In Australia back then these were sold as the Chrysler Lancer. The larger Gallant was also sold under the Chrysler name. This continued even after in 1978, the Gallant became the Sigma. In the eighties all of the range was sold under the Mitsubishi name. They were very popular cars in Australia, and very successful worldwide in rallies. The Colt name appeared in Australia on a five door hatchback, the Mitsubishi Colt, which had a four speed manual transmission. However, it had two ranges, so effectively it was an eight speed transmission! Amazing for the eighties. My youngest brother owned one of those.
Those squares ( inserts ) in the mk2 model became spot lights later on. Incidentally, in NZ, the side lights were clear plastic ( lens ) whilst the indicators remained amber 😮 The blue colour was very popular worldwide 🌐 💙, probably C.B.U ( completely-built-up ). The NZ models early on came with a humble 4 cylinder with displacement of misely 1238cc, apart from the stated 1400cc / 1600cc in northern hemisphere territories 😮 In 2006 the Lancer & Galant became the same car known as the model CY ( sedan ), the CX ( estate ). The other model CZ, was the Evo ( Evolution ) / FQ440. Thanks for taking the time with your comprehensive review of the 1974 Lancer. ❤
Really nice design. Note the chrome "cross hairs" on the front grille. Lovely little details.🙂 There used to be a silver Colt Lancer like this parked in the front garden of a house on the estate where I lived. This would have been the 1990s and 2000s. I think it was a T registration so 1978 or 1979.
Thanks, for the brilliant broucher review) I can't recall seeing such a early model in the UK) however I do, remember My late grandad's brother, buying a brand new mitsubishi GLX 1400: in 1980. It was very technicaly" advanced it had a super shift" gearbox, it's effectively 8 forward gears" economy & performance " mode) i remember he owned it for over 10+years) until the early 1990's) he also owned a Mitsubishi Van around the same time. I also remember a family friend owning a large orange mitsubishi possibly a early" Gallant or the equivalent of ) it was M reg 1973/74/ and this was in 1989/90 so it was a old car by then.
Indeed interesting to see these 70's Japanese cars in detail as I didn't know much about them as a small kid in the 70's, actually wasn't even born yet when these brochures were published, but I recall seeing some of these Lancers in late 70's - early 80's, as the front grille is quite distinctive design. For some reason didn't remember those tail lights, even they look pretty unique as well. Pretty good power for 1,4 litre engine, and they considered even emissions and safety as well, already in 1974. Sounds something which could be from todays brochure :) I only have Mitsubishi Lancer 2003 sedan brochure myself, used to have previous generations too from 1984 onwards.
I think in terms of performance, economy, build quality and value for money these were good cars. My best friend's Dad had one. Such was Jeremy's enthusiasm for this car he got me to take an interest in cars. So there you are! Thank Jeremy and his Dad that you got my company!
A few years ago, HubNut road-tested a rather awesome yellow 1977 Lancer rally car, that was really fast and sounded incredible. In the early 1980s, the UK-sold Colt was a 5-door supermini with 4 dual-range gears, so in effect it had an 8 speed gearbox.
I do like Japanese cars from the 70s, they are really nicely styled and were so much more reliable and well-equipped than British-built cars. Compare this to a Marina 1300 or a Vauxhall Viva 1300 and you would definitely buy this on standard equipment. I cant wait for more in this series.
I remember these well, I liked the styling of this range of cars and I put them on par with Hondas and Mazdas of that era. It's a shame that not many have been preserved although I was pleased to see a newly formed Colt Car Club represented at this year's Classic Car Show at the NEC.
My dad had a Lancer of this generation (badged as Chrysler in Australia) in yellow. He ended up replacing it as it kept getting ran into! I had heard that Mitsubishi was initally hesitant to use the name in the west due to associations with the Mitsubishi Zero fighter used in WWII.
