I had both a silver '85 Colt sedan and a red '90 TP Magna GLX sedan. The Colt had snappy, instant power when you pressed the go pedal. The 1-6 Saturn engine was great for that model. The 2-6 Astron carby four in the Magna was ok, but air, steer, auto and ULP meant it was significantly slower than the first leaded TM's, which performed wonderfully. My TP had a grey interior as I couldn't stand the brown, blue or burgandy colours also on offer. I really wish we still had manufacturing in this country, it was good for the local community and economy. One of my favourite looking locally made cars of all time was the first Sigma in the high level SE variant with the colour coded wheelcovers and stylish looking front. I was nine when it came out, and was mesmerised by it. I regret never having had a Valiant:- one of those should have been my first car. At least dad had one for a few years:- a white VC wagon.
WOW! I grew up wanting to eventually purchase a MITSUBISHI SCORPION sports car, but I was far too young to do so. I am very disappointed that MITSUBISHI left car manufacturing in Australia in no doubt a Japanese business decision. However, I am very proud that MITSUBSHI sold world class cars to the world that were manufactured in Australia. Thanks so much for creating and posting, this has brought back many memories for me :) DM.
No, it would be too depressing. LOL we look at all the industry Western industrial Giants greed of a few has cost us by selling out to the Chinese. It is heartbreaking-in the western world, we mostly make nothing and own nothing
I think my CM was produced in may 1981, I have owned it for 2 and half years, its just a hobby really not my main car, it still has the ELB fitted and its pretty good on fuel really for the size of it. I use to own a CM back in the late 80's also, it was good on fuel about 30mpg on a trip. I also have a KR Verada and a TS Magna Adavance. Thanks so much for getting back to me so fast, cheers dean Bathurst NSW
South Australian Pride! Shame they aren't an Australian Pride. Aussie car industry is dead... Ford is screwed and Holden are mainly rebadged Daewoo cars... so yeah, sad times. If you love your Aussie built Mitsubishi, regardless of what the rest of Australia thinks, Great! Enjoy what makes you feel proud to be a South Aussie!
All these years later I still think if they kept the 380 name as Magna sales would have been better. Magna had proven it's place as reliable. performance and quality.
I got a school holiday casual job working for my uncle Serge who was the chief engineer in the boiler house at Chrysler Lonsdale in the mid 70s. Thought I was the bees knees catching the bus to and from work everyday in my pale blue overalls with Chrysler across the back. Bought my first car a Charger when I turned 18.drove dads ap5 up till then... Happy days
I like how at the end of the production of these final Aussie cars they made these documentaries where they tell the stories of the plants and the people involved in it
australia used to be the lucky country self sufficient thriving companys and employment opportunities,even during the wars the car companys could turn out planes,tanks etc,unfortunately now all major producers been sold out to these one world or der overseas occ ult glo bal ist.
My father was recruited from the army to set up the production line and work out the time management for the planes made at tonsly park back in the day and went on to work for Chrysler until his retirement in 1980 when Mitsubishi took over. His office was the 2nd window in on the top floor of the 2nd building heading south along south road. I look and reminisce every time i drive that way. He also drove a different model home for the weekend often and the family would all go for a spin around the block fantastic memories and awsome cars. That pink and black show charger he had for the cycling òlympic trials at edwardstown veledrome was a knockout and i remember going through the hills at norton summit hangin on for dear life.
I used to work as a valet thrashing anywhere up to 50 cars a day - all makes & models. One of my faivourite cars to drive was the mits 380, so quick & nimble, large yet light, handled great all round good package much more pleasant drive than commodore / falcon. I wanted to buy one brand new before they were discontinued but had other priorities at the time so was unable to - dammit!
