When we show vehicles from this lineup At classic gatherings, some cars draw immediate attention because someone’s parent or neighbor once had the same model. Others garner puzzled looks, fitting for vehicles that were rare even when they were brand new. The Colt Galant 2000 Turbo belonging to Michael Birkett belongs to this latter group and is thought to be One out of just two remaining. on the road.
In 1969, Mitsubishi introduced the Galant line of mid-size sedans. The fourth generation, featuring a rear-wheel-drive setup under the A160 series, was unveiled in 1980. At that point, the Japanese company had been bringing vehicles into the UK market for half a decade via the Colt brand. They assured buyers of the A160 model that they would experience "Elegance in Action."
At the time, one automotive journalist suggested that whereas the Ford Cortina catered to the "Company Man," the Galant appealed more to the "Family Man." According to this perspective, such a buyer could be attracted by factors including the vehicle's affordable starting price along with its included features, the spouse's choice regarding color and interior decor, as well as the car's overall driving experience and appeal.
The Turbo was introduced in early 1982 and came packed with plenty of features, including alloy wheels, electric windows, and an adjustable tilting steering wheel. It also boasted power-assisted steering and a stereo radio-cassette player. However, the car's allure went further than just accessories like windshield wipers; it even claimed to have "the world’s only reclining rear seat" as part of the Galant lineup.
The 1,997cc four-cylinder engine, initially introduced in the compact Lancer Turbo model, incorporated both an internally developed turbocharger and the Mitsubishi-Bosch "throttle-body" fuel injection system. This setup enabled the vehicle to reach a maximum velocity of 127 miles per hour. Additionally, the Galant Turbo was capable of accelerating from zero to sixty miles per hour in just 8.3 seconds, thanks partly to its robustly reinforced chassis which included aerodynamic enhancements such as front and rear spoilers.
For $11,640, the Galant Turbo had a higher price tag compared to the BMW 323i at $10,995. The Audi 80 The CD costs £8,560 and the Renault 18 Turbo At $9,800 (£7,464). Nevertheless, your amiable neighborhood dealer might highlight that it was more affordable compared to the $16,400 (£12,435) Saab 900 Turbo 4-Door. Meanwhile, Colt Cars GB strategically promoted the Galant as a premium choice. This sedan boasted superior performance over all other 2.0-liter five-seaters, with claims stating "the top speed of any competing model does not exceed 122 mph."
An additional aim for the Galant was to enhance the overall prestige of the entire Colt Cars lineup. Marketing materials boasting "all our vehicles now offer the choice of turbocharged engines" lent the marque a sense of advanced engineering, setting them apart from common offerings by brands like Datsun or Toyota. During this period, many viewed the concept of "turbocharging" with considerable admiration. Ironically, some motorists went so far as to affix after-market "Turbo" stickers onto their 1973 models. Morris Marina 1300 De Luxes.
Autocar Thought "the turbo upgrade for the Galant sedan - Colt's equivalent of the Cortina - appears somewhat out of place." Nonetheless, it continued by stating it was: "A very refined high-performance sedan - an excellent 'stealth' car where the sole outward indication of its real character is the deep red Turbo lettering on the trunklid beneath the understated rear wing."
The front-wheel-drive, fifth-generation Galant debuted in August 1983 and in 1984 UK-market cars featured Mitsubishi rather than Colt badges. Birkett has long been an enthusiast of the marque; we have previously featured his 1978 Sigma 2000 He was first offered the Galant Turbo around 2000 but mentions, "Sadly, I couldn't afford it at the time, so another member of the Lancer Turbo Owners' Club ended up purchasing it."
But shortly after buying the Galant, the clutch broke down, causing him to park it in his garage where it remained untouched for two decades." "Once the Turbo became part of the Birkett collection, 'I took it apart, gave it a fresh coat of paint, and then put it back together again. Some of the 'new old stock' components were sourced all the way from Croatia.'
Today, the Galant rightfully draws admiration for its stylish, somewhat 1970s-inspired Detroit aesthetics and because it genuinely lives up to the claim suggested by its TURBO badge. As Colt Cars phrased it, "Name The Fastest 2-Liter Five-Seater."
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