Mitsuoka Motor once again demonstrates a mastery that borders on pure art. The Japanese company, famous for turning the everyday into extravagance, has revived its boldest, most hooligan and most sought-after project: the M55. It is an automotive fantasy in which the modern Honda Civic dresses up in the costume of a rebellious American muscle car from the golden era of the 1970s. And, hey, the fans went crazy!
After the previous limited edition of 100 units, called the Zero Edition, evaporated from the market faster than even the biggest optimist at Mitsuoka could have imagined, the company decided to satisfy the hunger of collectors. And so, officially, on November 28, the machines got to work again to create the M55 1st Edition - brighter, more diverse and far closer to the authentic spirit of the 70s, for which this entire lunatic project exists.
To create this four-wheeled wonder, Mitsuoka engineers literally stripped the Honda Civic bare and started over. The hood, massive fenders and bumpers are all composite, with their own design that screams "America, baby!". In place of the modern, often aggressive optics, four round headlights have been implanted, which bring back the thought of the classic Dodge Challenger or Plymouth Barracuda. Without pretensions to boomerang shapes or other technological wonders – here the design speaks to the heart, not to technical specifications.
If you look at it in profile, you still recognize the elegant posture of the Civic, but the overall silhouette has been transformed. The rear is the culmination: its own lights, a new bumper and, ah, those obligatory horizontal blinds on the glass, which instantly transport the observer decades back. The result is purebred muscle, brought to 2025 with Japanese meticulousness and scrupulousness.
Unlike the spartan Zero Edition, the new 1st Edition is available in a full ten colors. In addition, customers can now choose between a traditional gearbox, a CVT or even an e:HEV hybrid option. The interior also gets a solid dose of retro charm, thanks to the optional seat upholstery with a print that is a direct copy of the 70s. This is no longer just a joke for fans, but a seriously positioned custom car, built with the same passion that Mitsuoka puts into its iconic Orochi and Viewt.
The company's CEO, Taishin Mitsuoka, proudly stated that the brand is experiencing a real boom. With a turnover of a record 35 billion yen and 877 cars produced in 2024, these are crazy numbers for a small manufacturer that creates cars with character, not for the sake of dry statistics. The M55's designer, Kiyokazu Watanabe, admits that nostalgia for the days when cars simply "shone" and didn't try to be technological manifestos is at the heart of the project. The goal is simple: the M55 shouldn't be explained, it should evoke emotion.
The price of the Mitsuoka M55 1st Edition in Japan starts at 8,427,100 yen (€ 46,568) – Not a small sum for a Honda Civic in retro foil, but think about it: you're getting the most stylish muscle car from an alternate reality. One thing is for sure: this car won't just drive down the road, it'll turn heads and spark the imagination.