Fully restored an abandoned unit in Hokkaido

The “Colt” has long been a symbolic car of Mitsubishi Motors. Since the Mitsubishi “500” was developed based on the national car concept, the displacement was increased with a full model change, and the name “Colt 600” was given to the car, which is still a familiar name today. Its successor, the Colt 1000, is owned by Mr. Sadao Yuzuki. We asked him how he acquired his beloved car.

The Colt 1000 was developed under the concept of a national car

At the 19th Classic Car Meeting held in Itoigawa City, Niigata Prefecture on May 3, 2024, we found a Mitsubishi “Colt 1000” among a selection of participating vehicles. Mitsubishi Motors is now well known for its wild minivans and SUVs such as the “Delica D:5” and “Outlander,” but it was in 1960 that the company began full-scale production of passenger cars of its design. In 1962, the company made a full model change and increased the engine capacity to 600 cc. From this model, the name was changed to the Mitsubishi “Colt 600,” and since then the “Colt” has long been a symbolic name for Mitsubishi passenger cars.

The Mitsubishi Colt 1000 on display at the exhibition differed from the Mitsubishi 500 and Colt 600 in that it had a conventional RWD drive system instead of the rear engine that had been used until then. It was Mitsubishi’s first 4-door sedan and was introduced in 1963.

Return to the road from a battered state

“I like historic cars in general, rather than this Colt 1000. I used to go to historic car events here and there, but eventually, I got tired of just watching them and decided I wanted to participate as an entrant. That desire grew and 20 years ago I acquired a Beret G. That was the beginning of my historic car hobby,”

says owner Mr. Sadao Yuzuki.

“This Colt 1000 is a 1966 model. It was scrapped in 1999, and it has been abandoned in Hokkaido ever since. Two years ago, when I learned of its existence, I flew to the site and was given one that was in a battered state.”

After that, the damaged body, drivetrain, suspension, etc. were all restored. Recently, the car obtained a local Tama license plate number and was back on the road.

“Someday, I’d like to take this car to Hokkaido and visit a Sorachi Mitsubishi dealer,”

he says with a smile.