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Mitsuoka, one of the last bastions of actual raw joy left in the automotive world and the leading transformer of boring Nissan econoboxes into hilariously cartoon-like vintage Jaguars, has announced a new triumph: they’ve used their powerful Mitsuoka Magic to transform a new Miata into a dead ringer for a 1963-1967 C2 Corvette Sting Ray. They call it the Rock Star.

The Rock Star is a special commemorative model for Mitsuoka’s 50th anniversary, and as such they’re only planning to build 50—at least at first. The Rock Star is the third 50th anniversary special edition car Mitsuoka has launched this year, along with a version of their also ND Miata-based Himiko Jag-like roadster, and the “Devilman” edition of their strange, mollusk-like Orochi supercar. The Rock Star will be the first entirely new design of the anniversary editions.

This is also the first absolutely American-inspired Mitsuoka, which usually seems to find inspiration from primarily British and other European cars. (Besides the Orochi. Who’s to say what’s going on there.)

The Rock Star will be available in six very American-named colors: Los Angeles Blue, Chicago Red, New York Black, Cisco Orange, Washington White, and Arizona Yellow. It’s interesting how appropriate those colors seem for the cities they’re named for.

Good work, Mitsuoka.

The basic specs all seem to be right from the current Mazda MX-5, and it looks like only the doors and windshield remain from the original car’s body.

Mitsuoka has done a remarkably good job getting the look of the classic C2 Sting Ray on the Miata’s platform. The proportions are quite close, and while it’s not an exact copy, most of the fundamental design detailing has been translated over, with some clever adaptations, like replacing the pop-up headlamps with small, round projector units set just below the trademark frontal crease.

The twin L-shaped bumper blades are there, as are smaller versions of the side heat-extraction “gills” and even the silver lower side sills.

It’s perfect Mitsuoka—modern guts, classic look, very silly, but a hell of a lot of fun.

The Rock Star starts at 4,688,200円 (yen), which comes to around $41,000 U.S. That’s about twice as much as a new Miata in Japan, but, seeing as how you’re getting an entirely new, limited run body, it doesn’t seem like too bad a deal.

I mean, $41,000 to make your Boomer dad lose his shit? That’s worth it, right?

Never change, Mitsuoka.

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Next step is abundantly clear:

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The Mazda MX-5 is one of the most popular two-seat roadsters on the market, but its design doesn’t appeal to everyone. While fans cans always opt for the Fiat 124 Spider, Mitsuoka has an interesting alternative in the form of the Rock Star.

Drawing inspiration from the second-generation Chevrolet Corvette, the Rock Star bears little resemblance to its donor vehicle. This is due a virtually all-new body which mimics the lines of the classic Corvette.

Starting up front, the car has been equipped with a new front fascia which features chrome bumpers and circular headlights. Moving further back, we can see a ventilated hood, new quarter panels and a retro-inspired rear end with circular taillights. About the only components that carryover from the Mazda are the doors and mirror caps.

The same can’t be said about the interior as it’s a dead-ringer for the MX-5. However, Mitsuoka offers a handful of customization options including painted upper door trim, special leather seats and an extended leather package.

While the Rock Star has Corvette-inspired styling, drivers shouldn’t expect Corvette-like performance as the model has a 1.5-liter SKYACTIV-G engine that produces 130 hp (97 kW / 132 PS) and 112 lb-ft (152 Nm) of torque. It can be connected to a six-speed manual or an optional six-speed automatic.

To put those numbers into perspective, the second-generation Corvette was launched with a 5.3-liter V8 engine that produced between 250 hp (186 kW / 253 PS) and 360 hp (268 kW / 365 PS). Later versions of the C2 were offered with more powerful engines including a 7.0-liter V8 developing a reported 435 hp (324 kW / 441 PS).

Japanese pricing starts at ¥4,688,200 ($41,698 / £31,623 / €36,202) and tops out at ¥5,183,600 ($46,104 / £34,964 / €40,028) before options.

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