Mitsubishi 500
Mitsubishi 500 | ||
---|---|---|
Curb weight 490 kg (1,080 lb) | | |
Chronology | ||
Successor | Mitsubishi Colt 600 |
The Mitsubishi 500 was the first passenger car produced after the
History
First shown at the 1959
500 Super DeLuxe
Buoyed by its sales success, it was given an enlarged 25 PS (18 kW) 594 cc engine (NE35A) in August 1961 for improved acceleration and durability. This model was known as the Mitsubishi 500 Super DeLuxe. The succeeding Colt 600 used a great deal of the 500 Super DeLuxe's underpinnings, including the engine and layout. The Mitsubishi 500 was never a Kei car: Kei regulations at the time of introduction mandated an engine no larger than 360 cc, which remained the limit until it was raised to 550 cc January 1, 1976.
Motorsport heritage
Although they are now more renowned for their contemporary successes in off-road racing with the Pajero-based Rally Raid vehicle and Lancer Evo-based WRC car, Mitsubishi's first "homologation special" was a Super DeLuxe-based touring car which the company prepared for the 1962 Macau Grand Prix. In an auspicious debut Kazuo Togawa took class honours, as the diminutive sedan swept the top four places in the "Under 750 cc" category.[4]
References
- ^ ISBN 4-586-53330-7.
- ^ Inouye, pp. 138–139
- ^ "History of Mitsubishi: 1960-1969". Mitsubishi Motors Web Museum. Mitsubishi Motors. Archived from the original on 2008-05-15.
- ^ "1962 to 1963: Mitsubishi 500". A Glorious Heritage: Chronological History of Mitsubishi Motor Sports Activities. Mitsubishi Motors Corporation. Archived from the original on 2012-03-09.