We can thank the L. I. M. A Declaration and the Button plan for our car manufacturers leaving Australia. Government selling out our jobs overseas. I still have my e38, and I'll hang onto it until I die.
it was sad to lose the TP Grand tourer being a limited edition, But it was replaced by a 1995 KS Verada V6Ei in June 2009 which I bought off my old neighbours who bought it new in december 1995, But it got to costly unfortunatly it blew 2x auto gearboxes in 3 months and the 2nd let go 420km from home so a mate bought it for $500 to cover the 11 months rego, So I now proudly own a 2001 TJ Magna Advance wagon converted to a 5sp manual with the TJ VR- X series 2 mags, Front bumper and side skirts
I know the feeling. I had a TR model for 15yrs until it just died. The computer went which shut down the injectors and would have cost alot more to fix than it was worth. It sat on the front lawn for nearly six months before I could bring myself to call the scrap metal dealer.
Oh yes MOST definately! I remember fitting seatbelts fuel tanks bumper bars and all sorts back then, I was at Tonsley Park from 1974 to 1980 (note: a stockpile of the CM model was built up in late 80 and not sold till 81 onwards.) I moved late 1980 to Lonsdale Mitsubishi to be closer to home. You're car is a rather heavy model for the time because weight wasn't a large consideration because fuel was cheap. You've converted to gas I'd imagine. Cheers!
unfortunatly My little Tp Magna Grand tourer I had has sadly passed away with a total of 603,000km on the clock (T-boned by a drunk driver on good Friday 2009) and the insurance Co wouldnt repair it due to it's age and it was classed as a statutory Write off because of th eamount of damage it had been in the family for 18 years never missed a beat, I am now on the hunt for another TP Magna (preferably a GT) RIP 1990 -2009
WOW 3 years on I stumble across this clip again, A LOT has changed in 3 years still have the KS Verada though gave the TP Magna Elite to my sister who got her P's, But a 1994 TR Magna Wagon SE variant was rescued from a wreckers well the rear half which was good and turnt into a trailer complianced and rego'd in NSW yes you read right I turnt the rear half from the B pillers back of a Magna wagon into a trailer and the side doors still open it tows fantasitc at 120kp/h behind the Verada
very underated car, funny you should say that about ford/holden, if it had one of those badges one be looked at different, We have a 02 sport 5 speed and 00 pajero, love em both, goes like a shower
I worked there from 1993 to 1996 in the underbody sealing dept.Left just before the new model came out with the diamond type taillights.Was it a TJ? Anyway any of the underbody crew out there.....
Almost 15 years later and I just have to leave this comment. As a Canadian who lives only a city away from where Chrysler builds the Challenger, Charger, and 300, with their big HEMI V8’s, I find it hilarious how Chrysler went from building big muscle cars in Australia to becoming Mitsubishi building clever, small, econoboxes. Imagine if the Brampton plant in Canada today was like ‘nah, forget the Hellcats, lets build Mitsu Mirages instead’😂😂😂
They went from building large cars to building cars that were renowned for poor reliability, a company I worked for in the 80's used the 4cyl Mitsubishi Japan made cars Chrysler was rebadging that Chrysler Australia were selling then, my local manager would tell me about how many of these cars had failed for the company and tell me how he managed to get home after his car starting to overheat and fail, Mitsubishi Australia made some woeful cars, at least that was the general belief, perhaps those who purchased them failed to maintain them, however, I purchased a 1999 model Magna from an old guy who had serviced it according to the handbook it had dome 90k kilometres, it used large amounts of oil and had poor compression, which was a common outcome of the offerings made in Australia and still to recent time (2011) Mitsubishi Japan has had the record of the highest percentage of motors replaced under warranty of any brand worldwide.
