This & That, Ceci et Cela

Yo, pimp this: While I’m waitin’ on my Benz SLR, here’s what I want for NewYear/birthday/justBcause: A Mitsuoka Le Seyde!

Matter of fact, make it two and add the convertible version also, y’know for summer time cruising…

They’ve got other shades, but I think the “Elizabeth White” is the best colour. €5,350,000/US$46,815/CAD$54,560 Don’t ask how I stumbled upon this brand; can’t remember what my original (& completely unrelated) search was for! But apparently, the Japs have long had a fascination for Brit lux cars and worshipful remixes like the above was one of the ways in which this adoration manifested. I mean, call it a vulgar, bastardized mishmash/appropriation of different brands, but you daren’t deny that it is simply PIMPING! With just the right dose of nostalgia. Hell, with the way the major car brands have embraced ubiquity as their hot trend these days, this is refreshing. They don’t seem to be available in North America which makes it all the more attractive from a pimp-standout point of view. Pity their “Classic Type F” is discontinued.

The View T model looks retro-cool, but based on pics on other sites, it tends to look like a Brit taxicab from some angles though.

Apparently, Mitsuoka vehicles are usually based on standard cars like Nissans & Mazdas. So only the exteriors are changed and optional interior fittings and upholstery added. Which sounds good to me because one thought niggling at the back of my mind had been the possibility of needing hard to get/extinct spare parts down the road. So Japanese quality & reliability crossed with unique styling can’t go wrong. Bugger about the right-hand drive steering (they drive on the right in Japan). But given the export market possibilities, perhaps they’re planning left-wheel versions?

I’d like to know what the user experience is. But even if it turns out to be only good for rides down the street to the corner store, I’m still willing to take a pimping chance. Any users/owners out there? Holla back!  See entire lineup at the Mitsuoka site.