The animated Speed Racer manga series debuted in the sixties, but it wasn’t until the seventies that I first remember it airing in my local TV market. I was young and impressionable, and as this was my introduction to Japanese anime, I remember being quite fascinated with the antics of Speed Racer. More than the character himself, what I remember most was his race car, the powerful Mach 5, as the television theme song calls it. Kudos to whoever took a 1996 Chevrolet Corvette and turned it into a tribute, which you can own right now for $54,400, if you’re already envisioning yourself behind the wheel. This one is located in Corona, California, and can be spotted here on eBay, with our thanks to reader Curvette for finding it and sending us the tip!
No clues are provided on how this went from a C4 body to one resembling the fictional Mach 5, but a little internet probing reveals that there was once a company named Speed Racer Enterprise that proposed building 500 of these replicas. The best number I could find was that only an estimated handful were ever made, but it’s not confirmed that this is one of those, or if its origin is entirely different. Some information we do have is that the seller reports this modification was performed professionally, with the photos appearing to show a good fit and finish on the custom exterior panels.
Inside, the factory airbag-equipped steering wheel has been replaced with an aftermarket unit that has more of a vintage racer look, but unfortunately, the center studs aren’t buttons, with no letters present to activate all the features of the “real” Mach 5. The instruments in front of the driver look stock, but some of the upholstery appears to have a few custom enhancements. I’m not seeing a boot area or evidence of a top covering of any sort, so this one’s probably permanently in the open-air driving position.
Mechanically, this one’s stated to be entirely an all-stock Corvette, and it’s said to drive like one. With this being more of a novelty or showpiece, it’s not surprising that the mileage is low, with 46,500 showing on the ticker. The seller mentions that this car might have a special appeal for parades, display events, and comic conventions, or for a collector who’s just seeking something unusual to turn heads. Is this 1996 Corvette Mach 5 replica one you’d be interested in acquiring?
Yes very cool, but not my cup of tea.
As I child, Speed Racer was my favorite cartoon and I wanted to grow up and BE Speed Racer. I would be delighted to have that if my disposal income would allow. Unique to take to shows and other events just for plain-ole head-turnin’ fun.
I was also a fan of Speed Racer as a kid Anthony. Funny my best friend as a kid would never miss a episode no matter what we were doing at the time. Like you said if i had the disposable income i would be all over this. The kids would all love this at car shows along the adults who remember the show as kids.
Nice find… I’m holding out for a Racer X tribute car.
I’m holding out for a G R X!
I agree! As a big fan of the show when I was a kid in the 60s, I think this is a really good attempt at a real life look of a Speed Racer replica. I still remember real life builds of Hot Wheel cars when I was young and thought they were so cool.
“If” I had the “disposable income” to have a “toy box” I’d have to have the Racer X car, and a Speedy” car. But I’d have to hydraulic lift kinda like the Formula 1 cars to make it even more cool!
This one looks purdy good,some are hideous…
I like to think I am relatively open minded to all the modifications we see here done on Vettes. And, having never seen Speed Racer”, still trying to remain open minded about this one. Nope. Not gonna happen.
My favorite show growing up also cool car…
If I was 8 and not 68 with 55K…maybe.
Somehow a car that was “hot” as a kid doesn’t remotely translate to “cool” in real life as an adult, any better than Daisy Duke did as she aged.
We didn’t have color TV in fact we didn’t have the ability to even get cartoon on our TV. But the neighbor hood kid with “cable” did and I recall sneaking in a show or two. Forbidden fruit!!
I think it is ugly and all out of proportion and can’t imagine someone paying that much for it.
Now Peter Fonda’s Powerwagon, that is cool…
🤣🤣🤣. It absolutely does
I would sing that opening theme song to Suzanne in 5th grade, which drove her crazy because her brother watched the show constantly. But it did get Suzanne’s attention … wherever she is today …
The show came out after I was cartoon age. I have glanced at an episode or two seeing if I really missed something. I decided that I hadn’t. A cool rendition, and looks well done. But I’m only interested in a car (fancy or not) that CAN be used as a daily driver. This one does not fit the criteria.