I'm a typical 23 year old Male I love Cars and that Love the Odd Hoon on a track, but there's just something about The Australian Line of Mitsubishi's That I love, They Seem Complete and well rounded, but my Verada aint shy for power (213 BHP 157kw from a 3.0 it's been tuned) but the elite is the standard 98kw 124BHP, My verdada is a 95 compared to mum EL 98 falcon and the 89 TP Elite apart from the air bag and ABS in the Falcon the TP Elite has more options and Gear and weighs 400kg less
Would love to see more on Chrysler, if anyone knows about video or pictures on websites from the 1920's - 30's 40's and 50's from Dodge / Fargo in Australia, please let me know where to find it. I would love to see more
Sad to hear the news Adam as they dont build cars as good or as stylish as they did back in the 80's Although the current generation of Lancers are not that bad looking.
Now have a 95 KS Verada sedan V6 EI and a 1989 TP Magna Elite with the Elante Body Kit on it (still with the 2 tone factory paint in metalic dark / gun metal grey and crystal silver) You'll literally have to kill me before I get rid of My Mitsubishi's if ford or holden offered me a freeby HSV or FPV I'd say nup and gracefully drive away in the Verada or Elite
I remember when our car was half the cost of our house. Home 9,500. Car 4,000. Today comparison. Same home 600,000. Similar car 25,000. Get car makers to build homes ffs
@defrancotv It didnt come out of My insurance (NRMA) as it wasnt my fault, But it came out of the Drunks insurance (AAMI) AAMI were going to Give me $500 for it But I threw a hissy and said it's a Rarer Version being the Grand Tourer #533 of 1000 from 1990 they checked it out and it checked out so they gave me $2000 for it which was my agreed value with NRMA
$2000 Bought the Verada for $1500 and The TP Elite for $500 (the Verada is the Daily Driver the Elite is a registerd Project car)
hey I have the 1990 TP Mitsubishi Magna grand tourer the one mitsubishi released as an aniversiry edition to celebrate 10 years in Australia it's done 530,000km and only on it's second motor of 20,000km (mum bought it new in 1990 her first new car she bought a falcon in 2003 and the magna was off the road for 2 years utill I got My licence and had a new motor dropped in) I'd rather push my mitsubishi then drive a holden or ford
Yeah I'm cool but the car aint (I loved that car majorly evan though it was old and High KM'd) it handled like New, it woulda had to have the left rear quarter back door boot lid rear window and a new suspenstion strut and paint ($4700 worth) So it went to heaven sadest day of my life baisically it's like loosing one of the family
Sorry to say, but the reason why Mitsubishi closed was poor reliability of the cars... Ive had 1st and 2nd generation Magna and they were crap. It was not until I bought Japanese made galant gsr that I was in love with Mitsubishi again....
I remember whence Chrysler becumm misubishi all the australian got angry becase Japan asian were take over just after White australian policies stoppéd , good timé 👍👍🍻
Hi ,I worked at mmal for 18.5 years ,my first job was working on the trim line , fitting windscreens and rear windows and also fitting door trims and headlights.then I moved over to doors off area,fitting mirrors ,and door glass ect.i made a lot of good friends there ,and it was a great place to work.i left in 2006 .Brenton THOROGOOD.
I had both a silver '85 Colt sedan and a red '90 TP Magna GLX sedan. The Colt had snappy, instant power when you pressed the go pedal. The 1-6 Saturn engine was great for that model. The 2-6 Astron carby four in the Magna was ok, but air, steer, auto and ULP meant it was significantly slower than the first leaded TM's, which performed wonderfully. My TP had a grey interior as I couldn't stand the brown, blue or burgandy colours also on offer. I really wish we still had manufacturing in this country, it was good for the local community and economy.
One of my favourite looking locally made cars of all time was the first Sigma in the high level SE variant with the colour coded wheelcovers and stylish looking front. I was nine when it came out, and was mesmerised by it.
I regret never having had a Valiant:- one of those should have been my first car. At least dad had one for a few years:- a white VC wagon.
I had 31 years at Chrysler/Mitsubishi, it will be sadly missed!
