- Own a piece of Japanese motoring history
- One of only seven pre-production cars ever made and one of the only two exported
- Built by Mitsubishi Ralliart and still in original state
- Prototype meant for Japanese press car
- Auction starts May 15 and lasts 7 days
Leading online classic and niche vehicle auction site Car & Classic, once again offers the opportunity to own a piece of motoring history, with a very rare, prototype Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VI being offered on auction.
One of seven prototypes built by Mitsubishi Ralliart for use by the Japanese press, and one of only two destined for export to comply with the veto never to be used on public (Japanese) roads, this Evolution VI came to the UK in 1999. Its keeper purchased it directly from Mitsubishi with just over 2,000 miles on the clock and had it shipped out of Japan straightaway.
The Evo VI’s turbocharged 4G63 engine, believed to be blueprinted, has had a cylinder head rebuild in 2014 and its performance is faultless; the car has been regularly maintained and serviced over the years. Brakes and differential pump have also been rebuilt.
It also looks the part, with original rally-inspired lines and paintwork barely showing its age; the interior is completely original, bar the upgraded stereo, with the expected Recaro seats, Momo leather steering wheel, gearknob and even (rare) floormats. The lightweight OZ wheels are shod in Toyo Proxes tyres, and were refurbished in 2018.
Sold as a project, the prototype may require intervention to address rust in the rear chassis rails and front panel as well as boot floor, but it comes with OEM replacement chassis rails and front panel, parts which are now impossible to obtain new from Mitsubishi and which are, therefore, priceless.
“Whether bought for the immense fun it is bound to deliver, or as an investment with its obvious, great potential, this unique Evo VI, kept ‘standard’ since its inception, is clearly an appetising temptation for any serious collector, and we are delighted to be its selling platform of choice,” says Car & Classic Head of Editorial Chris Pollitt.