“Mitsubishi 500 and Type 100 Command Reconnaissance Plane”
The Mitsubishi 500 was the first passenger car mass-produced by Mitsubishi. It was created in 1959 with the aim of becoming a “national car” based on the company’s experience in aircraft manufacturing. During its development, Japan’s first automobile wind tunnel test was conducted. The Type 100 command reconnaissance plane was designed during the war by Tomio Kubo, former president of Mitsubishi Motors Corporation. (Woodblock print commemorating the 30th anniversary of the Mitsubishi 500, produced in 1989) Tetsuaki Makita
“Mitsubishi 500 at Macau Grand Prix”
Mitsubishi first attempted an overseas race at the Macau Grand Prix in 1962. The Mitsubishi 500 swept the first four places in the 750cc and under class. This victory was an opportunity to show the superior technical capabilities of Mitsubishi cars to the rest of the world. (Commemorative woodblock print of the “Mitsubishi 500 Owners Club,” produced in 1995) Tetsuaki Makita
” Rush to Rough Roads”
The Mitsubishi Lancer was born in 1973, and the Lancer 1600GSR made a spectacular debut at the 8th Southern Cross Rally held in Australia that year, sweeping first through fourth places. This was where Lancer’s rally history began. Andrew Cowan, the winner of the rally, remained active for a long time afterwards and became the head of Mitsubishi’s rally team. (1984 Ralliart callender, woodblock print) Tetsuaki Makita
”Safari rally 1974”
This car made its WRC (World Rally Championship) debut in 1974 at the Safari Rally held in Kenya, Africa.The Safari Rally was a grueling rally that was four times longer than the WRC today, covering a total distance of 6,000 km in five days, and was called the “Car Breaker Rally. Tetsuaki Makita
” Surrounded by galleries”
The Lancer EX2000 Turbo competed in the 1982 1000 Lakes Rally in Finland. The driver was local driver Pentti Ailikkala, who finished 3rd. Nestled among forests and lakes, this rally is one of the super high-speed events in the WRC, and is famous as a rally where local drivers show their strength. (1984 Ralliart callender, woodblock print) Tetsuaki Makita
“Running through the forests”
Swedish driver Anders Kullang’s Lancer EX2000 Turbo competed in the 1982 Lombard RAC Rally. The Lancer EX2000 Turbo, which had replaced the Lancer 1600GSR the previous year, did not achieve any significant results, and this rally was its last. Mitsubishi would then move on to develop the Starion 4WD. (1984 Ralliart callender, woodblock print) Tetsuaki Makita
「First appearance Pajero」
In 1983, in its first appearance in the 5th Dakar Rally, the Pajero took 1st and 2nd places in the unmodified 4WD production car category. It also competed evenly with prototype vehicles and placed 11th and 14th overall, winning the Best Team Award. The eyes of the world were focused on this unknown vehicle just after its launch. (oil painting P20) Tetsuaki Makita
”Pajero No. 191 and MU-2”
In 1984, the Pajero achieved a 1-2 finish in the modified production car class of the 6th Dakar Rally. Number 191 was driven by Andrew Cowan, the winner. (1984 Ralliart callender, oil painting P20) Tetsuaki Makita
” Pajero No. 192 by Hubert Rigal”
Hubert Rigal’s Pajero, which finished 2nd in its class behind Andrew Cowan in the 1984 Dakar Rally. (1984 Ralliart callender, oil painting P20) Tetsuaki Makita
”Nicole Metro and Pajero No. 247”
In the 6th Paris-Dakar Rally in 1984, a private women’s team, Nicole Metro (France), challenged the unmodified production car class with a Pajero equipped with a 2.3-liter diesel turbo engine. The team won the class, the marathon class, and the women’s class to win the triple crown. (1984 Ralliart callender, oil painting P20) Tetsuaki Makita
”Pajero No. 191 driven by Andrew Cowan”
Andrew Cowan won the third place overall and the first place in the modified production car class in the 1984 Dakar Rally with Pajero. (1984 Ralliart callender, oil painting P20) Tetsuaki Makita
”No. 191 Pajero at camp”
The 1984 Dakar Rally was a grueling course setting with a finish rate of about 35%, but the Pajero successfully demonstrated its drivability and durability. (1984 Ralliart callender, oil painting P20) Tetsuaki Makita