Send to a friendThe Stig August 30th, 2007 11:24 AM Link
WHY???????
Eleanor? Japanese Kit Car Company Turns Toyota into Mustang
Written By: Seyth Miersma
Over the course of an average day here at WINDING ROAD, our online meanderings lead us to stumble over quite a few kit cars. And though they range from the bland to the bizarre, it’s not too often that we find something we truly believe is worth sharing with the public.
Today is not your average day.
Witness, the Ride Cars GTR350. Based on a second generation Toyota MR2 and inspired by Eleanor from the film(s), Gone in 60 Seconds, the GTR350 is a bizzaro world ‘Stang extraordinaire.
Looking vaguely like a GT 350 drawn from memory by a team of Japanese animators, the transition from MR2 to muscle car certainly does not go unnoticed in the Ride Cars kit. With comically plumped up fenders and a front clip only a mother could love, GTR350 owners will undoubtedly attract a bit of attention while cruising around town, to say nothing of the “forgot the engine” jokes that are sure to ensue. Caveat emptor.
Not the only body built by the British company, Ride Cars seems to have better considered natural evolutions of the Toyota donor for some of its other experiments, to less tickling results.
With scores of used MR2’s up for sale daily on eBay, and Ride Cars promise of an inexpensive, quick (3 to 5 weeks) build, we wouldn’t be entirely surprised to see a passel of these cherubic icons the next time we’re in Blighty. Well…maybe a little surprised.
(Click on the thumbnails below to view a gallery of the Ride Cars GTR350 as well as other Ride Cars kits)
11 Comments
C. Champion August 30th, 2007 12:45 PM Link
Where’s Ashton? I feel like I’ve been punk’d.
"Eleanor" kit for MR2 in UK - Toyota MR2 Message Board August 30th, 2007 1:48 PM Link
[…] "Eleanor" kit for MR2 in UK Winding Road Archive Eleanor? Japanese Kit Car Company Turns Toyota into Mustang did a quick search here, haven’t seen it posted yet. My friend sent this to me today. […]
Rex August 30th, 2007 3:41 PM Link
The front is Crap-tastic, but I kind of like the rear and sides of the gtr350 lite. I guess I may need to double my meds.
dante August 30th, 2007 6:28 PM Link
Wouldn’t it be cheaper to just buy an f’n Mustang instead of crapifying a decent looking car? If it isn’t, maybe I should see about exporting some over there - they must be desperate!
john August 31st, 2007 8:27 AM Link
to dante:
Though this is hideous on many levels, since mustangs were never sold in Japan, it may well be cheaper to kit an MR2 than import a classic american car.
Marvm August 31st, 2007 10:14 AM Link
Oh man, that should be illegal. Can’t Ford sue tham for slander? Ride Cars should be ashamed of themselves.
Ducati Minor August 31st, 2007 7:42 PM Link
The Japanese did come up with a new Bullitt custom using the current Mustang.
devnull September 3rd, 2007 9:35 PM Link
why they would do this is pretty obvious. Japan is a group of islands surrounded by salt water. Salt water is known to do wonders to steel that is not galvanized. My dad’s 1969 RS Camaro died a painful death on Japan from the salt air. Many cars faced much the same fate there.
keith February 8th, 2008 10:26 AM Link
u should be ashamed of your selves!!!!!!!!!!
u r all gay!!!!!!
however that green MR2 at the top of the page is ver nice
Diesel with Attitude: The Audi A3 TDI Clubsport Quattro
Report: Volkswagen Working on Driverless Self-Parking System for Production
More Spied Images of New Camaro Interior
Early Scoop on Volkswagen Tiguan's U.S. Launch, Diesel Delayed? Not Coming? 
Report: Mercedes-Benz to Leverage Aluminum for Next E-class
HTML Formatting Tips
- To make something bold: <strong>Text to bold</strong>
- To make something italic: <em>Text to italicize</em>
- To make a hyperlink: <a href="URL">Text to link</a>
- To quote something previously said, you can use <blockquote>text</blockquote>
Markdown Formatting Tips (advanced)This site also allows use of Markdown formatting in the comment section. This accomplishes the same formatting as HTML but is typically easy to use.
my code* Second item
• Second item
1. Second item
2. Second item
<email@add.com>