Some cars attract attention because of their stunning beauty and desirability. Others achieve that feat because they’re, well, different. The 1993 Mitsuoka Viewt falls into the second category and is not a car most people will take seriously. It is the work of a Japanese coachbuilder with a reputation for left-field thinking. While it is sure to attract attention, its mechanical underpinnings guarantee it will provide excellent fuel economy and easy maintenance. If you seek an unusual commuter option, the Viewt is listed here on Craigslist in Cleveland, Tennessee. You could drive off into the sunset by handing the seller $4,495. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder T.J. for spotting one of the most unusual cars we’ve ever featured.
I can’t help but think we require a bit of background information before plunging headlong into the specifics of this little car. Mitsuoka is a Japanese company that describes itself as a vehicle manufacturer. That may be stretching the bounds of credibility slightly because its bread and butter business is as a coachbuilder. It has produced some unique vehicles, including a miniaturized version of the Messerschmitt TG500 powered by a 50cc two-stroke engine. Some questions are almost too hard to ask, like, why does anyone need a miniature version of a microcar? For the Viewt, the company took a shiny new Nisan Micra, consigned most of its panels to the trash, and added its own to create a smaller version of the 1963 Jaguar Mk II. Its relative success (or otherwise) depends on your point of view, but they found 12,000 happy customers since 1993. This Viewt’s panels are in good order, which is important considering you are unlikely to find one in your local pick-a-part as a source of replacements. The Gray paint has faded in various locations, but returning it to its best in a home workshop should not be challenging. There are no rust issues, and the unique trim and glass look excellent.
Digging below the unique body reveals this Viewt started life as a Nissan Micra. That means buyers received the 1.3-liter four-cylinder motor, producing 74hp. Transmission choices were the standard five-speed manual or Nissan’s CVT unit. The original owner opted for the CVT, giving this classic the ability to “storm” the ¼ mile in 18.5 seconds. That may not be fast, but the Viewt’s ace is its fuel consumption. Owners regularly exceeded 40mpg, making the Mitsuoka an excellent commuter candidate. It is also worth remembering that parts are readily available from the local Nissan dealers and many larger auto chains. The news for potential buyers is positive, with this little car a turnkey proposition. It runs and drives well and is ready to tackle the cut-and-thrust of commuter traffic.
Opening the Viewt’s doors reveals an interior that is almost exclusively Nissan trim and plastic. The seats and door trims score leather, and the company prised the Nissan badge from the wheel and added a Mitsuoka, but the rest is pure Nissan. That is not a negative attribute because it is another aspect of this car with a ready supply of parts. The interior condition is pretty good, with no significant trim or upholstery issues. Although the company based the Viewt on a premium model, luxury appointments stretch no further than a CD player and air conditioning.
Some people argue that the best way to “view” a Viewt is through welding goggles or with your eyes firmly shut. That’s being unkind because these cars are no uglier than that ungainly puppy you longed for as a child. Before we discard it out of hand, it is worth considering some of its benefits. The Nissan Micra drivetrain means parts are easy and cheap to locate, while it should offer excellent fuel economy as a commuter or daily driver. You are unlikely to lose it if you park it in a shopping mall car park. Finally, it is guaranteed to start conversations wherever it goes and would cause a sensation at a Cars & Coffee. For those reasons, I won’t be surprised if a new owner emerges pretty quickly. Are you tempted?
If I knew my fat a$$ fit in it, and if I knew how well that little 1.3 liter engine handled highway speeds, I would buy it. I think it is really cool!
But…I bet I won’t fit in it & I am pretty sure it won’t handle Interstate travel well, so I guess I can live without it.
I sure do like it though!
Squint with one eye closed and your head turned it sort of looks like a Jaguar. Conversation starter for sure, or rural mail delivery.
All the styling of an unholy love child of a London taxi and MK II Jag, all the power of a Nissan Micra.
My 2013 Ford Focus 4 door 4 cyl non turbo regularly gets 45 mpg @ a steady 70 mph.
Yours is likely an anomaly.
Could very well be and lucky for me considering I’m in the San Franciso bay area, land of the $6+ per gallon.
Or in a tail wind
No tail wind involved btw
My 2018 Elantra is rated at 37 mpg on the freeway but I average 42 mpg with the A/C on. That’s not why I would want this car.
Can confirm. My 2014 Focus achieves the same numbers, you’re no anomaly.
I have worked in big and small corporations. I cannot fathom HOW something like this gets built. Somebody has to go “Hey boss, I have a GREAT idea!” and get it past all the hurtles to end up in production. Everyone up the chain has to go “Wow! what a great idea (can’t lose/money maker!) where do I sign?!?!?”
I recall the total insanity we went though to change the spec on a BOLT that if we didn’t change was going to COST us a ton of money. People up the chain were “Well, I dunno……” to the point that you wanted to roll up the drawing and start beating them with it. Having gone though that, I can’t imagine how this exists. Yes, the Sunbeam Tiger happened when Lord Rootes said “Build it!’ Small companies can do that. That was a upgrade to an existing and good selling car. THIS is taking a good selling car and trying to make it look like something that may or may not sell. I recall a review of a car in one of the British publications where a “plus:” was “Makes you stand out” but added “So does wearing a Fez”….I think that sums this up nicely…
Mitsuoka’s website is an eye-opener. The Corvette evocation based on a Mazda MX5 is strangely attractive, but the rest of the lineup is plain weird. Why bother?
Jaguar front, Wolesly (SP?) back, continuing nightmares that someone crumpled the front or back end sheet metal. Just to be “different” does not suffice.
You need parts for a what?
Kinda reminds me more of an MG Magnette with glue on Jaguar headlamps.
Look at it this way. Here’s another one that will stand out at your next cars & coffee meet. Your certainly not going to see anyone else with one!
Buy it and be the only one at the Sunday coffee and donut meet with one. You will be guaranteed to be the most popular owner there…I don’t know if that’s a good or bad thing.
(IMHO, I think it would look much better with bigger wheels and tires.)
reminds me of most the odd customizations posted (5, 10 X/yr) here.
“The different parts R nice but together, here, now – looks weird.”
Pull the alloys and substitute steelies covered by plastic wheelcovers, and you’d fool plenty of Yanks you’ve got a London TX4 taxi cab!
I owned a Nissan Stanza, it was a very decent car until high mileage finally took it’s toll and I had to replace it. Bought it used and drove it for years with nothing more than regular oil changes. Nissans are very dependable autos.
Looks like something officials would have chauffeured the Pope around Vatican City in back in the day. Jag looking front end with a high roofline providing a good deal of visibilty. Mini limo like.
I dig it, in a twisted kind of way…and the price isn’t bad either… I really think that the whole flow of the car, would benefit from a set of larger wire wheels. The newer looking wheels just cause a person to do a double take and look even closer at the odd assemblage of parts.
Something wrong here? – It’s still for sale.