1995 Mitsubishi Cordia 1.8 GSR Turbo

Description

• AT AUCTION – Please click HERE
• Rare model 
• Well maintained 
• Large history folder 
• From a large collection of Mitsubishis  
• Part of a private collection 

Marketed globally as a compact coupe, the Mitsubishi Cordia hit the showrooms in 1982. Referred to by a famous automotive illustrator at the time as ‘a space coupe from 2001’, the car was well received and production ran until 1990. The Cordia was one of the first mass market cars to offer the optional extra of an LCD electronic instrument cluster. It was also the first turbocharged vehicle to be used by the Australian Police! 

Background 

This Mitsubishi Cordia 1.8 GSR Turbo hatch back coupe was imported to the UK from Australia when its owner, Mr Richard Roberts, moved here for work. First registered by DVLA on 24th November 2005, it was originally registered as new in Australia in September 1985. 

Roberts purchased the car in1993 and clearly cherished it, as he kept meticulous maintenance records. There are three separate files of work done to the car in Australia with some invoices dating back to 1992 when under earlier ownership. There is also a fourth file with paperwork concerning Mr Roberts’ ownership of the car in the UK.  

Unfortunately for Mr Roberts the car developed major electrical (engine management) problems once over here that local garages could not fix and he decided to dispose of it.  

Our vendor heard of the car’s availability and acquired B978 MWV on 31st October 2007. Being an employee of Mitsubishi Motors UK at the time, he managed to have the car repaired by some of Mitsubishi’s top technicians. Since then, the Cordia has been garaged most of the time and maintained and serviced as required. All work that the vendor has commissioned has been documented and is within a fifth file.    

The Mechanicals 

Mechanically the car appears in good order. The engine starts readily and the turbo kicks in as it should – it is a quick car! 

Recently serviced by Mitsubishi specialist Performance Autoworks in March of this year. The boost sensor was changed as it was kicking in on idle and flooding the car. Fuel pump and fuel filters were changed as were the oil, oil filter and sump gasket. 

With the service done, the car readily passed its MOT and expires 13th March 2025. 

Over time, it’s clear this Cordia has been well looked after, with much proof of that on file: 

• Main bearings were overhauled 
• Manifold, clutch, cylinder head, radiator, air con sensor, inter cooler, blow off valve were replaced prior to 2007.  
• Knock control unit and alternator were replaced in March 2021 
• The timing belt was changed in November 2016  
• Front brake calipers changed in 2016 

Under the bonnet, all is very tidy and to original specification. Mileage is around 166,000 miles, a sign of use across the vast expanses of Australia. Please note the speedo reads in kilometres. 

Outside 

The Cordia’s bodywork is very good, the owner had it tidied up professionally in April.  

The rear wheel arches’ paintwork was touched up as there was some blistering. There was also blistering on the offside front wing which must have had prior work, as when stripped of paint it was apparent that the primer had not been applied correctly. Some rust was found at the bottom of this wing behind the front valance, so it was cut out and new metal welded in. There was also an annoying crease in the near side rear wing of the car, and this has been removed. 

Following the repairs, the whole of the car’s paintwork was polished. It looks very good in attractive anthracite (described as black on the V5).  Only on careful inspection and in the right light can it be seen that some of the roof lacquer finish has degraded. Photos of the bodywork done are on file and there is a touch up paint pot. 

The car sits on rather nice gold Simmons alloy wheels (the spare is also an alloy wheel). Condition of the wheels is good but one of the plastic centre caps is scratched. All 5 tyres were replaced in December 2020. 

Glass is in good condition and has a tint film that was probably installed for the fierce sun in Australia. 

All door locks work and there is a spare set of keys. The original tool kit, jack and jack handle are still with the car. 

Inside 

Once seated in the car, that 1980’s time warp feel occurs. All gauges, dials and switches work, including the very important to watch boost sensor. Seats are in good condition apart from one small cigarette burn on the rear seat base. The front seats were recovered by the previous Australian owner and are slightly different in pattern to the rear seats. Carpets are in good order and not worn. The roof lining is good with some minor scuffing to the rear. There is also a mark on the nearside interior rear quarter panel, just below the rear window.  

As our vendor is a collector of Mitsubishis he had spares available to replace broken or missing interior trim items. A replacement centre console with a good condition leather gear gaiter has been installed, as has a new fuse box cover (both the original console and fuse box cover had damage). A missing cover for the rear-view mirror base has been fitted. Covers to provide access to the rear lights from the boot were also missing and replacements have been found. The interior is complete and good. New Alpine radio/cd player fitted with subwoofer. 

Our View 

An attractive car with a 1.8 turbo charged engine, what’s not to like! Its wedge design cuts an aggressive, sporty image that will stand out at any classic event. As interest grows in Japanese cars from the 1980s, now is an ideal time to acquire a car that’s rare and different. Happy bidding. 

Vehicle Location: Bracknell, Berkshire RG42 – it’s the responsibility of the winning bidder to make collection / transportation arrangements directly with the vendors.

Would like to arrange a viewing or have a question about this Mitsubishi Cordia 1.8 GSR Turbo? Please contact us at team@evoke-classics.com and we will speak to the vendor on your behalf.

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