Description

1992 Mitsubishi GTO Twin Turbo

Ex-show car; 5-speed manual; active aero; 4WD; 280bhp and 300lb/ft; private plate; unusually smart and unmolested example of this fast-appreciating Japanese classic

Launched in 1990, the GTO was Mitsubishi's answer to hi-tech missiles like the Nissan Skyline GT-R, Mazda RX7 and Toyota Supra. Powered by a twin turbo 3.0 V6 that officially produced 280bhp (more like 300 in reality) and 300 lb/ft of torque, it proved at least as fast as any contemporary Porsche or Ferrari, scorching to 60mph in 5.6 seconds on its way to an electronically limited top speed of 155mph.
It was packed with technical features like full time all-wheel drive, four-wheel steering, active aerodynamics, a tuneable exhaust and electronically controlled suspension. A Mk2 version came out in 1994 but this lost some of the expensive gadgets along with the wonderful pop-up headlamps of the earlier model. Sure-footed and reliable with the performance of a scalded cat, these ‘90s Japanese classics are increasingly attracting the attention of a new generation of collectors.
This 1992 GTO Mk1 Twin Turbo has the Getrag 5-speed gearbox and was imported to the UK from Japan in 2002 at which point it had 130,000 kms on the clock (80,000 miles), a total which has since risen to 165,100 kms (102,500 miles). Between 2010 and 2019 it was owned by a mature Shropshire gentleman who spent more time polishing it than driving it, covering only 3,700 miles in his 10-year ownership, mainly to display the car at shows. Inbetween times it was always kept garaged and never went out in the rain.
Our vendor acquired the car in April last year and has used it rather more regularly, clocking up in 20 months the same mileage as the last owner did in a decade. He reports that it goes very well and that the active aero still works on the rear wing although the front spoiler has been disabled because it proved too low for bumpy British B-roads. He also reports that the climate control panel no longer lights up although the heater/blowers still work as they should. While the odometer still records kms, the speedo has been converted to mph – a wise precaution on our camera-strewn roads in a car as quick as this!
Invoices show that the car had new brake discs and pads all round in 2010 (including the handbrake); a new clutch in 2014; and an uprated 320 LPH fuel pump earlier this year. All four tyres have also recently been renewed. Apart from the bucket front seats, the drainpipe exhausts and the HKS air filters and dump valve, the car appears remarkably standard and unmolested – most unusual for this model which is popular with the tuning brigade who easily tweak these cars to 400bhp+. It hides its mileage extremely well both inside and out, the only blemish of any note being some slight bubbling on the leading edge of the RH front wheel arch, as can be seen in the photos.
Supplied with an MOT until November 2021 with no advisories recorded, it comes with 13 old MOTs back to 2006 all but one (in 2010) also without advisories. An original 26-page Mitubishi 3000GT sales brochure is also present along with an owner’s handbook (in English) plus a wealth of technical literature relating to the model. The personalised B7 ETO number plate is also included in the sale.
Turbocharged Japanese sportscars from this era have leapt in value of late and we can’t help feeling that the GTO currently lags behind the curve: if you have ever fancied one, perhaps now is the time to buy…
For more information contact James on 07970 309907 or email james.dennison@brightwells.com