Mazda Miata Transformed Into Classic Corvette
08-27-2015, 10:06 PM
#21
Team Owner
Member Since: Oct 1999
Location: Land of Thunder
Posts: 33,586
Received 217 Likes
on
160 Posts
2018 C2 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14-'15, '19
I'd like it a lot more if it was LS powered.
Anyway, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, right?
08-27-2015, 10:42 PM
#22
Supporting Lifetime
Member Since: Sep 2005
Location: Syracuse NY
Posts: 4,015
Received 1,267 Likes
on
508 Posts
2023 C1 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 Corvette of the Year Finalist -- Unmodified
2021 C1 of the Year Winner - Unmodified
2020 C1 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2016 C1 of the Year Finalist
08-27-2015, 10:45 PM
#23
Race Director
08-28-2015, 12:03 AM
#24
I appreciate the tribute, but like the stock Miata styling better. A nice update of the unreliable Lotus Elans that could show their contemporary C1s and C2s the quick way home on a tight course IF they managed to keep running. 
While they don't have the straight-line power of any Corvette, in my experience Miatas handle AT LEAST as well in corners. Lighter weight is the secret for enjoying yourself on curving public roads at legal speeds.
While they don't have the straight-line power of any Corvette, in my experience Miatas handle AT LEAST as well in corners. Lighter weight is the secret for enjoying yourself on curving public roads at legal speeds.
Last edited by sub006; 08-28-2015 at 12:08 AM.
08-28-2015, 12:26 AM
#25
Le Mans Master
08-28-2015, 03:27 AM
#26
Cute!
08-28-2015, 03:29 AM
#27
Instructor
Just a pair of white decals and a replaced grille, but the Miata is still very much visible "underneath". More a tribute than a transformation.
I kinda like it. Original, and a wink to an american car icon.
I kinda like it. Original, and a wink to an american car icon.
08-28-2015, 05:59 AM
#28
Melting Slicks
given that we are very biassed due to our own addiction to Corvette, our opinions are not very representative for what the big world out there thinks. I bet most would like this rather cute transformation. The original miata was a big cue to vintage car styling anyway, with much beter reliability and drivability than the originals, plus apparently a lot of fun to drive 
08-28-2015, 07:30 AM
#29
Race Director
Member Since: Feb 2007
Location: northern california
Posts: 13,609
Received 6,521 Likes
on
3,001 Posts
C2 of Year Finalist (track prepared) 2019
An understatement. Well driven Miatas are very fast track cars.
08-28-2015, 11:36 AM
#32
Race Director
I like it. It would be the coolest to pop the hood and see an original 1957 fuelie small-block in place; second choice would be an LS engine; but, the OP's on a budget, so that ain't gonna work. Enjoy it for what it is, a tribute to the C1 Vette's looks.
BTW my daily driver is an '06 Miata while my 2006 C6 coupe largely sits unused in the garage beside the '67 ragtop that I drive a lot more than the C6. Miata's are surely the best-balanced cars on the road; you can use all of its 167 hp in regular driving and not attract undue attention and the steering feel is the best on the road. My '06 Miata's performance numbers are identical to those of a stock 300hp '67 4-speed Vette. Anyhow, I admire the Miata owner's playful intentions with his red and while bolide.
BTW my daily driver is an '06 Miata while my 2006 C6 coupe largely sits unused in the garage beside the '67 ragtop that I drive a lot more than the C6. Miata's are surely the best-balanced cars on the road; you can use all of its 167 hp in regular driving and not attract undue attention and the steering feel is the best on the road. My '06 Miata's performance numbers are identical to those of a stock 300hp '67 4-speed Vette. Anyhow, I admire the Miata owner's playful intentions with his red and while bolide.
08-28-2015, 11:39 AM
#33
Team Owner
Member Since: Apr 2008
Location: Coloring within the lines
Posts: 27,328
Received 1,919 Likes
on
1,332 Posts
I see that the owner did not try to replicate a Volvo.
However, the attempted Corvette flattery failed, IMO, and the car looks fugly. A standard Miata would look better; they're not my taste, but not bad cars.
In summary, a wasteful (time and money) excercise in or Vette flattery that looks worse than the car from which it was derived (which is good enough), but it's not my money, so who cares?
However, the attempted Corvette flattery failed, IMO, and the car looks fugly. A standard Miata would look better; they're not my taste, but not bad cars.
In summary, a wasteful (time and money) excercise in or Vette flattery that looks worse than the car from which it was derived (which is good enough), but it's not my money, so who cares?
08-29-2015, 11:30 AM
#34
Melting Slicks
Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery...and this isn't a bad job
Also Recalling in the late 70s/early 80s there were a number of 'kit cars' ..smaller scale exotics fit to a VW frame
Sad part is there's probably a large number of people that would be fooled.
Also Recalling in the late 70s/early 80s there were a number of 'kit cars' ..smaller scale exotics fit to a VW frame
Sad part is there's probably a large number of people that would be fooled.
