“Cute cars” that are used for everyday driving gather in Yahiko, Niigata.

The theme of the event “GFGS CARLIFE IN YAHIKO Vol.1” held on June 9, 2024, in Yahiko Village, Niigata Prefecture was “cute cars made in the 1980s to 2010s that are used for everyday practical purposes”. We spoke with “Nacchin,” a female owner who participated in the event with Mitsuoka Motors’ first-generation “Viewt,” a car that perfectly suited the theme of the event. 

Mitsuoka’s first generation Viewt

“I use it for everyday use,” she said.

In light of the purpose of the event, “cute cars made in the 1980s to 2010s that are used for everyday purposes,” this is one car that fits the bill perfectly. It is the “Viewt,” a product of Mitsuoka Motors, which now seems to have established its own unique position as a “unique small car manufacturer.

The first generation Mitsuoka Viewt was planned at the end of the bubble economy by Mitsuoka Motors, a Toyama-based company known for car sales and customization, and debuted in 1993 as a unique model based on the second-generation Nissan March and tailored with a retro-style body. It has been about 30 years since the debut of the first generation. The current Beut is now in its fourth generation, having evolved in response to the evolution of its base vehicle. Its long-seller status proves that there are always a certain number of users who are not satisfied with the “hang-ups” of the major manufacturers.

When I started working and looking for a car of my own, I fell in love with the Viewt at first sight

“I didn’t know about Mitsuoka Motor at first,”

said Nacchin, the owner of this first-generation Viewt.

“I was originally looking for a Miragino or something like that, but one day I happened to see a car at a home improvement center. It was love at first sight.”

After that, he did some research.

After that, he did some research and found that it was the first-generation Viewt. After that, he was looking for a car, and he chose the Viewt as his favorite car. He continued his search around the prefecture, and in October of last year, he met this car at a used car store and became the proud owner.

“This car is 2000, which makes it a so-so old car for my generation, born in 2000, but I use it for everything from daily use to touring to attending events like today. The A/T was in bad shape until a little while ago, but I had it serviced last week and it is now completely healed. Also, I’m starting to notice a little rust on the body, so I’m thinking of going to a sheet metal shop soon.”

They are maintaining the condition of the car while taking care of various things.

He is enjoying himself even more deeply by researching the Viewt and Mitsuoka

“Nacchin” did a lot of research on the Viewt and Mitsuoka before and after he got it. He has already learned most of the basic information, such as that the design motif was based on the Jaguar Mk. II, and that the body color of the base K11 March remains under the hood, which reminds him of the car’s origins.

“Mitsuoka Motors is interesting. They do things that major manufacturers would never do.”

He has also joined Mitsuoka’s owner’s club and is now a Mitsuoka sympathizer.

While many stubborn old men of his generation yearn for the original Jaguar but end up never driving one, “Nacchin” enjoys his daily life with his Viewt in a lighthearted way. It seems that many young girls own Mitsuoka cars, and I think I understand why.

translated by DeepL