by The collaboration that birthed a legend
Some collaborations age into legends, others into interesting historical footnotes. If the phrase “AMG and Mitsubishi” in one sentence sounds strange, then today it truly is. But in the late 1980s, before AMG was fully absorbed by Mercedes, and before every sports car needed a Nürburgring lap time, there was a brief period when the tuning house added a bit of its magic to Mitsubishi products.
A strange and cool forgotten sports sedan
The result was one of the strangest and coolest forgotten sports sedans ever produced by Japan. Now, one such car has appeared for sale in Osaka, and it feels like an alternate automotive reality has accidentally leaked into ours. This 1989 Mitsubishi Galant AMG is listed for 1,730,000 yen (about $11,900 at current exchange rates), including the commission fee. That’s less than many used Civics, but you get a truly unusual piece of performance history.
AMG Cheated On Mercedes To Tune This FWD Mitsubishi Galant
Technical details and condition
The listing describes an AMG-tuned Galant with a naturally aspirated 4G63 engine, a full AMG aerodynamic package, AMG wheels, leather seats, an AMG steering wheel, a unique exhaust system, and a large rear spoiler. The mileage is 92,600 km (57,500 miles), and the timing belt is reported to have been replaced. This is a key detail for anyone considering importing a nearly forty-year-old Japanese sedan.
A real collaboration, not just a body kit
Again, this is not just a car with a body kit and badges. The Galant AMG was a genuine collaboration. Mitsubishi would send engines to AMG for tuning, where modifications included altered camshafts, higher compression, updated intake components, and other upgrades. Power increased to approximately 170 hp (127 kW), which was a significant figure for a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter sedan in 1989.
Transmission and overall impression
This power is sent to all four wheels via a four-speed automatic transmission. The transmission might be the least charming part of this rare beast, but honestly, many other AMGs used automatic gearboxes. The main story here is just how strange it all looks from the perspective of today.
Incredible reality
Imagine if someone said today that AMG would collaborate with Mitsubishi on a mid-size sedan. It sounds about as plausible as a factory Prius with a Hellcat engine. At least this car is real, and you can buy it for much less than you might expect.
Practical aspects of the purchase
A little less than a clean Civic, plus the cost of shipping to the US, and this all-wheel-drive historical artifact could be yours. Since it’s a 1989 model, it clearly meets the 25-year import rule, so nothing holds you back except common sense. Check out the listing before someone more sensible buys it.
This car serves as a vivid reminder of how diverse and experimental the 1980s were for the automotive industry. A collaboration between a Japanese manufacturer and a German tuning house seems incredible today, but it happened and gave birth to a truly unique vehicle. For collectors and enthusiasts, this is not just a purchase but an opportunity to own a piece of automotive history that will likely never be repeated. Given its relatively low price, this Galant AMG could be an excellent investment for the future, as such cars only become rarer and more valuable with each passing year.
