Mitsubishi’s 15 heritage cars for sale

This is a rare chance

Mitsubishi UK will auction off its entire heritage fleet next month, and all 15 cars are being offered with no reserve.

The heritage fleet comprises vehicles from all periods of the brand’s time in the UK, from the very first Mitsubishi registered in Britain, a 1974 entry-level Colt Lancer 1.4, to the 2015 Evo X FQ-440 that was launched to celebrate the company’s 40th anniversary in the country.

It is quite a set – and quite a special opportunity.

Look, no reserves!

All of the vehicles are being sold through an Auto Auction online sale, and bids will be accepted from 1-30 April.

Let’s take a closer look at the 15 cars going under the hammer next month.

1. 1907 Mitsubishi Model A scale model

The Mitsubishi Model A was actually Japan’s first series production automobile.

It was a luxury vehicle that was aimed squarely at top-level executives, and even government officials, so was designed to be quiet, comfortable and reliable.

1907 Mitsubishi Model A scale model (cont.)

However, none of the original 30 cars has survived, so this 7/10th-scale model was created from the original plans.

A single-cylinder mower engine provides the power.

2. 1974 Colt Lancer 1.4

Here is where it all began for Mitsubishi in the UK.

This 1974 Colt Lancer (Mitsubishis were called Colts before 1987) is the first Mitsubishi ever registered in Britain.

Indeed, this very vehicle was one of the brand’s star cars on its stand at the British Motor Show at Earls Court that year.

1974 Colt Lancer 1.4 (cont.)

This first Lancer model was also the basis for the company’s entry into the world of rallying. It won the Safari Rally twice and the Southern Cross Rally four times.

Not a bad start, and things would only get better.

3. 1974 Colt Galant

This early second-generation Colt Galant is a range-topping 2000 GL version, and under the bonnet lies the then-new 1995cc Astron engine, which developed a sprightly 115hp.

It served as the Colt Car Company’s dealer-recruitment demonstrator.

1974 Colt Galant (cont.)

The second-generation Galant was notable for its ‘Coke bottle’ styling, with the pronounced haunches over its rear wheels.

This car is also resplendent with period-essential light-brown-and-cream interior trim.

4. 1983 Mitsubishi Jeep CJ-3B

In 1953, Mitsubishi Motors started producing Jeeps under licence from the Willys Company in the US.

These vehicles were mainly for sale to the Japanese market. However, this particular example was built in 1979 and was one of eight imported to the UK by the Colt Car Company.

1979 Mitsubishi Jeep CJ-3B (cont.)

This CJ-3B has covered fewer than 19,000 miles since then.

And a 1979 Jeep that’s likely to be reliable – what’s not to love?

5. 1987 Mitsubishi Shogun SWB

The Mitsubishi Shogun could stake a claim as one of the first family SUVs when it appeared in 1982, because it had been designed to blend genuine off-road ability with the comfort, handling and specification that car drivers wanted.

Yes, the Range Rover predates it, but that’s just too posh.

1987 Mitsubishi Shogun SWB (cont.)

This entry-level three-door is known within Mitsubishi as ‘Little Pea’, because of its numberplate.

It joined the heritage fleet in 2018. Auto Auction tells us it looks as if it is in showroom condition.

6. 1988 Mitsubishi Starion

Back in the day, the Mitsubishi Starion was a slightly Manga rival to the Porsche 944, and its engine was an early version of the one that would eventually power Tommi Mäkinen to his world championships, and which would bow out in the Evo IX of 2005.

1988 Mitsubishi Starion (cont.)

The engine in this heritage fleet Starion has recently been overhauled and also given a turbo rebuild, so it should feel extremely fit indeed.

7. 1989 Mitsubishi Galant rally replica

This sixth-generation Galant 2.0 GTI was first registered by Mitsubishi Motors in the UK.

It was then converted into a rally car replica by specialist CO-ORDSPORT, in order to promote Pentti Airikkala’s involvement in the 1989 Lombard RAC Rally.

1989 Mitsubishi Galant rally replica (cont.)

Indeed, the Finnish driver took overall victory in the event that year.

