If the late 1990s and early 2000s were the peak of the best Japanese cars being imported from their homeland, it’s now a trend that’s endured more than a quarter of a century. Still continues to this day, of course, with cars never offered over here still coveted. Or, as is becoming more and more popular, seeking out the finest examples from Japan that aren’t necessarily Japanese - but are better kept right hand drive cars than we ever see.
Mention ‘Mitsubishi’ and ‘JDM’ together and ‘Evo’ is the obvious association; it was the brand’s halo model for so long, and if you wanted the craziest examples you had to get a car from Japan. The Pajero Evo must rank as another icon kept for home customers. But you’d probably get through a few Colts, Galants and maybe even Space Stars before thinking about a Starion as a prized Japanese Mitsubishi to import. Yet here we are, with this stunner: a last-of-the-line 1989 GSR widebody, complete with the turbo 2.6.
There are a couple of reasons why the Starion imports haven’t flooded our shores over the years. The first and most obvious is that they were sold here during the 1980s; they weren’t so much forbidden fruit as forgotten fruit. A brawny, rear-drive, muscular coupe to take on the Ford Capri, the Starion was probably just a little mistimed, arriving as enthusiasts were making the move over to hot hatches. The howmanyleft numbers almost 40 years on barely need all your digits.
The ‘Star of Arion’ (yep, really) coupe was notable back in the 80s for offering a widebody option from the factory and featuring electronic fuel injection for its turbocharged engines. No small achievement given carbs were still common back then. But even with the tech, design and some motorsport success, the Starion was very seldom seen in the UK. Back then, and now, something like a Porsche 944 or Toyota Supra would be much more common.
Which makes this one all the more interesting. Because as well as being a range topping 2.6-litre GSR, complete with 175hp and the widebody, it’s covered just 13,837 miles since 1989. That’d be a low number for a Ferrari Testrossa of the era, let alone a relatively humble Mitsubishi coupe. It’s been with one Japanese owner for that entire time, too. Again, when does that ever happen?
So it presents as an absolutely glorious step back in time now, complete with pop up lamps, orange instruments and some exceptionally 80s sports seats. Its condition is better than some cars from 2019, let alone 30 years prior to that. So while the target market for a super Starion might be smaller than ever, it’s impossible not to be cheered by such a lovely example. Just be prepared to pay very good Evo money for one.
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