Mad! I have one. Released in Oz in Sept '74 (LA Model), in 2 models, a base 2 door EL and a well equipped 4 dr GL. The only option was auto in the 4 dr only. When released the Lancer was the fastest sub 1.6 L, 4 dr, rear wheel drive, piston engined car in Oz; the exception coming from it's own stable. The '71 1289cc Galant was a ripper with performance from a class above (Corona, Capella, Datsun 1600). The only real flaw of my Lancer is dreadful wet weather grip; ice skates are better, regardless of tyres. In Oz they came standard with Cross Ply tyres. Ugh! More expensive than rivals such as the Mazda 1300/808 and Datsun 120Y (Why?) but they were better equipped with (as you show) adjustable steering. Mine also has a full centre console, grab handles above all passenger doors and full armrests on all doors. The heater blasts boiling air (yes it gets below freezing in Oz). Given the performance it's a shame the clock wasn't a tacho. The back seat is very cramped as the seat is low to compensate for the very low roof line so knees are up and it's very hard to get in and out of the back. Initially with import quotas, they didn't sell as well as rivals and when quotas were lifted with the LB in '77, cars like the Gemini (it's main rival), had a strong foot hold. The torque is staggering, most noticeable on hills when a down change simply isn't necessary. By 4,000 rpm though, it's all over. The low centre of gravity gives it a "hunkered down" feel, brilliant in cross winds. Even as an auto, a transmission you would normally avoid in such a car, was great. 92 bhp was WAY above competitors, and the car weighs only 830 kgs. Australian versions have bonnet louvres. The Lancer, driven by Scot Andrew Cowan, WON the grueling Southern Cross Rally for SEVERAL years! One of the best small cars of the 70's. You've made my bloody night Mate. Bonza! Best bloody thing on the internet!
I learned to drive in my dad's colt galant 2000gls so looking forward to that one. Even more interesting if you had the turbo brochures, I remember trying to talk my dad into getting the galant turbo but he wasn't up for the extra 2 grand or whatever it was at the time. My second car was a '78 sigma, the older version of the galant, not sure if the one in your photo was a different market version? As far as i knew the galant name only came in 1980 when the newer shape came out (rectangular headlights instead of round ones) after the sigma I got a lancer 1600gsr (the newer version from the one you featured, an 82 x reg) and not long afterwards my first of many mitsubish starions. The colt/ mitsubishis never sold as well as Toyota or datsun/ Nissan for some reason, I always thought they were more interesting and better looking cars. I remember they were offering a turbo version of every model in the range in 1982 when turbocharging was still a very rare thing.
Wow thats a hot little 1. 4 litre engine for 1974. ! British 1 .3s were only giving 60 ish bhp at this time.
In Australia back then these were sold as the Chrysler Lancer. The larger Gallant was also sold under the Chrysler name. This continued even after in 1978, the Gallant became the Sigma. In the eighties all of the range was sold under the Mitsubishi name. They were very popular cars in Australia, and very successful worldwide in rallies. The Colt name appeared in Australia on a five door hatchback, the Mitsubishi Colt, which had a four speed manual transmission. However, it had two ranges, so effectively it was an eight speed transmission! Amazing for the eighties. My youngest brother owned one of those.
Those squares ( inserts ) in the mk2 model became spot lights later on.
Incidentally, in NZ, the side lights were clear plastic ( lens ) whilst the indicators remained amber 😮
The blue colour was very popular worldwide 🌐 💙, probably C.B.U ( completely-built-up ).
The NZ models early on came with a humble 4 cylinder with displacement of misely 1238cc, apart from the stated 1400cc / 1600cc in northern hemisphere territories 😮
In 2006 the Lancer & Galant became the same car known as the model CY ( sedan ), the CX ( estate ).
The other model CZ, was the Evo ( Evolution ) / FQ440.
Thanks for taking the time with your comprehensive review of the 1974 Lancer. ❤
Thank you
A great episode thanks. I do love 70s Japanese cars! Oh those high spec wheel trims - gorgeous tin can and tinsel luxury.
Really nice design. Note the chrome "cross hairs" on the front grille. Lovely little details.🙂
There used to be a silver Colt Lancer like this parked in the front garden of a house on the estate where I lived. This would have been the 1990s and 2000s. I think it was a T registration so 1978 or 1979.
I was working at a Chrysler dealer here in Adelaide South Australia 🇦🇺 when these new and they were very nice.
Aw wonderful
Thanks, for the brilliant broucher review) I can't recall seeing such a early model in the UK) however I do, remember My late grandad's brother, buying a brand new mitsubishi GLX 1400: in 1980. It was very technicaly" advanced it had a super shift" gearbox, it's effectively 8 forward gears" economy & performance " mode) i remember he owned it for over 10+years) until the early 1990's) he also owned a Mitsubishi Van around the same time. I also remember a family friend owning a large orange mitsubishi possibly a early" Gallant or the equivalent of ) it was M reg 1973/74/ and this was in 1989/90 so it was a old car by then.
No problems glad you enjoyed the episode
Indeed interesting to see these 70's Japanese cars in detail as I didn't know much about them as a small kid in the 70's, actually wasn't even born yet when these brochures were published, but I recall seeing some of these Lancers in late 70's - early 80's, as the front grille is quite distinctive design. For some reason didn't remember those tail lights, even they look pretty unique as well.
