Mitsubishi is one of the largest
companies of the world, and automobile manufacture
makes up only one part of the conglomerates empire.
It was originally established in 1870 as a shipping
concern, then became one of the pioneering Japanese
automotive manufacturers when it manufactured
its first car in 1917 – only around 20
of the Fiat designed Model A would be manufactured
before the company decided to concentrate on
other endeavours in 1921, including the manufacture
of trucks and buses.
Mitsubishi spent many years manufacturing
the infamous A6M “Zero” fighter which
rose to prominence in World War 2, then it would
take until 1953 before the company again ventured
in the automotive arena, this time building Jeeps
under licence. In 1959 came the 500, a typical
Japanese micro car that used a three cylinder
2 stroke engine. Renamed the Colt, it would inevitably
grow in size from the fastback 800 to the 1100
saloon.
In 1966 Mitsubishi attempted to launch
their large six-cylinder “Debonair” in
Australia, it brimming with standard kit such
as air-conditioning, automatic transmission,
electric seat adjustment and a self-seeking radio,
however it came at a time when Australians chose
to buy Japanese for only one reason – their
low price – and it proved far from successful.
During the 1970’s the company showed some
bold initiative, releasing the stylish Galant
coupe in 1974, and later developing the “Astron” engine,
which featured a balancer shaft to smooth out
unwanted vibration, an unwanted characteristic
of nearly all 4 cylinder engines up until that
time. Export markets came courtesy of a tie-in
with US manufacturer Chrysler, the Mitsubishi’s
being re-badged as Chryslers to enable the company
to bolster their product offering.
The first
Sigma’s offered in Australia were re-badged
as Chrysler’s, but when financial problems
beset the giant Chrysler Corporation Mitsubishi
Motors Australia Limited were ready to assume
control. The company inherited a dynamic team
of engineers, designers and managers, many of
whom had worked with Chrysler since its Australian
inception.
|
|
|
1966 - 1970
It was easy to like the Colt 1100. Unlike many other small cars on offer, the little Mitsubishi had a vivacious personality, it not only being able to reward the enthusiastic driver, but also allowing the more complacent to remain as little affected by the atrocious Australian road conditions of the time - far beyond what any small car should. More >> |
|
|
|
1976 - 1983
Coinciding with the finalisation of Mitsubishi
Motors takeover Chrysler Australia was the
release of the first front-wheel vehicle sold by
either company in Australia. Mitsubishi's association
with Chrysler both here and in America went back
the better part of a decade, during which time
Mitsubishi has supplied cars to Chrysler either
in knock-down form or fully assembled to sell under
the Chrysler name. Chrysler also manufactured in
their Australian plants various Mitsubishi based
models under licence. More >> |
|
|
|
1977 - 1983
At its introduction in late 1977 the Sigma was the same
car as that was made and sold in Japan, but attention
to customer feedback enabled Mitsubishi to tailor the
Sigma for local conditions. Inside and out, the range
underwent significant improvement over the years. But
it was the 4th generation model released in 1980 that
represented the most significant improvements for Australian
conditions – it even taking out the Car of the
Year award in New Zealand. More >> |
|
|
|
1977 - 1983
The downsizing trend which Mitsubishi exploited and increased
with their wildly successful Sigma inevitably made itself
felt in the wagon market. The GL and SE Sigma fours proved
strong competition for such stalwarts as the Toyota Corona
and the Datsun 200B. The GL wagon was available with
a 2.0-liter Astron engine which could be equipped with
a four or five-speed manual or three-speed automatic,
or with the 2-6-liter Astron which was available as a
four-speed manual or a three-speed automatic. More >> |
|
|
|
1981 - 1985
The Mitsubishi Sigma Scorpion was originally released
in 1977, and underwent several model updates and
engine changes to keep it at the forefront of the
then “under $10,000” coupe market.
The Scorpion was powered by Mitsubishi’s
proven 2.6-liter 'Silent Shaft' four cylinder engine,
never an motor to set the world on fire but a reliable
and tractable unit that offered plenty of torque
across the rev range. But it was on the outside
that the Scorpion differed from the run-of-the-mill
4 cylinder also-ran’s of the late 1970’s
and early 1980’s. More >> |
|
|
|
1983 - 1986
The sweet 1.8 was tractable and smooth, giving the turbo version sparkling performance combined with exceptional fuel economy - provided you resisted the temptation to sink the boot. The Cordia Turbo was particularly popular with young drivers, and it was that very temptation that so often proved too hard to resist. Over the years, finding an example that had not been thrashed and trashed proved increasingly difficult. More >> |
|
|
|
1982 - 1990
1982 was a notable year for Mitsubishi; after the introduction of the Lancer Turbo, with its advanced engine technology, the company spread the turbo influence throughout its range, with Turbo versions of the Galant, Sapporo, and even the little Colt. More >> |
|