Since why do I
incorrectly conjure up thoughts of 'Ol "Joe Isuzu" when thinking of
Mitsubishi? Especially since they're often called Mister bitchy...
Or not knowing the
fact that they're now essentially owned by the Renault-Nissan alliance, since
Nissan Motor Corp. now has the largest company stake with 34% ownership.
As how many of Y'all know of Mitsubishi
Motors celebrating their Centennial as an Automobile manufacturer this year? As
I certainly wasn't aware of the milestone until reading 'bout it via The
Detroit News previously.
As the Detroit
News story sez' Thar anniversary was May 4th, whilst WICKEDPedia' claims the
company's birthday as October 1917...
Funny how when I think of Mitsubishi, for
which the only two cars I recall are the Starion and the 3000GT, indelibly,
it's somewhat raunchy nickname "Mister Bitchy" immediately comes to
mind!
And although it was actually supposed to be its
Chrysler Kissin' cousin's Dodge Stealth pacing the "Diamond Jubilee" 75th
running of the Indianapolis 500 in 1991.
But when word leaked out that the Stealth and
Mitsubishi 3000GT were produced in Japan, "My-Oh-My!" Mother Speedway
fans implored: We Can't have NO Foreign built Car pacing our Race; aye Karumba!
For which Chrysler quickly relented, rushing
out a pre-production Dodge Viper RT/10 Roadster, for which 'Ol Shel' (Carroll
Shelby) became it's Pace Car chauffer...
Ironically, I wasn't awares' until penning this
story that the Starion's successor was the Dodge Stealth!
As the last news I heard about Mitsubishi was
when late last year, Nissan took a 34% controlling interest in the scandalized
company, after its CEO admitted to their cheating Fuel Economy testing
practices. Now making it part of the Nissan Renault alliance.
But this story's about the Japanese Auto
Maker's plans to celebrate their heritage with a custom built California's West
Coast Customs Coachbuilder producing a Resto Mod of the company's debutant 1917
Model A vehicle...
As you've gotta
admit it's the perfect way to brighten up their tarnished image. And that was
before I'd heard 'bout Thar current improper Metallurgy crisis...