WOW! I grew up wanting to eventually purchase a MITSUBISHI SCORPION sports car, but I was far too young to do so. I am very disappointed that MITSUBISHI left car manufacturing in Australia in no doubt a Japanese business decision. However, I am very proud that MITSUBSHI sold world class cars to the world that were manufactured in Australia. Thanks so much for creating and posting, this has brought back many memories for me :) DM.
They should do this show for all industry lost in south australia.
No, it would be too depressing. LOL we look at all the industry Western industrial Giants greed of a few has cost us by selling out to the Chinese. It is heartbreaking-in the western world, we mostly make nothing and own nothing
I think my CM was produced in may 1981, I have owned it for 2 and half years, its just a hobby really not my main car, it still has the ELB fitted and its pretty good on fuel really for the size of it. I use to own a CM back in the late 80's also, it was good on fuel about 30mpg on a trip. I also have a KR Verada and a TS Magna Adavance. Thanks so much for getting back to me so fast, cheers dean Bathurst NSW
South Australian Pride! Shame they aren't an Australian Pride.
Aussie car industry is dead... Ford is screwed and Holden are mainly rebadged Daewoo cars... so yeah, sad times.
If you love your Aussie built Mitsubishi, regardless of what the rest of Australia thinks, Great! Enjoy what makes you feel proud to be a South Aussie!
All these years later I still think if they kept the 380 name as Magna sales would have been better. Magna had proven it's place as reliable. performance and quality.
I got a school holiday casual job working for my uncle Serge who was the chief engineer in the boiler house at Chrysler Lonsdale in the mid 70s. Thought I was the bees knees catching the bus to and from work everyday in my pale blue overalls with Chrysler across the back. Bought my first car a Charger when I turned 18.drove dads ap5 up till then... Happy days
Really liked this production. Thank you.
I like how at the end of the production of these final Aussie cars they made these documentaries where they tell the stories of the plants and the people involved in it
australia used to be the lucky country self sufficient thriving companys and employment opportunities,even during the wars the car companys could turn out planes,tanks etc,unfortunately now all major producers been sold out to these one world or der overseas occ ult glo bal ist.
My father was recruited from the army to set up the production line and work out the time management for the planes made at tonsly park back in the day and went on to work for Chrysler until his retirement in 1980 when Mitsubishi took over. His office was the 2nd window in on the top floor of the 2nd building heading south along south road. I look and reminisce every time i drive that way. He also drove a different model home for the weekend often and the family would all go for a spin around the block fantastic memories and awsome cars. That pink and black show charger he had for the cycling òlympic trials at edwardstown veledrome was a knockout and i remember going through the hills at norton summit hangin on for dear life.
You are right mate , exactly what you said is the truth.
definitaly a very underated car, im sure if it had a ford or holden badge on it would have been thought of differently. much like the late valiants
I used to work as a valet thrashing anywhere up to 50 cars a day - all makes & models. One of my faivourite cars to drive was the mits 380, so quick & nimble, large yet light, handled great all round good package much more pleasant drive than commodore / falcon. I wanted to buy one brand new before they were discontinued but had other priorities at the time so was unable to - dammit!
agreed. of all the fleet specials type cars from back when car manufacturing existed in AUS the 380 is the one i liked best
We can thank the L. I. M. A Declaration and the Button plan for our car manufacturers leaving Australia. Government selling out our jobs overseas. I still have my e38, and I'll hang onto it until I die.
Market changed , people want SUVs.
Still miss the valiants, best ever
it was sad to lose the TP Grand tourer being a limited edition, But it was replaced by a 1995 KS Verada V6Ei in June 2009 which I bought off my old neighbours who bought it new in december 1995, But it got to costly unfortunatly it blew 2x auto gearboxes in 3 months and the 2nd let go 420km from home so a mate bought it for $500 to cover the 11 months rego, So I now proudly own a 2001 TJ Magna Advance wagon converted to a 5sp manual with the TJ VR- X series 2 mags, Front bumper and side skirts
I know the feeling. I had a TR model for 15yrs until it just died. The computer went which shut down the injectors and would have cost alot more to fix than it was worth. It sat on the front lawn for nearly six months before I could bring myself to call the scrap metal dealer.
