This Honda Civic-Based Vehicle Just Got a Retro Makeover—And It’s Selling for Over $50K

A uniquely mysterious new vehicle
Based on the Honda Civic
The price level surprises everyone!

The Honda Civic was launched in 1972 and has been around for 52 years this year. It is evaluated as a good tuning vehicle because it has a variety of aftermarket parts and a long history. However, the famous coach-builder Mitsuoka is attracting attention by launching a unique new vehicle based on the Civic. The vehicle, previously revealed in November 2023 under the name M55 Concept, was created to commemorate the 55th anniversary of the company’s founding.

The launch of the concept car had not been decided at the time of its release, but sales of the mass-produced model began on November 21, and it is a hot topic. Like the existing Mitsuoka lineup, it is made by modifying mass-produced vehicles from other companies. Unlike the exterior, which looks like a completely different vehicle, there are no major changes to be seen in the interior. The price is more than twice that of the Honda Civic.

Mitsuoka M55 Zero Edition
Full of 1970s retro vibes

The name of the mass-produced model has been decided as M55 Zero Edition. It is characterized by an exterior with almost no trace of the original Civic, and it feels like a retro sensibility that was popular in the 1970s. The front is reminiscent of the Dodge Challenger, one of America’s representative muscle vehicles. In terms of body size, it is slightly longer than the current Civic, with a length of 4,735 mm (186.4 inches), a width of 1,805 mm (71.1 inches), and a height of 1,415 mm (55.7 inches).

The side view shows a complete fastback shape, as it is based on the Civic hatchback. The DLO line, door shape, and part of the rear quarter panel retain the Civic’s appearance—however, the bumper, tail lamp, and tailgate feature Mitsuoka’s individuality. The tires with the white Michelin logo and the exclusive aluminum wheels are sporty, and the rear window is covered with louvers that were popular at the time.

The interior is mostly Civic-like
Only manual transmission versions are made

The interior changes are limited. Honda’s layout is preserved, and the steering wheel is identical except for the Mitsuoka emblem attached to the horn cover. The part to look out for is the shift lever. It has a clutch pedal and a manual shift lever, and in fact, the M55 Zero Edition is produced with only a 6-speed manual transmission. However, Mitsuoka is considering adding an e:HEV specification.

The seats are the most changed part of the interior. Exclusive leather seats in unique colors have been applied, and the stitching on the headrests and the punched parts of the backrest and seat create a luxurious yet vintage atmosphere. The sales method and price of the M55 Zero Edition are also attracting consumers’ interest.

Limited to 100 units, the price starts at 8,085,000 yen (about $52,590)

Uniquely, the M55 Zero Edition is sold through a lottery. 100 units are limited, and purchase applications will be accepted from November 22 of this year to January 19 of next year. However, if the number of applicants reaches 350 during the application period, it will end midway. You can participate in the lottery for this new vehicle by paying a deposit of 5,000 yen (about $33), and if you win, you will have to pay 8,085,000 yen (about $52,590). This is more than twice the base price of the Civic model.

Meanwhile, Mitsuoka had not yet decided whether to mass-produce the M55 concept until it was unveiled last year. After that, a special exhibition was held from the end of last year to January of this year, and it is said that over 1,300 requests for mass production were posted on the official website. Due to the unexpectedly hot response, they reviewed it internally and decided to launch the mass-production model.