Throughout time, history will produce a rare and unique spectacle that manages to stop all that comes its way. On a windswept and desolate plain north of the New South Wales township of Bombala, it has today conspired to create one such spectacle that may never occur again.
Burnima Homestead, a 32-room Victorian gothic style mansion, was built by grazier Henry Tolamache Edwards in 1896. Its design originated from the same architect responsible for the Governor-General’s residence at Yarralumla in Canberra and the stunning Carrington Hotel in Katoomba. Surrounding gardens stretch over 7000 acres with plantings from around the world and some frame a driveway that contains the kind of grandeur best reserved for those of high society.
Now and then – Burnima Homestead’s grand architectural facade has changed little, seen here today and in 1940 – TylerP. Media / Steve Rickett
Had Bombala succeeded in becoming the site of the nation’s capital in 1913, this stunning piece of history would have been elevated to the official residence of the Governor General of Australia. But history had other plans, and so too did the makers of the vehicle which has fittingly joined this grand statement of architecture for its moment in front of the camera – Dan’s 2001 Series II Mitsuoka Le-Seyde.
Dan is an eclectic owner who’s comfortable in his own skin. Sporting a big bushy beard, timber cane and wearing a tartan kilt, one almost feels that they’ve been transported to Scotland as the weather closes in around the magnificent Mitsuoka Le-Seyde. Underlining the spell that the car casts upon new eyes, Burnima Homestead owner Matt Benwell looms large in the background as he marvels at the missing piece of his property he never knew was there. It’s a familiar feeling not lost on Dan.
“I’ve been following the Mitsuoka for a couple of years now and it came up for sale and I just jumped on it. So, not necessarily following this car, but to get the chance to own the rare variant was a must do.”
Mitsuoka is a carriage works company located in Toyama City, Japan. Founded in 1968 and the tenth automotive maker located in the country, the company has occasionally birthed its own vehicles in the form of the retro classic TD-2000 roadster, the Showa Retro M55 and practical vehicles such as the Viewt, Galue, Himiko, Ryugi and Buddy. If those sound-like random words generated by AI, then the name Mitsuoka is perhaps more well known as the custom vehicle maker responsible for taking existing chassis and creating an altogether different vehicle like the Le-Seyde.
“So, in ye olden days, cars would just be a chassis and then another company would put the body on the chassis. They would buy cars from other manufacturers, usually Japanese. They would rebuild the body and do a little bit on the interior and then sell them on as their own cars.”
The Le-Seyde first entered production with the Series I in 1990. Of this badge there were only 500 produced and all are claimed to have sold within four days of sale. Based on the design plans of classic 1920’s and 1930’s saloons, its most notable observation is that it was based on the chassis of a Nissan Silvia S15. A second release soon followed in 1991 as a convertible series before a final batch followed in 2000 known as the New Le-Seyde. Dan’s vehicle, a Series II of the first Le-Seyde, is number 70 of 80.
Le-Seyde is French for the term neo-classic, and this is immediately present when viewing the car. An extended front end gives way to long, elegant lines that rise and fall around the chassis. An homage to vehicles of the early 20th century, industry rumours have given way to claims of a Mercedes imposter, but Dan thinks otherwise. Faux wheel spares are side adjacent to the main cabin, perhaps the only recognisable section as that of the Silvia. The rear is short but full of design flair and a head turner wherever the vehicle appears, if not the colour; which was present from factory.
In the engine bay one will find a Nissan SR20 motor. A non-turbo variant, this is due to the bonnet shrink towards the front of the vehicle; a Nissan intercooler simply has no room to fit. As a result, this affected the overall cost of the vehicle, which meant Dan could afford to become an owner. In the cabin is more enthusiast opulence with roots that can be traced to a relatively unmodified 200SX body. While all identifiable Nissan badging was removed, Dan explains that the previous owner then put every single Nissan factory option back onto the car including car seat covers, trim panels around the dials and more. Though the vehicle became a Mitsuoka, its Nissan heritage is very much alive.
“So, even though Mitsuoka started with a relatively base model car, the previous owner in Japan really did help to elevate this to the next level.”
The next level means keeping the car as standard as possible for Dan, who acknowledges its rarity. Minor tweaks are forthcoming such as an Australian stereo replacement, but the ultimate reward is just being at peace with the car and the attention it draws. For this story alone the team acknowledges that almost all vehicles that passed the Mitsuoka on the Monaro Highway saw a head turn from the driver, a thumbs up from a burly motorcyclist and an ongoing inspection from the public at the McDonalds restaurant in Cooma.
“It turns heads all the time and I hope to come out more often. I will be floating around Canberra, so you’ll be seeing it around the place. If you are wanting to arrive in style, send me a phone call!”
Matt’s dogs, Captain and Morgan have come to see the strange intruder on their property. As photographer Tyler moves around the Mitsuoka one final time, it feels as though they are not alone – there’s the distant sensation that the ghostly eyes of Burnima Homestead’s former resident, Ms Edith Edwards, is witnessing the spectacle from her upstairs window. She may wonder if she’s been transported back in time to a place where such vehicles, actual classics from the period, reigned supreme and visited her expansive property.
Like all great mysteries in life, we may never know. As the team head down the former ceremonial driveway under the watchful gaze of a stone Gargoyle, leaden skies beckon heavy rainfall and a cold breeze from the Monaro Plains whips around the Mitsuoka. An ominous feeling that the car belongs to the homestead is present as Dan carefully pulls back out onto the highway bound for the nations’ capital. A visit to Burnima Homestead is like a drive in a Mitsuoka Le-Seyde – it stays with you, forever.
Photography captured at Burnima Homestead, Bombala by Tyler Parrott at TylerP. Media featuring Dan Hughes and his 2001 Series II Mitsuoka Le-Seyde. Article hosted by Kevin Ha at Streetscene. Archival images courtesy of Steve Rickett. The Carlective wish to thank Matt Benwell, family and animals at Burnima Homestead. Words, research and story by Justin Bush for MazdACT Stories, Summer 2025.