Perhaps the star of the auction is this 2001 Lancer Evo VI. The Tommi Makinen edition was built by Mitsiubishi to celebrate the Finn's fourth World Rally Championship at the wheel of one of its cars. Only 2,500 of the 276bhp rally-inspired road rockets were ever built, making any example desirable. However, this immaculate one is signed by the man himself, just adding to its kudosPerhaps the star of the auction is this 2001 Lancer Evo VI. The Tommi Makinen edition was built by Mitsiubishi to celebrate the Finn's fourth World Rally Championship at the wheel of one of its cars. Only 2,500 of the 276bhp rally-inspired road rockets were ever built, making any example desirable. However, this immaculate one is signed by the man himself, just adding to its kudos
Perhaps the star of the auction is this 2001 Lancer Evo VI. The Tommi Makinen edition was built by Mitsiubishi to celebrate the Finn's fourth World Rally Championship at the wheel of one of its cars. Only 2,500 of the 276bhp rally-inspired road rockets were ever built, making any example desirable. However, this immaculate one is signed by the man himself, just adding to its kudos

Gallery: Mitsubishi's amazing heritage fleet goes to auction

Japanese car maker is selling off 14 classics, from early 4x4s to rally icons
By Matt Allan
1st Apr 2021, 7:00am

Mitsubishi Motors UK is putting its entire heritage fleet up for auction.

The Japanese car maker will stop selling new cars in the UK later this year and ahead of becoming an aftersales-only operation, it has decided to sell off its collection of classic and rare cars.

Fourteen cars and a selection of private number plates are being sold without reserve on specialist site Auto Auction. The auction begins on 1 April and closes on 30 April, with staggered finishing times for the various lots.

As bidding gets underway, here's a look at the highlights of the auction, from 80s sports cars to the iconic Lancer Evo.

This is the first Mitsubishi ever registered in the UK, brought in as the company tried to establish a presence on these shores. Bearing very little resemblance to later models bearing the Lancer name, this basic little two-door saloon was powered by a 68bhp 1.4-litre engine.

1. 1974 Mitsubishi Colt Lancer 1.4

This is the first Mitsubishi ever registered in the UK, brought in as the company tried to establish a presence on these shores. Bearing very little resemblance to later models bearing the Lancer name, this basic little two-door saloon was powered by a 68bhp 1.4-litre engine. Photo: Mitsubishi

The heritage fleet's Starion is a glorious slice of 1980s nostalgia with its wedge design and pop-up headlights. Under the bonnet is a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine which has just undergone an ovehaul, along with the turbo, to ensure it's as good to drive as it is to look at.

2. 1988 Mitsubishi Starion

The heritage fleet's Starion is a glorious slice of 1980s nostalgia with its wedge design and pop-up headlights. Under the bonnet is a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine which has just undergone an ovehaul, along with the turbo, to ensure it's as good to drive as it is to look at. Photo: Mitsubishi

This early example of Mitsubishi's second-generation family saloon was imported to the UK in 1974 and used as the Colt Car Company's demonstrator as it tried to recruit dealers to sell its product. A 2000 GL model, this range-topper offering a whopping 115bhp from its 2.0-litre Astron engine.

3. 1974 Mitsubishi Colt Galant 2.0

This early example of Mitsubishi's second-generation family saloon was imported to the UK in 1974 and used as the Colt Car Company's demonstrator as it tried to recruit dealers to sell its product. A 2000 GL model, this range-topper offering a whopping 115bhp from its 2.0-litre Astron engine. Photo: Mitsubishi

The 1990s successor to the Starion, the 3000GT packed a more serious punch with a twin-turbo 3.0-litre V6 putting out an official 276bhp, and far more technology, with four-wheels-steering, active aero and electronically controlled suspension. This pre-facelift model retains the always-cool pop-up headlights and is, according to the auction listing "probably the best, all-original, utterly healthy and usable example you are ever likely to find".

4. 1992 Mitsubishi 3000GT

The 1990s successor to the Starion, the 3000GT packed a more serious punch with a twin-turbo 3.0-litre V6 putting out an official 276bhp, and far more technology, with four-wheels-steering, active aero and electronically controlled suspension. This pre-facelift model retains the always-cool pop-up headlights and is, according to the auction listing "probably the best, all-original, utterly healthy and usable example you are ever likely to find". Photo: Mitsubishi

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