1994 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo II RS

Highlights

• Rare lightweight RS model
• Imported 2016 and lightly used since
• Very low mileage with extensive history in Japan and the UK
• Engine lightly upgraded and mapped to 283hp
• Recent new clutch and cam belt
• MeisterR ZetaCRD coilovers
• Great condition inside and out

Overview

Remember the heady days when Mitubishi and Subaru duked it out on the stages and, seemingly every week, released a new version of their road-going cars to homologate their latest rally special? Well, sorry to say it but, having checked the calendar, it appears that you’re probably getting on a bit. Incredible though it may seem, Mistubishi’s four-year run of World Rally Championship Drivers' champions ended in 1999, or a quarter of a century ago, to put it into depressing perspective. Sadly it seems that we won’t witness such times again (“the good old days”, at the risk of sounding like a bunch of old gits) but fortunately there are some who have been carefully preserving some of the better examples of the era and here we see one such car. The Mitsubishi Evo II harks back to 1994 and the RS model was a stripped out special before that was a fashionable thing. In the name of weight saving (and because much of it was often binned when converting the cars to proper competition use), the RS interior ditched the radio, air con and even electric windows and the boot carpet. If the interior was basic, the hardware was closely related to what you would see on the stages, with a turbocharged 4 cylinder motor good for 252hp in period and four wheel drive. Subsequent iterations would see further sophistication introduced but the Evo II still possesses more than enough talent to keep the driver thoroughly entertained down the back roads and lanes. Of course, the earlier Evos were JDM-only, with officially sanctioned imports only starting in 1999. But grey importers have long seen the value in these cars and were bringing them over (and continue to do so) ever since their appearance in Japan. This particular car was imported later, in 2016 and, unusually, comes with extensive Japanese service records. Now we’re not clever enough to report exactly what they say but there’s a healthy number of stamps and the car’s condition speaks for itself. Comprehensive records since it landed in the UK show that it’s been pampered while here, with some light upgrades in addition to regular maintenance and limited mileage. The result is a car that’s in great condition and very usable, even if its collectible status may discourage extensive driving. Collectible? Well, if we’re looking at these with fond nostalgia now, just imagine how we’ll feel about them in another 10 years. If you’ve ever lusted after one, then surely now is the time to act.

History and documentation

• Manufactured 1994
• Imported to the UK by Torque GT and registered 1 Jul 2016
• There are reportedly 12 stamps in the service book with the first 10 in Japan and the last 2 in the UK
• Full JDM document pack and numerous invoices
• Invoices show the following work: Mar 2020 - full service including cam belt, new exhaust, new brake calipers all round, engine upgrades (see below) and mapping, coilovers, Apr 2020 @ 57,436 km - new clutch
• Currently showing just 58,066km and a BIMTA certificate supports the mileage prior to import
• Current MOT with no advisories expires 15 Feb 2025
• 2 keys
• V5 present in owner’s name
• HPI clear

Interior

• As this is the RS variant, the interior is stripped of its niceties so there’s no radio, electric windows or air con to the benefit of weight saving
• In a nod to its rally credentials, there is a set of auxiliary gauges for battery voltage, oil temperature and turbo boost
• Although there is a spartan feel to the dashboard, there is one significant upgrade to the cabin: the standard seats are replaced by a pair of fabulous Recaros with fishnet headrests
• A small amount of weight is added back in by Ralliart mats to protect the carpets
• Reflecting the car’s limited mileage, the interior is in excellent condition, the only slight signs of wear being to the driver’s seat bolster and the handbrake
• The owner advises us that everything works just as it should
• In a further demonstration of commitment to weight saving, the boot does without carpet but it does come with a space saver spare under the piece of board that serves as a boot floor
• Overall, it’s a functional interior that proudly displays the focus of the car and is really well preserved

Exterior

• Although it lacks the more extreme addenda of later Mitsubishi Evo models, bobble-hatted aficionados will soon see this car for what it is: essentially a road-going rally car
• White is therefore arguably the best colour, though some would argue that it would look better with generous helpings of mud up the sides
• The bodywork is said to be in excellent highly original condition with only a few small blemishes on the boot lid
• Although there are a few minor scratches to the door openings, rear bumper and one on the front spoiler, otherwise the paint looks to be in very good condition and the bodywork dent-free
• Fitted with unmarked white Oz Racing wheels which look the part; a pair of Ralliart mudflaps also comes with the car, ready to be fitted
• The tyres are Toyo Proxes R888, fitted less than 200km ago
• As if often the case with JDM cars (providing they have received appropriate treatment on these shores), the underside is said to be in excellent condition
• In all, it looks to be really well cared for

Mechanical

• 1,997cc four cylinder turbo with upgraded fuel pump, Evo 9 ECU, OBD port and wiring harness with new cam belt fitted in 2020
• Hayward and Scott stainless steel exhaust
• Engine mapped and the rolling road printout from 2020 shows a very healthy 283hp
• 5-speed manual gearbox
• Clutch replaced in 2020 and ACT Streetlife flywheel fitted
• Four-wheel drive
• New brake calipers in 2020 and braided lines
• MeisterR ZetaCRD coil-over suspension
• As you would hope from the limited mileage and extensive history, the seller describes everything as being in excellent order with no mechanical issues
• To drive, he reports that it goes and stops extremely well and that the noise is exactly what you would expect from an Evo with an upgraded exhaust which sounds great to us

Summary

For many, the Evo II is a throwback to a golden era and the RS variant absolutely the one to have. This car is in great condition, has limited mileage and some choice upgrades. Such is its rarity and low mileage that the temptation may be to lock it in a heated garage but we would urge the next owner to use it as intended and to enjoy actually driving it. Maybe stop short of a full-blown rally conversion, but it would be great to see it out in the wild. To arrange a viewing, please request this in the Q&A section. You can click through to the seller's profile and use the 'Email Me' function to arrange a viewing privately. This seller is located near Penrith, Cumbria.