Mitsubishi Lancer 1600 GSR

Mitsubishi Lancer 1600 GSR

Manufacturer	Mitsubishi Motors
Also called	Colt Lancer 1600 GSR
Production	1973–1977
Predecessor	(in competition) Mitsubishi Galant
Successor	(in competition) Mitsubishi Lancer EX
Class	Compact car
Body style(s)	2-door sedan
Platform	FR layout
Engine(s)	4G32 1597 cc I4
Transmission(s)	5-speed manual
Wheelbase	2340 mm (92.1 in)
Length	3990 mm (157.1 in)
Width	1530 mm (60.2 in)
Height	1360 mm (53.5 in)
Curb weight	890 kg (1962 lb)
Fuel capacity	50 litres (13.2 US gal/11.0 imp gal)

The Mitsubishi Lancer 1600 GSR was the high-performance version of the first generation Lancer sedan, developed by Mitsubishi Motors to further their aspirations in off-road racing, especially the Safari Rally of Kenya. Thanks to repeated triumphs in what was the most gruelling rally in the world, it earned the nickname "King of Cars" in Africa.

Motorsport heritage

After sporadic successes with the Colt and Galant rally cars in previous years, Mitsubishi decided to develop a Lancer model specifically to tackle the notorious Safari Rally. Run over 6,000 km of arduous terrain under searing equatorial temperatures, the race was regarded as the toughest in the world, and typically only one car in five which set off from the start would manage to reach the finish line in Nairobi. Mitsubishi sanctioned official factory teams for the 1974–77 events, building for itself an enviable reputation for durability when only one of thirteen cars failed to finish in those four attempts. The high point was a clean sweep of the podium places in 1976.

The car had previously demonstrated similar qualities in 1973, with its debut in the Australian Southern Cross Rally being rewarded with a clean sweep of the top four places. Works driver Andrew Cowan would go on to dominate this race in the '70s, winning four consecutive titles in 1973–76. Cowan and Joginder Singh also scored a 1–2 finish for the Lancer GSR at the 1977 Rallye Bandama Côte d'Ivoire.

Production ceased when the Lancer range was facelifted in 1977, although it remained a popular car with privateers into the 1980s. However, the decline of endurance rallying and the rise of the Group B class eventually signalled its demise.

Selected international results (factory entries only)

Safari Rally

1974:

1st, Joginder Singh / David Doig

1975:

4th, Andrew Cowan / John Mitchell (1st in class)
8th, Davinder Singh / Roger Barnard
10th, Prem Choda / Pauru Choda
retired, Joginder Singh / David Doig

1976:

1st, Joginder Singh / David Doig
2nd, Robin Ulyate / Chris Bates
3rd, Andrew Cowan / Johnstone Syer
6th, Kenjiro Shinozuka / Bob Graham

1977:

4th, Andrew Cowan / Paul White
5th, Joginder Singh / David Doig
6th, Davinder Singh / Chris Bates
10th, Kenjiro Shinozuka / Bob Graham