Interesting indeed.
The comparison photos really show the differences.
I like the Replicar for what it is and how it looks, because of how it was designed to be built with affordable Mazda parts.
That said, it would be nice to see one built beyond just the "stock" Mazda parts.
Over here in the states, Dayton Wire Wheels will make up a set of beautiful wheels in any size you want.
Doesn't anyone over there? Not cheap, but worth it.
The Replicar will look much better with larger diameter wire wheels.
I would put painted wires on it, not chrome if I was building the car.
And then cut/reshape the wheel arches.
The stock suspension is way too tall for the lighter Replicar. Looks ready for off-roading!
So, like many of us who drive an MX5/Miata we put on shorter shocks or, as I have, adjustable coil-over shocks with shorter springs to lower it several inches.
The seat height in the Replicar is also too high but that is an easy fix.
I am 6'-4" and performed the common "seatectomy" as soon as I got my car.
That removes some of the foam from the seat base. In my case I removed 4" and it works great.
I would also like to bolt my seat to the pan and ditch the runners but after 10 years of daily driving I haven't done it yet...
In the Replicar I would use a thin seat and bolt it down at the perfect place and angle for me and not worry about how other people fit.
It would be MY car after all.
The rear end... well, new body molds would correct that difference from the original, and since the original is taller and more rounded, it should be easy to install the rear lights to comply with legal requirements.
Maybe a Mk II body in the future?
With an accurate copy of the original.
That said, I wouldn't hesitate to buy a Replicar now and make my own modifications if I lived over there.
A beautiful car on its own that just needs a few details to look much better, and a new body mold to look fabulous.
Mods I would make today:
Slam that puppy! Lower it at least 3" and probably more.
Painted wire wheels of the correct size.
Seats mounted on the floor with minimal thickness but high quality/density seat foam.
Those are simple, inexpensive changes that would make it look much better to my eye, but still not a faithful copy obviously.
A demonstrator car should be the best attainable "look" that builders can aspire to achieve by going beyond the budget build.
As is, the Replicar reminds me of a raved about Concept Car revealed to the public at a car show.
Then the factory changes a "few things" to the production model car to make it more "practical".
Only to learn that few buy one because it lost most of what they liked about the concept.
The "LOOK".
Then the factory wonders why people don't buy the production model.
I really, really like the design goal of using the MX5/Miata suspension, subframes, drivetrain, etc.
I would like to see more kit cars using this type of quick and affordable construction.
A "new" Cobra kit could be done so easily this way.
Since installing a V8 in an MX5/Miata is commonly done, designing for that in a kit car would be simple.
The "new" Cobra would be lighter than a stock MX5/Miata AND any other Cobra kits available, and less expensive!
The sacrilegious could even use the stock 4 cylinder engine.
Maybe just while saving up for the V8?