Tuesday, September 06, 2005
Biru cans
Tired of Japanese automakers taking all the prizes for originality and quality? Nostalgic for the old days when Jap cars were cheap knockoffs of British and American models? Well, nostalge no more! The old days are back with Mitsuoka Motors.
A knockoff for every palate and pocketbook, all described in fruent Engrish!
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Want a knockoff Jaguar Saroon with no talent?
Or a knockoff MG Magnette?
Or an illogical Stutzu Bearucato?
Or a 1962 Worserey Mini? (Why would anyone? Never mind.)
No, it's not a parody, but it's not quite what it seems either. Mitsuoka have been building replicars for 20 years, and now they are trying to push into the mainstream. They even have an American dealer, which doesn't look terribly active.
I suspect the American dealer will have the most success with Mitsuoka's microcar series, especially the one that stokes you like the Santa Claus.
Seriously, though, I'm tempted by the MC-1 electlic moder, priced at $3600. Pure kawaii, and would get me around town more flexibly than the bus. It comes with side curtains for winter weather.
Even more seriously, this is actually the best evidence of Japan's superiority. Can you imagine a small American company starting fresh in the '80s, and producing a wide range of interesting cars? Not on your broody rife. Our automakers are going bankrupt. We have more lawyers than engineers. Japan has more engineers than lawyers. ¶ 2:42 PM
A knockoff for every palate and pocketbook, all described in fruent Engrish!
---
Want a knockoff Jaguar Saroon with no talent?
Or a knockoff MG Magnette?
Or an illogical Stutzu Bearucato?
Or a 1962 Worserey Mini? (Why would anyone? Never mind.)
No, it's not a parody, but it's not quite what it seems either. Mitsuoka have been building replicars for 20 years, and now they are trying to push into the mainstream. They even have an American dealer, which doesn't look terribly active.
I suspect the American dealer will have the most success with Mitsuoka's microcar series, especially the one that stokes you like the Santa Claus.
Seriously, though, I'm tempted by the MC-1 electlic moder, priced at $3600. Pure kawaii, and would get me around town more flexibly than the bus. It comes with side curtains for winter weather.
Even more seriously, this is actually the best evidence of Japan's superiority. Can you imagine a small American company starting fresh in the '80s, and producing a wide range of interesting cars? Not on your broody rife. Our automakers are going bankrupt. We have more lawyers than engineers. Japan has more engineers than lawyers. ¶ 2:42 PM
