Mitsuoka Zero1 History

Introduced in June 1994, the Zero1 was the first vehicle Mitsuoka designed entirely from scratch (aside from the engine and drivetrain) and the product that secured the company's recognition as Japan's tenth registered automobile manufacturer — the first new entrant since Honda in 1963. Its design referenced the Lotus Super Seven: a lightweight, open-top two-seater with a long hood, cycle fenders, and a driver-focused cockpit.

Early cars used a 1.6-litre Mazda engine (from the Eunos Roadster / MX-5 platform), replaced by a 1.8-litre unit after approximately two years. A five-speed manual transmission sent power to the rear wheels. The Zero1 stayed in production into the early 2000s (sources vary on the exact end year; roughly 1998–2002), and a Classic Type-F variant won the 1997 Good Design Award.