Description
This lot will be auctioned via Iconic Auctioneers, The Iconic Sale at Race Retro 2025 - Collectors' Cars on Saturday the 22nd of February, Stoneleigh Park, Stoneleigh Rd, Coventry, CV8 2LG. Launched at the peak of rally mania, Mitsubishi experienced huge success in Lancer Evolution sales, reportedly selling 6, 000 Evolution IVs in the first three days of its launch! The 1996 WRC season brought Mitsubishi its first World Rally Championship drivers' title, with thanks to a blisteringly quick driver named Tommi Mäkinen. In quick succession, the Lancer Evolution VI came to be and in the latter-half of 1999, Mitsubishi unleashed a special edition to celebrate its favourite driver's four consecutive WRC drivers' titles from 1996-1999; the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VI 'Tommi Mäkinen Edition' (TME). The Evolution VI was already a technological tour de force but the TME came equipped with a more responsive titanium turbocharger, uprated and lowered suspension, quicker steering, an upgraded exhaust, a new ECU, beefed-up transfer case internals, a redesigned front bumper for improved cooling and authentic 17" WRC Enkei alloy wheels. The interior featured embossed Recaro seats, a MOMO steering wheel and red stitching. The performance upgrades saw 0-60mph despatched in 4. 4 seconds and a maximum top speed of 150mph. Power was rumoured to be north of 300bhp, rather than the 276bhp 'Gentlemans' Agreement'. Widely regarded as the finest Lancer to wear the Evolution badge, it was available in five colours, with Passion Red and Canal Blue joining Scotia White, Pyrenean Black and Satellite Silver. Due to the popularity of early imported cars, especially when imported by RALLIART like this one, the UK was allocated 50 numbered examples in Passion Red. According to Mitsubishi, it was these Passion Red cars that automatically received the renowned racing decals known as a 'Special Colour Package' (SCP), meaning that these examples were factory-fitted with black door handles to not break the line of the long profile decal. On offer here is an extremely early RALLIART-imported car before the 50 numbered cars were decided upon. This is one of the infamous 212 red special colour package (SCP) vehicles confirmed by its SNGF2 VIN plate. Within the history file, there is a document showing the car was imported by RALLIART with an original Bill of Sale and the original English service books and records showing its full service history by Mitsubishi and Mitsubishi specialists. In 2007, at 48, 000 miles, the car was purchased by the previous owner who, in 2015, undertook the most phenomenal restoration, with bills and invoices for work undertaken on file well in excess of £30, 000. The car was totally stripped back to a bare shell, acid-dipped and all metal that required it was repaired, including replacing the entire floorpan with a genuine Mitsubishi replacement. The shell was epoxy-primed and the underside was then given an additional treatment of Raptor stone chip. Under the bonnet, virtually every component, nut and bolt was stripped, cleaned and painted including zinc-plating the bolts and painting the engine. The wheels were also stripped and powder-coated with the rear lights and front side lights converted to LED. This car features almost every conceivable RALLIART upgrade and extra, as well as having benefited from some upgrades over its life with some non-standard parts that are described in the online listing such as the Scorpion stainless steel exhaust system. Under the bonnet are some 'unobtanium' elements that enhance the engine bay, including bespoke RALLIART pipework, slam panel, spark plug cover and strut brace (front and rear). The full specification is on our website. The car is very well known within the world of TME enthusiasts and owners groups, being such a highly respected restoration and undeniably OEM+. Our vendor is a JDM collector who exclusively looks for best of the best examples, and this Tommi Mäkinen undoubtedly qualifies, however to make room for the next JDM addition, it is time to move it on. Without a doubt one of, if not the, finest condition Tommi Mäkinen we've seen and your inspection is highly recommended and encouraged. Specification list:EngineStandard engine internals. Standard airboxGreddy intercoolerSpec-R polished aluminium front suspension top mount coversSpec-R header tankSpec-R water pipeSpec-R sensor heat shieldRalliart front strut braceRalliart rear strut braceRalliart slam panel Scorpion stainless exhaust system All bolts zinc plated. Most parts under the bonnet taken back to bare metal and painted. Wheels and suspension Standard Enkei wheels Ohlins suspension – less than 3, 000 miles of useAll joints fully polybushed (Superpro)InteriorStandard interiorRalliart floor matsRalliart pedalsRalliart gearknob SecurityRalliart stickered Disklock steering wheel lock painted the same colour as the car. Clifford Concept 650Mk2 (with 2 fobs) AestheticsRalliart...