Pretty good power for 1,4 litre engine, and they considered even emissions and safety as well, already in 1974. Sounds something which could be from todays brochure :)
I only have Mitsubishi Lancer 2003 sedan brochure myself, used to have previous generations too from 1984 onwards.
I had one back in 1988 it was a 78 model absolutely superb car i was 18 thanks for the vid
Wonderful
I think in terms of performance, economy, build quality and value for money these were good cars. My best friend's Dad had one. Such was Jeremy's enthusiasm for this car he got me to take an interest in cars. So there you are! Thank Jeremy and his Dad that you got my company!
Certainly a memorable car then and so pleased you gained that interest in cars.
A few years ago, HubNut road-tested a rather awesome yellow 1977 Lancer rally car, that was really fast and sounded incredible. In the early 1980s, the UK-sold Colt was a 5-door supermini with 4 dual-range gears, so in effect it had an 8 speed gearbox.
Interesting
Hi Stephen,
Just curious if you have the brochure for the Mitsubishi based Lonsdale that was sold in the UK in the early 80s
Aw yes I remember those - I may have…. Somewhere….
I do like Japanese cars from the 70s, they are really nicely styled and were so much more reliable and well-equipped than British-built cars. Compare this to a Marina 1300 or a Vauxhall Viva 1300 and you would definitely buy this on standard equipment. I cant wait for more in this series.
Thank you and yea a great car for those who dared buy a ‘foreign’ car
I remember these well, I liked the styling of this range of cars and I put them on par with Hondas and Mazdas of that era.
It's a shame that not many have been preserved although I was pleased to see a newly formed Colt Car Club represented at this year's Classic Car Show at the NEC.
Yes the Colt car club looked very interesting
The King of the Southern Cross Rally.
My dad had a Lancer of this generation (badged as Chrysler in Australia) in yellow. He ended up replacing it as it kept getting ran into! I had heard that Mitsubishi was initally hesitant to use the name in the west due to associations with the Mitsubishi Zero fighter used in WWII.
Aw that indeed could be a reason
Mad! I have one. Released in Oz in Sept '74 (LA Model), in 2 models, a base 2 door EL and a well equipped 4 dr GL. The only option was auto in the 4 dr only. When released the Lancer was the fastest sub 1.6 L, 4 dr, rear wheel drive, piston engined car in Oz; the exception coming from it's own stable. The '71 1289cc Galant was a ripper with performance from a class above (Corona, Capella, Datsun 1600). The only real flaw of my Lancer is dreadful wet weather grip; ice skates are better, regardless of tyres. In Oz they came standard with Cross Ply tyres. Ugh! More expensive than rivals such as the Mazda 1300/808 and Datsun 120Y (Why?) but they were better equipped with (as you show) adjustable steering. Mine also has a full centre console, grab handles above all passenger doors and full armrests on all doors. The heater blasts boiling air (yes it gets below freezing in Oz). Given the performance it's a shame the clock wasn't a tacho. The back seat is very cramped as the seat is low to compensate for the very low roof line so knees are up and it's very hard to get in and out of the back. Initially with import quotas, they didn't sell as well as rivals and when quotas were lifted with the LB in '77, cars like the Gemini (it's main rival), had a strong foot hold. The torque is staggering, most noticeable on hills when a down change simply isn't necessary. By 4,000 rpm though, it's all over. The low centre of gravity gives it a "hunkered down" feel, brilliant in cross winds. Even as an auto, a transmission you would normally avoid in such a car, was great. 92 bhp was WAY above competitors, and the car weighs only 830 kgs. Australian versions have bonnet louvres. The Lancer, driven by Scot Andrew Cowan, WON the grueling Southern Cross Rally for SEVERAL years! One of the best small cars of the 70's. You've made my bloody night Mate. Bonza! Best bloody thing on the internet!
Thank you my friend glad you enjoyed the episode and the memories it brought back.
I learned to drive in my dad's colt galant 2000gls so looking forward to that one. Even more interesting if you had the turbo brochures, I remember trying to talk my dad into getting the galant turbo but he wasn't up for the extra 2 grand or whatever it was at the time. My second car was a '78 sigma, the older version of the galant, not sure if the one in your photo was a different market version? As far as i knew the galant name only came in 1980 when the newer shape came out (rectangular headlights instead of round ones) after the sigma I got a lancer 1600gsr (the newer version from the one you featured, an 82 x reg) and not long afterwards my first of many mitsubish starions. The colt/ mitsubishis never sold as well as Toyota or datsun/ Nissan for some reason, I always thought they were more interesting and better looking cars. I remember they were offering a turbo version of every model in the range in 1982 when turbocharging was still a very rare thing.
Thank you and yes some interesting and possibly rare vehicles now in this series
No sidemirrors at all?