To the moon Alice. Hideous
As a kid I loved the cartoons and as an adult liked the live action movie. This car is really well done. Last month there was a Mach 5 replica that was, saying this gently, was just bad. This one looks really good. Well proportioned. But could I see myself driving around in it? Hmmm not sure. But certainly cool to have in a car collection, but I don’t have the $$ for that.
For that price you think the engine compartment would be a little tidier.
I’m even steam cleaned a little bit.
Looks like there’s overspray on it and sanded primer.
Lots of great childhood memories recalled here! “Speed Racer” either followed or preceded another cartoon series – let’s see who remembers – “Eighth Man”!? Anyhow, I do recall the episode in which Speed Racer was driving the world’s fastest car, only to become hypnotized by the highway lines blazing past at incredible speed. To save the day, Gramps jumped into his trusty four-door jalopy to catch Speed and avert disaster. At that moment I recognized a new emotion in my six-year-old self…cynicism! Ha!! Never trusted cartoons again!
There’s a prehistoric monster,
who came from outer space;
created by the Martians to
destroy the Human race.
The FBI is helpless;
he’s 20 stories tall.
What can we do,
who can we call?
Call Tobor, the Eighth Man!
Call Tobor, the Eighth Man!
Faster than a rocket,
Quicker than a jet!
He’s the mighty robot,
he’s the one to get!
Call Tobor, the Eighth Man!
Call Tobor, the Eighth Man!
Quick call Tobor, the mightiest robot of them all!
**Tobor had a belt buckle that had CIGARETTES in it that he smoked for energy!
My grandmother used to say “if you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all”
And simultaneously there is a batmobile tribute. What a garage I’m going to have when I win that billion dollar lotto!!!
There’s one here in Charlotte at Streetside Classics for something close to $80k…
To make it complete there should be a replica of Chin Chin his pet Monkey…LOL
I never saw the show,just some clips recently,which does nothing
whatsoever for me.Looks like it was a voiced-over anime cartoon.
Whoever built this probably could have saved a ton of money,
if they’d just left this Corvette alone.
Yes, Speed Racer originated from Japan. The original Speed Racer (known as Mach GoGoGo in Japan) was made in Japan by Tatsunoko Productions, created by Tatsuo Yoshida and first aired in Japan in 1967 before becoming a hit in the U.S.
Might be a good advertising thing for someone who runs a Comic book store . And that’s all I am going to say about this.
Looks really out of proportion to me, at least from my childhood memory
Forget Chim Chim, Where is Trixie ?
I made a post on this car before, but it never appeared. I do agree with the statement that it is out of proportion to the cartoon car, and the engine compartment is decidedly sloppy compared to the rest of the modification, as though it was done in a hurry.
My other post also mentioned Pops Racer’s GRX, which I would not buy unless it included a canister of the thirst-inducing gas that allows the driver to handle the power and speed.
Also, why did nobody ever figure out that Racer X = Rex Racer? ;-D
Feel bad for any of you who didn’t grow up with speed racer. Thats pretty much why you don’t get it. This car is cool for someone with that kind of disposable income and the space for a car that would get ALL the looks at any car show. My opinion. If you have that before mentioned. Lose the engine for a more modern set up. Doesn’t matter Mopar Ford Chevy. Speed and Pops never said what the power plant was.
Feel bad for any of you who didn’t grow up with speed racer. Thats pretty much why you don’t get it. This car is cool for someone with that kind of disposable income and the space for a car that would get ALL the looks at any car show. Probably more that any batmobile knockoff. My opinion. If you have that before mentioned – lose the engine for a more modern set up. Doesn’t matter Mopar Ford Chevy. Speed and Pops never said what the power plant was.
I think the one that Curvette dug up and was featured here a few weeks back was a better job. It was based on a ’79 Corvette, but the interior had custom touches unlike this one, including a speed racer steering wheel with buttons.
If no one was willing to give 40K for that one, no way is this one getting close to 54K.
You can only drive this thing if your eyes are half the size of your head. I was a kid during the heyday of these Japanese cartoons. But being a kid brought up around actual cars and actual racing? I thought this was the hokiest show on TV.
I was a bigger fan of Tom Slick – and the crowd went wild…