This Galant was put in dry storage from 2003 until 2017, when it was bought back by Mitsubishi Motors and restored to roadgoing condition

8. 1992 Mitsubishi 3000GT

Mitsubishi’s replacement for the Starion had big shoes to fill, so the 3000GT was a technical tour de force that went head to head with cars such as the Nissan 300ZX and Toyota Supra.

This car is one of the more desirable pre-facelift models that feature pop-up headlamps.

1993 Mitsubishi 3000GT (cont.)

To drive, Auto Auction tells us this heritage fleet 3000GT feels much as it would have done when new.

Auto Auction also thinks that for anyone who lusted after one in the ’90s, this is probably the best, all-original, utterly healthy and usable example you’re likely to find.

9. 2000 Mitsubishi Shogun SWB 3.0 V6

This blue-on-silver Shogun was one of the very last second-generation models registered in the UK, and it was in an extremely unusual specification; it’s a SWB 3.0-litre V6 automatic but without leather trim or the optional A/C kit.

2000 Mitsubishi Shogun SWB 3.0 V6 (cont.)

It may be more than 20 years old, but it has covered fewer than 46,000 miles, so basically it’s just getting started in life.

10. 2001 Mitsubishi Lancer 2.0 Evolution VI Tommi Mäkinen

Race on Sunday, sell on Monday, so the saying goes.

Hence this Lancer Evo VI, which was introduced to celebrate the fourth World Rally Championship drivers’ title for the legendary Tommi Mäkinen.

2001 Mitsubishi Lancer 2.0 Evolution VI Tommi Mäkinen (cont.)

This particular car has been owned from new by Mitsubishi Motors in the UK and is car #6 (a nod to the fact it is an Evo 6).

It has covered just over 10,000 miles, and has even been autographed by Mäkinen – so don’t wash it!

11. 2007 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX Group N

This is the Group N Lancer Evo IX in which Guy Wilks won the 2007 and ’08 British Rally Championships.

With either Phil Pugh or David Moynihan on the notes, this car recorded multiple outright victories on both Tarmac and gravel events.

2007 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX Group N (cont.)

This Evolution IX also finished 14th overall on the 2008 Rally GB, so has significant competition pedigree.

Maybe something for its winning bidder to aspire to?

12. 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX MR FQ-360 HKS

Even without the heritage fleet provenance, this would stand a good chance of being an expensive beast.

That’s because this Evolution IX MR FQ-360 HKS was the final edition of the platform that underpinned the Evo VII, VIII and IX, and only 200 units were built.

2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX MR FQ-360 HKS (cont.)

According to Auto Auction, this car has had the full-on mollycoddling treatment throughout its life and has done fewer than 5000 miles.

We are told it is virtually in showroom condition.

13. 2015 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X FQ-440 MR

This car was the 10th and final Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution and was also built to commemorate the brand’s 40th anniversary in the UK.

It’s fair to say it represented quite the crescendo. Only 40 were produced and they sold out a matter of hours after being announced.

2015 Mitsubishi Evolution X FQ-440 MR (cont.)

The car’s 2.0-litre turbocharged engine develops 440bhp, so you can guess what the letters F and Q might stand for. Yes indeed – fairly quick.

14. 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV GX4hs

This vehicle is the very definition of ‘barely run in’. Why?

Because it has covered just 1800 miles over the course of a very easy life.

2015 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV GX4hs (cont.)

This example was added to the heritage fleet simply because it has proved to be such an important model for the brand.

However, it has barely been used because it isn’t old enough to appeal as a vehicle for a heritage feature.

It is in popular GX4h specification and the Glacier Blue launch colour.

15. 2017 Mitsubishi L200 Desert Warrior

This truck came into being through a collaboration between Mitsubishi’s head of PR and journalist Tom Ford, who found they had a mutual interest.

Mitsubishi wanted to build a show truck to demonstrate the abilities of its best-selling L200, and Ford needed an unusual vehicle for an off-the-wall magazine feature.

2017 Mitsubishi L200 Desert Warrior (cont.)

So, when the truck was completed it was immediately shipped to Namibia where it was filmed and photographed for a 10-page feature in Top Gear magazine.

To find out more about the Mitsubishi Heritage Fleet Auction, click here.