The Tokyo Auto Salon is probably one of the last places you’d find 50s and 60s sleds, deuces, shoeboxes, and gassers. This is, no doubt, an automotive summit, but the event is rooted and geared towards the import and sport compact after market.

That’s not to say that inspiration can’t be taken from other automotive genres. That was definitely the case for one car that was on display this year. Now, whether it lays critical foundation for a future movement or falls utterly flat is up to you. We stumbled across this build on autoweek.com and the photos are from 7tune.com.

According to mazdaroadster.net a forum member confirmed that this MX-5 Miata was, “actually built by a Technical Training School, maybe similar to Automotive Engineering School here in the U.S.A.”

With its low profile, open headers, exposed engine bay, bucket headlights, and deleted fenders the students at this automotive technical school were definitely trying to channel an aesthetic. As with all concepts and one off builds, mixed reviews are unavoidable. Amidst the outpour of criticism and praise what stands out is this group of builder’s tenacity to see this concept through.

The MX-5 Miata, otherwise referred to simply as the Roadster in Japan, is a lightweight two seater roadster with a front engine, rear wheel drive layout. It is manufactured by Mazda in Hiroshima, Japan and made its initial debut in 1989 at the Chicago Auto Show.

From its inception the MX-5 has always used a straight-4 setup in varying displacements ranging from 1.6L to 2.0L. What are your opinions on the conceptualization and execution of this vehicle?