Mitsubishi Colt 600

Mitsubishi Colt 600
Overview
ManufacturerShin Mitsubishi Heavy-Industries, Ltd
Production1962–1965[1]
Body and chassis
Body style2-door sedan
LayoutRear-engine, rear-wheel drive
Powertrain
Engine594 cc NE35B, air-cooled OHV Straight-twin engine
Transmission3-speed manual[1]
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,065 mm (81.3 in)
Length3,385 mm (133.3 in)
Width1,410 mm (56 in)
Height1,370 mm (54 in)
Curb weight555 kg (1,224 lb)
Chronology
PredecessorMitsubishi 500
SuccessorMitsubishi Colt 800

The Mitsubishi Colt 600 is a five-seat, two-door passenger sedan produced by Shin Mitsubishi Heavy-Industries, Ltd - one of the companies which would become Mitsubishi Motors.[2] It was rear-engined and rear wheel drive, powered by an air-cooled 594 cc twin-cylinder OHV engine producing 25 PS (18 kW), and debuted in July 1962 as the successor to the company's Mitsubishi 500 Super Deluxe.[3] The 600 was the first Mitsubishi to bear the "Colt" name.[4] Top speed was 100 km/h (62 mph).[1]

A convertible version—the company's first "show car"— was exhibited at the 9th Tokyo Motor Show, but was never offered for public sale.[3] A replica of that car was used to promote the new Mitsubishi Colt cabriolet at the 75th Geneva Motor Show in 2005.[5][6]

Following the racing success of its predecessor, Mitsubishi entered Colt 600 touring cars in the 1963 Malaysian Grand Prix, where they placed second and third in the under 600 cc class.[7] The following year the Colt 600 managed to take class honors in Malaysia.[8] Production ended in 1965, in favor of the considerably more modern (still two-stroke, but water-cooled) Colt 800 fastback.

A Mitsubishi 600 sedan (centre), flanked by its "500" predecessor in the foreground and a red Colt 600 convertible in the background.

References

  1. ^ a b c Car Graphic: Car Archives Vol. 1, '60s Japanese/American Cars. Tokyo: Nigensha. 2000. p. 22. ISBN 4-544-09171-3.
  2. ^ "History of Mitsubishi 1960-1969". Mitsubishi Motors Web Museum. Archived from the original on 2008-05-15.
  3. ^ a b "Colt 600 / Convertible". Mitsubishi Motors Web Museum. Archived from the original on 2012-03-22.
  4. ^ "First Look At Mitsubishi Motors History 1961-1970". Mitsubishi Motors South Africa. Archived from the original on 2008-06-10.
  5. ^ "Mitsubishi Lineup at 75th Geneva International Motor Show" (Press release). Mitsubishi Motors. March 1, 2005. Archived from the original on July 6, 2009.
  6. ^ "First Look At The New Mitsubishi Colt Coupe-Cabriolet". Carpages.co.uk. 12 February 2005.
  7. ^ "Colt 600". A Glorious Heritage: Chronological History of Mitsubishi Motor Sports Activities. Mitsubishi Motors Web Museum. Archived from the original on 2008-10-11.
  8. ^ "Mitsubishi Colt: Sporty and Compact". Mitsubishi Motors South Africa. Archived from the original on 2005-03-19. Retrieved 2010-09-27.


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