By Marcal Eilenstein
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.
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.
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.
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
Jeff Glucker
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.
Brand differentiation has never been much of a concern for Chrysler.
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
There you have
There you have . . . ? Nice one.
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.
"…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?
Not only that, I didn't know what it was until I did some research.
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.'
Is there any truth to the legend that Mitsubishi intended to name the model "Stallion"?
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.
Don't forget the Dredia…
…er, Tredia. Easy mistake to make.
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.)
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.
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.
Really want one of these, and there are some in Germany. Getting parts would be a nightmare, ofc.
The Japanese 944