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Mitsuoka liked the MG and when he got back to Japan, he checked out the units available. He did not really like them because the tyres were too narrow and the brakes were not good enough. He felt that he would not be able to drive the car well.

“I then looked at Morgan and saw how the frame and exterior had a retrospective design. Yet the car also had contemporary mechanisms for the engine, brakes and steering system. From seeing how Morgan designed their cars, I decided that I would make a vehicle in a similar way with the latest mechanisms, with good driveability and also having a reasonable price,” he said.

Dream come true
In 1990, he realised that dream when he unveiled the Mitsuoka Le-Seyde (a name concocted from “Life-Second-Dream”). He was 50 years old by then and found that it would be very tough to drive a convertible with a fold-down roof everyday. So he enhanced the features with an air-conditioner, power steering and automatic transmission. The platform for the classically styled body was a Nissan Silvia.

It wasn’t surprising that Mitsuoka’s creation was a hit in Japan. He got 500 orders within just four days of showing it in public and made a lot of money. The following year, he came up with another model called the Dore and he also became a dealer for VW and Audi vehicles.

Enter the Viewt
The Viewt was the next Mitsuoka model introduced in 1993 and it would become the company’s best-selling model throughout the 1990s. As with many of the other models, the Viewt used a Nissan platform, in this case the March. While the mechanicals were from a Nissan, the body – which was inspired by the European models of the 1960s – and most of the interior was hand-built by Mitsuoka’s crasftsmen.

“We began at 20 units a month and in the early stages, customers had to wait up to nine months,” he said. “Later on, we reached a maximum of 80 units a month and even then, our customers still had to wait three months at least. Today, cumulative production has reached 7,000 units and we still have a waiting period of four months.”

Mitsuoka said that the Viewt, though selling so well, is to be discontinued because the March which it takes its platform from is also being discontinued. A 10th anniversary limited edition model in 600 copies is planned.

The Zero-1 is born!
The success of the first models inspired and encouraged Mitsuoka and he learned much about body manufacturing, especially the fabrication of the fibreglass shells. The experience was invaluable when he embarked on a very ambitious project in 1994 – the Zero-1.

“It took three years to get permission to assemble this unique car, and another three years for Type Approval from the authorities,” said Mitsuoka.

The Zero-1 was a pure sportscar with the same image as the Lotus Seven with its original double wishbone chassis and lightweight design. The 2-seater used a Mazda MX5 1.8-litre engine producing 130 ps and with a kerb weight of 720 kgs – 730 kgs, its performance was certainly impressive. Its design was widely praised for its originality and 99 units were made.

Other sedan models followed which used Nissan platforms and stood out from other cars by their classic front end which brought to mind the older British cars with their large chrome radiator grilles.

The ultimate limousine
One exclusive model which could rival the Nissan President and Toyota Century was the Galue Limousine, a 6-metre long car with six doors and three rows of seats. It was basically a stretched Galue which was based on the Nissan Crew model. Inside the Galue limousine was a cabin that was, in Mitsuoka’s words, ‘dedicated to those in Japan who care for hospitality’. Typical of such limousines, the interior could be customised and one of the suggestions has a bar counter on one side! Able to accommodate seven passengers, the Galue Limousine has a 2.0-litre engine but with its kerb weight of 1,610 kgs, it is perhaps not intended for brisk movement and is intended to glide around Tokyo streets in a more regal fashion.

In 1996, Mitsuoka introduced the Zero-1 Classic Type F which was an evolution of the original. It too had the 1940s touch and was aimed at older buyers with a love for original designs.

The inclusion of automatic transmission made it a popular car for women and 80 units were produced up till 2000 (a new model is being developed). The Classic Type F was also highly praised and received a Good Design Award in 1997 from Japan’s Ministry of International Trade & Industry.

Into the 21st century
Moving into the 21st century, Mitsuoka is also mindful of the need to offer more environment-friendly cars and has developed electrically-powered micro models such as the ME-2. This is claimed to be the smallest 4-wheeler and is intended for delivery services. It is really a 4-wheeled version of a motorbike with an electric motor and a development from the MC-1EV shown in 1999.

An important event took place in late 2001 at the Tokyo Motorshow when, for the first time, Mitsuoka had an opportunity to be present as a bona fide carmaker. This came about due to a change in the rules of the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA) and provided the small company with the recognition it deserves.

In 2002, Mitsuoka plans to produce some 1,200 cars at its factory. It’s a modest volume and likely to be slightly lower than market demand. The Mitsuoka models account for about 8% of total sales revenues while the rest comes from the company’s used car business and sales of imported models from Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, VW/Audi, etc.

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