Fastback Friday – 1985 Mitsubishi Starion is a fast black fastback

Marcal Eilenstein

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While making a stop at my favorite auto parts store, I saw this strange (to me) black car parked nearby. I have this car a few times before, but this time I had the time and the reason to stop and get some pictures, which I want to share with you all. Take a look below the jump to see more.

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This is something called a Mitsubishi Starion, which also came to the USA as a Conquest (in Dodge, Chrysler, and Plymouth flavors!). I don’t recall the last time I saw a Starion, so this could very well be my first sighting. I was convinced at first that it was some kind of Mazda RX-7, and with similar proportions, you can see why.

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This is another classic example of 80’s design, with lots of straight lines, small wheels, and flat fenders flares. With a turbocharged 2.6-liter 4-cylinder engine, rear-wheel drive, 5-speed transmission, you can see why this car is attractive.

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This Starion looks like a daily driver, and sort of a project car. You can clearly see the flat black primer on the front fenders and hood, and the body has dings all around. It’s definitely original, but still going strong. Inside, I saw lots of wear on the driver’s seat, but I guess that expected of a 30-year old car.

There you have

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Marcal Eilenstein

Marcal Eilenstein

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16 responses to “Fastback Friday – 1985 Mitsubishi Starion is a fast black fastback”

  1. FuzzyPlushroom Avatar
    FuzzyPlushroom

    It seems to be missing the staggered wheels. I don't know whether that's unusual; they might've been part of a trim package, and I know someone will school me before too long.
    The last one of these I saw was a Chrysler Conquest, although I believe (since I didn't have a camera on me) that it was a narrow-body car, without the gorgeous flares. It still surprises me that those weren't badged as Dodges, and the Daytona left to Chrysler as a second-generation Laser, but then again, Plymouth got a first-generation DSM as a Laser, so brand differentiation must not have been much of a concern at the time.

    Reply
    1. frankthecat Avatar
      frankthecat

      Brand differentiation has never been much of a concern for Chrysler.

      Reply
  2. terrence Avatar
    terrence

    I owned an 89 Conquest tsi. It was my favorite car next to my s2000. Leather seats, auto climate control, steering wheel mounted radio controls with a built in equalizer. 188 hp what an awesome car for the time

    Reply
  3. MVEilenstein Avatar
    MVEilenstein

    There you have
    There you have . . . ? Nice one.

    Reply
  4. Van_Sarockin Avatar
    Van_Sarockin

    Yup. Looks a bit like a 300 ZX. Supposed to compete with the Supra, but with more power, more technology, and more features and comfort items. And all at a bargain price. A buddy of mine had one and loved it. But he gave it up after he blew up the second engine.

    Reply
  5. Peter Tanshanomi Avatar
    Peter Tanshanomi

    "…this could very well be my first sighting."
    Let me get this straight — you've never seen a Starion?
    Could I really be as old as I'm feeling right now?

    Reply
    1. MVEilenstein Avatar
      MVEilenstein

      Not only that, I didn't know what it was until I did some research.

      Reply
    2. frankthecat Avatar
      frankthecat

      I'm nearly 20 years old; I've seen one Chrysler badged Conquest, and one Mitsubishi Starion, neither of which within the past year. Rust belt eats 80's Japanese steel up quicker than you can say 'iron oxide.'

      Reply
  6. Gooberpeaz Avatar
    Gooberpeaz

    Is there any truth to the legend that Mitsubishi intended to name the model "Stallion"?

    Reply
    1. BlackIce_GTS Avatar
      BlackIce_GTS

      It's supposed to be a mashup of 'Star of Orion'. A lot of non-word named Mitsubishis are like that; Cordia, Proudia, and Delica are core(?) diamond, proud diamond, and delivery car. I'm sure there's some more.

      Reply
      1. C³-Cool Cadillac Cat Avatar
        C³-Cool Cadillac Cat

        Don't forget the Dredia…
        …er, Tredia. Easy mistake to make.

        Reply
  7. Batshitbox Avatar
    Batshitbox

    I don't want to argue
    There's nothing to say
    Get me out of your Starion and
    Be on your way
    That refrain runs through my head every time I see a Conquest or a Starion. It's axiomatic, the one always follows the other.
    (If I learned one thing today, it's who sings that song. Not Cheap Trick like I thought.)

    Reply
  8. MattC Avatar
    MattC

    One of my favorite cars during my early driving years. To me , the Conquest TSI ( preferably in electric blue)with the fender flares and stock deep dish 5 star wheels (still my favorite OEM offered wheel) was the epitome of 1980's goodness. It shows that there were some bright spots in an otherwise dreary automotive landscape at that time. As an aside, a Ford 5.0L fits beautifully in the engine bay (literally like it was made for it) and would be my ideal future project car. Unfortunately in the Northeast, these are harder to find in decent condition.

    Reply
  9. Kogashiwa Avatar
    Kogashiwa

    Friend of mine in college had one of these, his pride and joy. What an entertaining car that was. Big gruff gravelly four-pot, with not actually a lot off the bottom for as big as it was, massive turbo lag, and a wallop of shove once the turbo finally woke up. Loved that thing.

    Reply
  10. julkinen Avatar
    julkinen

    Really want one of these, and there are some in Germany. Getting parts would be a nightmare, ofc.

    Reply
  11. bfm Avatar
    bfm

    The Japanese 944

    Reply