Mitsubishi didn’t begin to import cars into the U.S. under their brand until 1982. Before that, they provided some subcompacts to Chrysler to use in the 1970s. That was the first time the Colt name became familiar to U.S. car buyers. This 1963 Colt 1000 was likely brought home by a U.S. servicemember in the 1960s, and it sports a right-hand drive from Japan. It doesn’t look to be in bad shape but does need some mechanical tinkering. Located in Seattle, Washington, this gas sipper is available here on Facebook Marketplace for $6,000. Hats off to Eric B for finding this seldom-seen gem!
The Colt nameplate first appeared on Mitsubishi Motors cars in their homeland in 1962. It would appear on a variety of platforms for more than 40 years, but mostly as a Kei (aka really tiny car) or subcompact. The original Colt (code name A20) was built from 1963 to 1970, with a gradual increase in engine displacement over the years (1000, 1100, 1200, and 1500-cc). The seller’s car is from the first production run and uses a 977-cc motor, hence the 1000 designation for the little machine.
This Mitsubishi may have been in the U.S. for the majority of its life as the seller surmises a guy in the military packed it into a container with other belongings in 1964. What the car has been up to these past 58 years isn’t known, and the claimed mileage is just a placeholder (1,234). Though the seller says it has an automatic transmission, a 4-speed manual is much more likely. The automobile does run, but needs some work, at least in terms of a new clutch slave cylinder and brake surgery.
The blue paint looks pretty tired, but rust doesn’t seem to be an issue. The body wears an assortment of dents and dings which would have been easy to acquire as the sheet metal isn’t particularly thick. The interior may be fine as the back seat has worn a cover and – when pulled down – shows good upholstery underneath. One of the rear doors seems to still be wearing the plastic wrap they used when shipping cars from the factory to dealers. If you can get this Colt going reliably again, it’s a safe bet you will be the only person in the crowd to have one.
I could park this next to an Isuzu Bellel and a Toyopet Crown Deluxe in my Japanese Oddball Car Dream Garage! It’d certainly be more practical than a Suminoe Flying Feather….
Realistically, I don’t think even Rock Auto — or your local Mitsubishi dealer — would be much help in getting this roadworthy. Is there a Classic Mitsu Club somewhere I don’t know about? So, since I’m allergic to Yard Art cars, I’ll just have to say, “Sorry!”
Those fender-mounted mirrors are wacky. Easier to just turn your head.
Rex- They are a ‘Japan thing’. Been that way since I was there in the ‘60s😉
Uk as well. They’re called
“wing mirrors” and they’re much easier to use (than door mirrors) as they’re close to your line of sight.
Door mirrors, though, give a much better view. In fact, we called the first door mirrors (after market)
“Overtaking mirrors”.
Japanese regulations required the mirrors to be visible through the portion of the windshield cleared by the windshield wipers.
Left hand shifting would be hard to get used to, and parts would be “unobtainium”… but otherwise, cool car!
Fred,
I’ve had dozens of RHD cars over the last 6 decades, and by far the easiest part of a RHD stickshift car is the left side shifter. It really isn’t difficult to get used to.
The hardest part? Passing a slow truck on a 2 lane road, when you don’t have anyone in the front passenger seat to scream at you when there IS a car coming from the opposite direction!
yup, I have adjusted in a matter of minutes (altho the 1st “roundabout” seemed strange). The main problem is our rds are not made for them and neither are anyother systems but gas up (toll, bank, fast food, etc, etc).
Passed upa few nice ones (& in the right price probably due to the rhd) too. I will never go ‘that way’. Problems no matter urban. suburban or rural. Easily over come w/a passenger beside you but I am a total solo driver (ok, 99%).
chrlsful,
One of my more memorable car stories is when I was driving my 1957 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud with RHD. My girlfriend and her 2 daughters were riding with me as we headed to a car show in Virginia. This was long before GPS units, so my girlfriend’s eldest daughter was riding up front in the left side of the seat, consulting a big folding map to keep us on the right route. She had the map fully unfolded, about as big as a regular newspaper open for reading.
A Prince William County cop pulled us over, and he walked up to the left front door. She opened the window, and the cop said “Drivers license and vehicle registration please”. She leaned the still opened map up against the dash, smiled and said; “I don’t have a drivers license, I’m only 15”.
The cop said something to the effect of “Then what the hell are you doing driving?” I cleared my throat rather loudly and said “Hello officer, I believe you might want to talk with me!” He looked over and his expression said it all. He actually said “Oh S**t, never mind.”, and he walked back to his car!
I must have sat there for several minutes waiting, and he finally pulled out around me and drove off down the road. Continuing our trip south on I-95, it took us only a few minutes to figure it out: He saw the big map unfolded in what he thought was the driver’s lap, as the car was motoring down I-95 at around 60mph. All 4 of us never forgot that event, and I’m sure he didn’t as well!
Nice looking car. It’s a shame that this car was never offered in the USA. We didn’t get the Colt until the 1970s.
Reminds me to FIAT 1500 from 1961-67
Such old Japanese cars are at most interesting but hard
to find spares make them not attractive when you’re
notliving in Australia or Japan where some aftermarket
support exist.