Detroit - Mitsubishi exhibit gives dose of history

Jan 29, 2008 12:18 PM

It happened again. A long-time automaker that needs an image boost put classic models on a show floor, alongside gleaming new hardware. Mitsubishi pulled this trick in Detroit, and for me they stole the show.

In recent memory, Mitsubishi has lost the (little known) reputation it had for building cars with cutting-edge technology or performance. Even its fire-breathing Lancer Evolution sells in tiny numbers in the United States, though it is known around the world for its performance winning rallies during the 1990s. And when was the last time you saw a turbo Eclipse or 3000GT, let alone a Starion?

On Mitsubishi’s stand at the NAIAS, was the Evo’s progenitor, the 1981 Lancer EX 2000 turbo rally car. This right-hand drive car sported banged-up wings and huge driving lights on the front bumper for blasting down dirt roads through the forests at night. Mostly anonymous in the States, rallying combines extreme feats of car control and navigation with actual production cars modified for racing, making it the purest, and most thrilling form of motor sports in my book. Many of the world’s most iconic performance cars made a name in rallying, including the Audi Quattro, Mini Cooper, Porsche 911, and Subaru WRX. It was good to see this original rally sedan drawing interest on the floor.

The 1984 Mitsubishi Starion turbo inspired import enthusiasm in its day, and it was raced extensively. The one on Mitsubishi’s display was spec’d for Group A road racing, and it brought back memories of my college days.

Despite the RA concept car stuffed off in a corner, the most unusual and eye-catching car on the stand was the 1972 Galant GTO-R73X originally shown at the Tokyo auto show in 1972. Its edgy styling must have been as distinctive as the 1964 1/2 Ford Mustang was in the United States. It looked like a cross between a 1976 Toyota Celica and an Alfa Romeo GTV coupe. And its well-finished black vinyl interior brought back even more memories.