ADG 36 - SOLVED - "Mercedes Benz 300SL" based on Hillman Mark VII, "Corvette" based on Hino / Renaul

[75america]

Both the Corvette and 300 SL are worth a point, so 2 points for grabs with this puzzle!

However, your identification must contain some kind of evidence because my source is a bit of a mess on that front.

[75america]

Do the Experts have ideas?

[75america]

Can pro's identify these cars (with evidence!)?

[Allemano]

Let's take this out of the shade... Made by German coachbuilders?

[75america]

Thank you for giving some attention to this puzzle 

As far as I know, no Germans were involved

[Allemano]

converted by Europeans?

[75america]

I believe they were not.

[Allemano]

South America?

[75america]

Nor from South America

[Allemano]

USA?

[75america]

Also not from the North of the Americas

[yves]

From Japan ?

[75america]

Japan it is!

[Allemano]

here comes the most boring question of all: book or internet source?

[75america]

Book.  And all text is in Japanese...

[Allemano]

I have a notion what that means..

[Arunas]

Ever tried to apply OCR to Japanese text?

[75america]

Ever tried to apply OCR to Japanese text?

Yes, but even then, the explanation remains 'Chinese' for me.

Before I move this to the Black Hole, the rear of the " 'Vette ":

[João]

And the Mercedes : 

[Oguerrerob]

They are both 1960's Datsun Roadster. They appear into 'Japanese And rare Cars You Could See In City Streets Of The 1960's'.  On sale on ebay!

[75america]

I took the pictures indeed from that book, but as far as my knowledge of Japanese reaches, I believe that at least the Corvette is not based on a Datsun but on a Renault (Hino?) 4 CV.

[Oguerrerob]

They're both tagged as a Datsun Roadster, but the opposite page shows a Hino-Renault 4CV,  maybe it's 4CV modified, just a guess 'cause I don't have the book. The Mercedes is very similar to the Datsun Fairlady Roadster, so I guess is one of them

[75america]

Guessing is not enough to score the points.

I'm almost 100% sure the Vette is based on a renault/Hino 4CV because in the photo caption there is mentioned "1958? some japanese characters - 4CV -  some Japanese characters. 
Also, did Datsun made rear engined cars in the 50's ?

The Mercedes might have been based on a Datsun, but as far as as I understand the photo caption text (with OCR) there is no mention of Datsun (or any other car basis).

[Oguerrerob]

Some japanese friend translated part of this book and told me that:
The fake Mercedes Benz 300SL is a Hillman Mark VII modified
The fake Corvette is a Hino/Renault 4CV modified

[75america]

Some japanese friend translated part of this book and told me that:
The fake Mercedes Benz 300SL is a Hillman Mark VII modified
The fake Corvette is a Hino/Renault 4CV modified

Although I can't confirm, I think this is the closest answer we will get. 
I'll award you the points and move this one to the solved section.