in the 1980s, had briefly produced body kits for sports cars before switching its attention to building amphibious vehicles. Now, decades later, Dutton is back in the coachbuilding business with a rather extravagant take on the NC-generation Mazda MX-5.
Dressed like pictured here, the miniature roadster is known as the Dutton Phaeton 5. It wears all-new bodywork with pronounced wheel arches and retro-style round headlamps mounted on the front fenders. The front end resembles a tapir’s nose, and the exhaust system exits to one side.
The result reminds us of the UK-made Caterham 7 a bit, although we are sure any parallels are purely coincidental. Black alloy wheels and red brake calipers may be about the only things preventing the Phaeton 5 from looking like a knock-off Lego toy, but it’s nothing if not attention-grabbing.
Being based on the MX-5 NC, the car retains its stock interior, suspension and 2.0-liter, naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine.
A makeover like this will set you back around £10,000 in the UK (or $13,500 in U.S. money). Things like a soft top, side screens and additional finish options are available for a £1,200 ($1,600) premium.
