Toyota V6 Powers This Uniquely Built Honda NSX Sports Car

Gearheads searching for a used sports car that stands out from the rest have a ton of interesting choices, from the insane, such as the variety of models produced by British marque TVR, to the rumbling coupes made by American manufacturer Panoz. There are also plenty of obscure Japanese models, such as cute kei cars like the Suzuki Cappuccino and Honda S660. Another fascinating option is a strikingly designed machine from Mitsuoka Motors, a small Japanese auto manufacturer that focuses on building cars that stand in a class of one. Aside from their styling, the automaker's vehicles are notable for fusing together two Japanese institutions in one package. And they're based on existing cars, like the Ryugi, which is a humdrum Toyota Corolla Axio underneath. But the one we're looking at today is rather more special, and has the bones of a respected Japanese supercar under its extroverted skin. The Original Orochi Is Based On The Honda NSX Mitsuoka wasn't exactly a new kid on the block by the time its sports car, the Orochi, was first presented to the world in 2001. It had produced a range of bizarre-looking models that all featured a similar theme, wacky designs that were meant to catch the eye, combined with the comparatively dull underpinnings of well-established vehicles. The Orochi was different though, as the concept version that was shown off at the 2001 Tokyo Motor Show used a Honda NSX base. The NSX was one of the most capable supercars of the period, especially in its home market of Japan. It featured an advanced chassis, aluminum construction, and other handling-focused components that ensured it was one of the best-handling and usable performance cars of its generation, making it an ideal starting point for a less-established brand to offer a capable sports car. The Orochi Made Headlines With Its Looks It wasn't the NSX foundations that captured the public's imagination though, rather the new Orochi's design. Its small fish-like grille and circular headlights sat as a contrast to the aggressive silhouette, which came with an extended tail to allow it to stand out alongside traditional sports cars, which usually had shorter, more truncated rear ends, such as the Lamborghini Gallardo. The Orochi was crammed full of little details, such as the hood that features a series of cutouts and a triangular indentation, which looks like someone took the Pontiac logo and stretched it out. Having impressed onlookers, Mitsuoka eventually set about selling it, with the final version hitting the road in 2006, though it would go its own way as far as the chassis was concerned. The manufacturer produced the car for nearly a decade, with the last examples being made in 2014. The Orochi Didn't Use A Honda Engine You'd think that, given it utilized a chassis inspired by the NSX, Mitsuoka would have sourced the NSX's high-revving V6 powerplant too. Well, not quite, as Mitsuoka wanted to tread its own path. It instead got hold of Honda's big Japanese rival Toyota, where it cut a deal to take a load of its 3MZ-FE V6 engines off its hands. The unit was naturally aspirated and had a displacement of 3.3 liters, with it normally being found under the hood of models like the Toyota Camry and Highlander, as well as the Lexus RX 330. The V6 was mounted in the middle of the Orochi's wacky body in a quest to aid weight distribution, with it connected to the rear wheels via a five-speed automatic transmission. This hinted at the Orochi's true intentions, as the lack of a manual option illustrated that it was designed to be a bit of a GT rather than a true performance-focused sports car. With 233 hp on tap, the Orochi could hit 0-60 mph in about 7.0 seconds. Some versions of the car were built with a supercharged version of the powerplant, which boosted power to 300 hp. Mitsuoka's Sports Car Was Built To Handle Whatever Roads Were Thrown At It The Orochi was graced with an advanced double-wishbone independent suspension setup on all four corners, meaning it could tackle corners confidently and smoothly. Mitsuoka went with a setup that allowed the Orochi to smooth out bumps and provide a comfortable ride, though still with enough support to prevent it from leaning like a trawler on the high seas under heavy cornering. Think of it as more of a poser's cruiser, and you'd be about right. Mitsuoka developed its very own spaceframe chassis based on the NSX platform. The 18-inch aluminum wheels hid a set of ventilated disc brakes, which played a key part in getting the vehicle to stop as well as it went. The Orochi wasn't exactly a lightweight, as it tips the scales at a little over 3,500 pounds, a consequence of the luxurious cabin that was designed more to keep occupants comfy than to transport them to light speed. Some Orochi Have Managed To Escape Their Homeland Should Mitsuoka's stand-out coupe have piqued your interest, then you'll be pleased to know that it's possible to get one for yourself. That said, prepare for a bit of a wait as they don't crop up outside their home nation very often. Interestingly, they don't seem to have held their value well at all, given just how exclusive they are in the rest of the world, with only around 400 thought to be built. A 2009 car, fitted with the supercharged engine, was sold in the United Kingdom by Collecting Cars in 2023 for the equivalent of $43,000. The example was in amazing condition inside and out, mainly due to the fact that it had covered just 50 miles in its life. Considering the Orochi retailed at around $90,000 when it was new, it represents a tantalizing bargain for those who are looking to roll around in something a bit different. If you can find one. Mitsuoka's Model Catalog Is A Frenzy Of Wacky Creations The Orochi is just the tip of the iceberg as far as Mitsuoka's crazy builds go, with the company still at it to this day. It recently unveiled the second edition of its M55, which is essentially a Honda Civic that comes with a new body inspired by 1970s American muscle cars, such as the Dodge Challenger. There is also the Galue, a Rolls-Royce-inspired luxury sedan built upon the underpinnings of a Nissan Teana, a mid-size JDM sedan. Mitsuoka's Strangest Models Le-Seyde: Nissan Silvia-based coupe inspired by 1930s vehicles Himiko: Mazda MX-5-based drop-top inspired by 1940s vehicle design Buddy: Toyota RAV4-based SUV inspired by 1980s American SUVs like the Chevy Blazer Rock Star: Mazda MX-5-based sports car using design ques from American sports cars like the Corvette C2 One of the most stand-out options available is a little number called the Himiko, which uses the Mazda MX-5 Miata as a starting point. The Mazda's body is then ripped away and replaced with a handcrafted one modeled after 1940s cars, which includes features such as a long, flowing hood and oval-shaped lights. As a result of Mitsuoka choosing to kit it out with the smaller of Mazda's MX-5 engines, the 130-hp 1.5-liter inline-four, don't expect it to set your hair on fire on the open road. You will turn heads, although whether that's for a good or bad reason is up in the air.