Oh yes MOST definately! I remember fitting seatbelts fuel tanks bumper bars and all sorts back then, I was at Tonsley Park from 1974 to 1980 (note: a stockpile of the CM model was built up in late 80 and not sold till 81 onwards.) I moved late 1980 to Lonsdale Mitsubishi to be closer to home. You're car is a rather heavy model for the time because weight wasn't a large consideration because fuel was cheap. You've converted to gas I'd imagine. Cheers!
Good man. I just bought a 380, pick it up next week. Can't wait. Cheers!
Have you still got your 380?
'89-'06. Spray booth. I had a feeling Carol would be in this.
unfortunatly My little Tp Magna Grand tourer I had has sadly passed away with a total of 603,000km on the clock (T-boned by a drunk driver on good Friday 2009) and the insurance Co wouldnt repair it due to it's age and it was classed as a statutory Write off because of th eamount of damage it had been in the family for 18 years never missed a beat, I am now on the hunt for another TP Magna (preferably a GT)
RIP 1990 -2009
WOW 3 years on I stumble across this clip again, A LOT has changed in 3 years still have the KS Verada though gave the TP Magna Elite to my sister who got her P's, But a 1994 TR Magna Wagon SE variant was rescued from a wreckers well the rear half which was good and turnt into a trailer complianced and rego'd in NSW yes you read right I turnt the rear half from the B pillers back of a Magna wagon into a trailer and the side doors still open it tows fantasitc at 120kp/h behind the Verada
well theres a few sayings but the most relevant one I like is
DIAMANDS ARE FOREVER
and on the front of every mitsubishi you have 3 of them
whats with the trumpet music?
very underated car, funny you should say that about ford/holden, if it had one of those badges one be looked at different, We have a 02 sport 5 speed and 00 pajero, love em both, goes like a shower
I worked there from 1993 to 1996 in the underbody sealing dept.Left just before the new model came out with the diamond type taillights.Was it a TJ?
Anyway any of the underbody crew out there.....
I own a 81 CM, did you have a part in the production of the CM?
Almost 15 years later and I just have to leave this comment. As a Canadian who lives only a city away from where Chrysler builds the Challenger, Charger, and 300, with their big HEMI V8’s, I find it hilarious how Chrysler went from building big muscle cars in Australia to becoming Mitsubishi building clever, small, econoboxes. Imagine if the Brampton plant in Canada today was like ‘nah, forget the Hellcats, lets build Mitsu Mirages instead’😂😂😂
Instead they be building EV in the near future, that's worse imo.
They went from building large cars to building cars that were renowned for poor reliability, a company I worked for in the 80's used the 4cyl Mitsubishi Japan made cars Chrysler was rebadging that Chrysler Australia were selling then, my local manager would tell me about how many of these cars had failed for the company and tell me how he managed to get home after his car starting to overheat and fail, Mitsubishi Australia made some woeful cars, at least that was the general belief, perhaps those who purchased them failed to maintain them, however, I purchased a 1999 model Magna from an old guy who had serviced it according to the handbook it had dome 90k kilometres, it used large amounts of oil and had poor compression, which was a common outcome of the offerings made in Australia and still to recent time (2011) Mitsubishi Japan has had the record of the highest percentage of motors replaced under warranty of any brand worldwide.
I'm a typical 23 year old Male I love Cars and that Love the Odd Hoon on a track, but there's just something about The Australian Line of Mitsubishi's That I love, They Seem Complete and well rounded, but my Verada aint shy for power (213 BHP 157kw from a 3.0 it's been tuned) but the elite is the standard 98kw 124BHP, My verdada is a 95 compared to mum EL 98 falcon and the 89 TP Elite apart from the air bag and ABS in the Falcon the TP Elite has more options and Gear and weighs 400kg less
First product Mitsubishi in Australia 19/2/1942
The Zero
forgot to mention I only got rid of the KS Verada janurary 2013
Cool Video.
