Mitsubishi Galant GTO
| Mitsubishi Colt Galant GTO | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Mitsubishi Motors |
| Production | 1970.11–1977 |
| Designer | Hiroaki Kamisago |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Sports car |
| Body style | 2-door hardtop |
| Layout | FR |
| Related | Mitsubishi Galant (1969–76) |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | |
| Transmission | |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,420 mm (95.3 in) |
| Length | 4,125 mm (162.4 in) |
| Width | 1,580 mm (62.2 in) |
| Height | 1,310 mm (51.6 in) |
| Curb weight | 980 kg (2,160 lb) |
| Chronology | |
| Successor | Mitsubishi Galant Lambda |
The Mitsubishi Colt Galant GTO (Gran Turismo Omologato) was first shown as the Galant GTX-1 showcar at the 1969 Tokyo Motor Show. Sales began in November 1970, when it was the flagship hardtop variant of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries's then-new Colt Galant sedan. The nameplate was revived in 1990 for the Mitsubishi GTO, although this name was only used in the Japanese domestic market.
The Colt Galant GTO exterior was penned by Hiroaki Kamisago, who had previously been sent by Mitsubishi to study at the Art Center College of Design, then located in Los Angeles, California, incorporating a number of stylistic cues from contemporary American muscle cars like the Mustang, Firebird and Cougar, including a long hood, raised cut-off ducktail rear, and rounded quad-headlamps and tail-lamps. The GTO was Mitsubishi's second production car to have full, roll down, side windows and a pillarless design and after the Toyota T40 series Corona of 1966 and Mitsubishi's own Galant Hardtop launched earlier in 1970; the GTO was the third such Japanese car.
Mitsubishi Racing Development (AKA Colt Speed) intended for the Colt Galant GTO to compete in the prestigious JCCA Grand Prix circuit. However, the OPEC oil embargo of 1973 sounded the demise of GP racing, so the GTO race program was mothballed. Nevertheless, GTO's were successful in rallying, including the famous Japanese Alpine Rally.
Initially, there were three Colt Galant GTO (A53C) models offered, all powered by the Saturn engine: the M1 (1600 cc SOHC, 4-speed single carb), the M2 (1600 cc SOHC, 4-speed, using twin Mikuni-built Solex carburetors for a total of 110 hp)(SAE).and the top-spec MR (1600 cc twin-carb, DOHC five-speed), a 125 PS (92 kW) version only available in Japan.
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