MITSU MUSINGS
I read with interest Glenn Torrens’ OurCars stor y in issue 436 about the greatness and race successes of early Mitsus.
In my youth, I recall seeing Cowan and a range of other drivers smashing it out with Galants and Lancers in a range of forest rallies. I even was able to crawl over some great examples of beautifully prepared Lancers in at Colt Speed in Sydney on many occasions where my brother, Bruce, worked for many years
I also spun a few spanners on Cowan’s SWB Pajeros and got to home garage a few of them at night. That was interesting driving those cars from the western suburbs to the northern beaches at night. I made sure at times that there were no cobwebs in the pipes – that’s for sure – going from Pimble to MonaVale.
As you would know Bruce also did some time in the early
“I DATED THE LADY FOR ABOUT TWO YEARS SO I COULD KEEP DRIVING IT”
Pajeros with some success. Although he was into Escorts whilst I was into Lancers.
Bruce tells me you guys are trading bits of late following on from your acquisitions and him scoring his first Finke Pajero, albeit covered in bird crap. Your yellow one looks a treat. (See Glenn’s column this issue – Ed.)
All that being said, my first car was a yellow 1974 LA Lancer (four-door). After some years I had to let it go for some reason and I sold it a beautiful young lady (my age at the time). I couldn’t bear to let it go, so I dated the lady (Vicki) for about two years, so I could keep driving it!
Anyway fast forward a million years and after many Lancers passing through my hands, I have ended up with a 1978 LB Lancer in race trim and a 1976 Galant two-door Hardtop in road trim in the stable.
The last time Glenn saw the Lancer was at Leyburn some years ago and it now sports a new livery and many mechanical improvements.
With both cars up in Brisbane, they get taken out as much as possible for speed events and cars and coffees etcetera. There is a small but very passionate cohort of old school Galant and Lancer owners I mix with and we support each other as best we can with bits and pieces, tech advice and sharing of spares.
It’s surprising that despite the great looks, the race success, ease of working on and the volumes they sold, that more aren’t up for sale. Nor has the price increased significantly. Why would you pay 12 to 15k for a Datto 1200 ute or 7k for a Morris Marina, when you can get a Galant four-door or wagon for less than 5k. Recently there was a grandpa spec green LA two-door for sale in Vic for 6k (rockin horse poo). It just doesn’t make sense.
Anyway, thanks for raising the issue in the mag. Great to finally get some real estate for the old Mitsus.
If you’re ever up for a feature story and a trip up north, I could rustle up some fine examples of Galants and Lancers in race, rally and street trim. Of particular note are the Galant two-door hardtops. There were 1300 brought into Australia: 500 in 1974, 500 in 1975 and 300 in 1976. My mate has car zero from 1974, that they used to parade around the dealerships and mine is number 168 from 1976. It was original sold in Brisbane.
David Garland ED: That’s a great offer regarding the Mitsubishi feature, David. We’ll happily take you up on that when we’re all allowed out of the house again!
SHEDMASTER SALUTE
Long time reader, first time writer. Always enjoy the articles, feature cars and pearls of wisdom from the crew.
As I actually live ver y close to UC HQ in Oakleigh I am always curious as to what lurks in your secret laborator y! Recently enjoyed the article featuring Allen Sutton and The Hydroblast Shop.
I am in the process of a rolling refurb of my VH SLE in the classic 80s cabernet over silver shadow-tone. I had a set of very crusty SLE wheels that needed some TLC and Allen did an incredible job of stripping, to millimetre perfection, 30 years of crud from them.
If it wasn’t for a small amount of pitting in the alloy, they would have been perfect with just a clear coat for protection. So the decision was made and they went to another shop mentioned in one of your past Reader’s Rides.
The task of refinishing the wheels went to David Kimpton and his crew at GAL Smash Repairs in Tullamarine. Dave was responsible for the f lawless body and paint work on a featured white over blue HR Premier.
You also featured some time back Tony Whelan of Wilson Carburettor Services. I had the pleasure of Tony rebuilding a quaddie for my VK HDT LM5000 at the time and extracting another 30plus rear wheel killerwasps from just a ‘simple carbie rebuild’.
I love that these people and businesses are getting the kudos they deserve in your salubrious publication. The preservation of our unique cars relies on craftsmen like these. So to all, keep up the excellent work!