Mitsubishi Colt Galant GTO MR
The Mitsubishi Colt Galant GTO MR was one of the most attractive Japanese sports coupes of the early 1970s, a car that drew heavily from European grand touring design while incorporating Mitsubishi's own engineering innovations. The GTO designation (Gran Turismo Omologato) was borrowed from the European racing tradition, and while Mitsubishi's use of the name was more aspirational than literal, the Galant GTO was a genuinely capable sporting machine.
The MR (Mitsubishi Racing) variant was the performance flagship of the GTO range. Powered by the Saturn engine - a 1.6-liter SOHC four-cylinder with twin Mikuni-Solex carburetors and cross-flow head design - the MR produced 125 horsepower. In a car weighing just 935 kg, this provided spirited performance that was competitive with European sports coupes costing significantly more. The engine revved freely and rewarded enthusiastic driving.
The Galant GTO's styling was its most striking feature. The fastback profile, with its ducktail rear end and clean shoulder line, showed clear influence from European design trends of the late 1960s. The long hood and short deck proportions announced the car's rear-wheel-drive layout, while the crisp body creases and minimal ornamentation gave it a purposeful, modern appearance. The overall design was among the best produced by any Japanese manufacturer during this period.
The MR was distinguished from lesser GTO variants by its twin carburetors, five-speed manual gearbox, sport-tuned suspension, and upgraded brakes with front discs. The chassis, while conventional in its layout with MacPherson struts up front and a live axle at the rear, was tuned to provide handling that rewarded skilled driving. The lightweight construction contributed to agile responses and quick direction changes.
The Galant GTO was important for establishing Mitsubishi's identity as a manufacturer of sporting vehicles. While Mitsubishi was known primarily for commercial vehicles and economy cars, the GTO demonstrated that the company could produce a desirable, performance-oriented product. This sporting credibility would later be amplified by the Starion, the Eclipse, and ultimately the Lancer Evolution.
In motorsport, the Galant GTO was campaigned in various rally and touring car events in Japan and Southeast Asia. Its compact dimensions and willing engine made it competitive on tight, technical stages, and it helped develop the rally engineering expertise that Mitsubishi would later deploy to such devastating effect with the Lancer Evolution series.
Today, the Colt Galant GTO MR is a rare and increasingly collectible piece of Japanese automotive history. Surviving examples are scarce, particularly in good condition, and the car's attractive design and historical significance have driven values upward. The GTO represents an era when Japanese manufacturers were first beginning to challenge European and American dominance of the sports car market.
The Galant GTO MR is rare enough that finding any example is challenging. Check for body rust throughout, particularly in floor pans, wheel arches, and trunk area. The Saturn engine is reliable but check for oil consumption and timing chain noise. Twin carburetors need synchronization. Verify the five-speed gearbox is original to the MR specification. Parts availability is extremely limited. Unmodified, original-condition examples are the most valuable. Documentation of provenance adds significant value.
The Galant GTO was produced from 1970 to 1977 at Mitsubishi's Okazaki plant. The MR was the performance flagship variant with twin carburetors and the five-speed gearbox. The car was sold domestically and in various export markets under the Colt and Dodge branding in some regions.