Mitsubishi Lancer 1600 GSR

Infobox Automobile


name = Mitsubishi Lancer 1600 GSR
aka = Colt Lancer 1600 GSR
manufacturer = Mitsubishi Motors
production = 1973–1977
predecessor = "(in competition)"
Mitsubishi Galant
successor = "(in competition)"
Mitsubishi Lancer EX
class = Compact car
platform = FR layout
body_style = 2-door sedan
engine = "4G32" 1597 cc I4
transmission = 5-speed manual
wheelbase = Auto mm|2340|1
length = Auto mm|3990|1
width = Auto mm|1530|1
height = Auto mm|1360|1
weight = Auto kg|890|0
fuel_capacity= Convert|50|L|usgal impgal|1

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. [ [http://www.mitsubishi-motors.co.jp/motorsports/history/1600gsr.html "A Glorious Heritage - Chronological History of Mitsubishi Motor Sports Activities"," Mitsubishi Motors Japanese website] ]

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. [ [http://www.rallybase.nl/index.php?type=rally&rallytype=Ken "Safari Rally Roll of Honour", Rallybase.nl] ]

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. [ [http://www.rallybase.nl/index.php?type=result&rallyid=633 "9ème Rallye Bandama Côte d'Ivoire", Rallybase.nl] ]

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.

elected international results (factory entries only)

afari 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

outhern Cross Rally

*1973:1st, Andrew Cowan / John Bryson
2nd, Barry Ferguson / Wayne Gregson
3rd, Doug Chivas / P. Meyer
4th, Joginder Singh / Garry Connelly

*1974:1st, Andrew Cowan / John Bryson
2nd, Joginder Singh / Garry Connelly

*1975:1st, Andrew Cowan / Fred Gocentas
2nd, Barry Ferguson / L. Adcock
5th, Kenjiro Shinozuka / Garry Connolly

*1976:1st, Andrew Cowan / John Bryson
2nd, Barry Ferguson / N.Faulkner
5th, Kenjiro Shinozuka / Garry Connelly

*1977:4th, Kenjiro Shinozuka / Garry Connelly "(1st in class)"

Rally Bandana Côte d'Ivoire

*1977:1st, Andrew Cowan / Johnstone Syer
2nd, Joginder Singh / Mike Doughty

1000 Lakes Rally

*1977:19th "(1st in class)"

International Safari de Zaire

*1979:1st

Technical specifications

:"Engine"::"Layout" — Longitudinally mounted front engine, rear wheel drive::"Configuration" — Water-cooled SOHC straight-4, eight valves, five main bearings::"Bore x stroke" — 76.9 x 86.0 mm::"Capacity" — 1597 cc::"Compression ratio" — 9.5:1:"Fuelling"::"Fuel system" — Twin carburettors, catalytic converter::"Fuel capacity" — 50 L::"Peak power":::"Road car" — 75 kW (98 PS) at 6300 rpm:::"Rally car" — 126 kW (165 PS) at 7800 rpm::"Peak torque":::"Road car" — 132 N·m (97 ft·lbf) at 4000 rpm:::"Rally car" — 162 N·m (119 ft·lbf) at 5500 rpm:"Transmission"::"Type" — 5-speed manual::"Top gear ratio" — 0.85::"Final drive ratio" — 3.91:"Suspension & brakes"::"(front)" — Independent MacPherson struts, coil springs, anti-roll bar, disc brakes::"(rear)" — longitudinal arms, drum brakes:"Steering"::"Type" — Recirculating ball::"Turning circle" — convert|9.60|m|ft|1:"Performance"::"Top speed" — Auto km/h|165|0::"Power:weight ratio" — 112.36 bhp/ton

External links

* [http://www.mitsubishi-motors.com/corporate/museum/motorsports/e/70s/lancer_1600gsr.htm Mitsubishi Lancer 1600 GSR at Mitsubishi Web Museum]
* [http://www.mitsubishi-motors.com Mitsubishi Motors' official global site]
* [http://media.mitsubishicars.com/detail?mid=MIT2007010943153&mime=ASC Mitsubishi Motors North America press release]

References