1983-1989 Mitsubishi Starion - Monochrome Cotton T-Shirt

The 1983-1989 Mitsubishi Starion pioneered affordable, intercooled turbocharging in a rear-wheel-drive package. It dominated SCCA Showroom Stock endurance racing, proving its reliability and speed against more expensive rivals. This balance of boost and handling is why collectors still seek it today.

Under the hood, the Starion features the G54B engine, a 2.6-liter SOHC turbocharged inline-four. Equipped with Mitsubishi's Dual Engine Stabilizers (balance shafts), this longitudinal engine produced 188 horsepower at 5,000 rpm and 234 lb-ft of torque at 2,500 rpm in its intercooled ESI-R trim.

Power is sent to the rear wheels via a five-speed manual transmission and a limited-slip differential. The chassis employs independent MacPherson struts at all four corners, a setup that grants the Starion excellent balance, sharp turn-in, and predictable limit-handling during high-speed cornering.

With roughly 81,000 units built globally, the Starion is now a sought-after rad-era collector car. It represents a vital link in Mitsubishi's performance lineage, replacing the Sapporo coupe and paving the way for its technological successor, the twin-turbocharged 3000GT.