Would love to see more on Chrysler, if anyone knows about video or pictures on websites from the 1920's - 30's 40's and 50's from Dodge / Fargo in Australia, please let me know where to find it. I would love to see more
Sad to hear the news Adam as they dont build cars as good or as stylish as they did back in the 80's
Although the current generation of Lancers are not that bad looking.
Thanks to the Hawke Keating governments who dropped the tariffs and ultimately destroyed the Australian car manufacturing industry.
Yep - Senator Button.
ozrichard70.. how did they, i missed that. I thought just went under
no more eclipse, 3000gt, starion, diamante, and word of discontinuing the evo. why mitsubishi?
Do hardys next
Real term of life.as I seen walks like everybody else.
Now have a 95 KS Verada sedan V6 EI and a 1989 TP Magna Elite with the Elante Body Kit on it (still with the 2 tone factory paint in metalic dark / gun metal grey and crystal silver) You'll literally have to kill me before I get rid of My Mitsubishi's if ford or holden offered me a freeby HSV or FPV I'd say nup and gracefully drive away in the Verada or Elite
That's a GD one.advent aircond.
The rust buxket era ...none survièd
I remember when our car was half the cost of our house. Home 9,500. Car 4,000.
Today comparison.
Same home 600,000. Similar car 25,000. Get car makers to build homes ffs
I bought a Chrysler Sigma for $300
@defrancotv It didnt come out of My insurance (NRMA) as it wasnt my fault, But it came out of the Drunks insurance (AAMI)
AAMI were going to Give me $500 for it But I threw a hissy and said it's a Rarer Version being the Grand Tourer #533 of 1000 from 1990 they checked it out and it checked out so they gave me $2000 for it which was my agreed value with NRMA
$2000 Bought the Verada for $1500 and The TP Elite for $500 (the Verada is the Daily Driver the Elite is a registerd Project car)
hey I have the 1990 TP Mitsubishi Magna grand tourer the one mitsubishi released as an aniversiry edition to celebrate 10 years in Australia it's done 530,000km and only on it's second motor of 20,000km (mum bought it new in 1990 her first new car she bought a falcon in 2003 and the magna was off the road for 2 years utill I got My licence and had a new motor dropped in) I'd rather push my mitsubishi then drive a holden or ford
Cool Comment.
lol quality they say , The Magna was the biggest heap of junk ever released they got it right at the end but it took them 20 years . Too late .
sell this car in south east asia.
And simple as knowledge tree.for instance stand in of front of a church and realise summit.
Ratio class shown.Aust,as real deal.ask Aust merit
Mitsubishi is not doing good on sales :(
Yeah I'm cool but the car aint (I loved that car majorly evan though it was old and High KM'd) it handled like New, it woulda had to have the left rear quarter back door boot lid rear window and a new suspenstion strut and paint ($4700 worth) So it went to heaven sadest day of my life baisically it's like loosing one of the family
Sorry to say, but the reason why Mitsubishi closed was poor reliability of the cars... Ive had 1st and 2nd generation Magna and they were crap. It was not until I bought Japanese made galant gsr that I was in love with Mitsubishi again....
I remember whence Chrysler becumm misubishi all the australian got angry becase Japan asian were take over just after White australian policies stoppéd , good timé 👍👍🍻
Mitsubishi, the worst Japanese automaker these days
Hi ,I worked at mmal for 18.5 years ,my first job was working on the trim line , fitting windscreens and rear windows and also fitting door trims and headlights.then I moved over to doors off area,fitting mirrors ,and door glass ect.i made a lot of good friends there ,and it was a great place to work.i left in 2006 .Brenton THOROGOOD.
Still drive a 77 v8 regal se , best car I've ever driven and owned. New cars just suck.
hahahahahahaha. the cheapasses.