--Mitsubishi Motors: a historical retrospective (1917-2020) by Punchy 207--
This wesbite is a fan-made retrospective of the autmotive history of Mitsubishi Motors and its predecessors, and is obviously not going to be 100% accurate, but i sure as hell try my best to make it as factual as possible
if there are any inaccuracies that need changing, email me at punchyac2007@gmail.com
Mitsubishi's first ever automobile was produced in 1917, and known as the Model A, earning the significance as Japan's first mass-produced car (picture below)
the Model A, however, had many flaws, as expected with a company's first ever car... mainly its price and production efficiency, both harshly affected by the fact that the model A was entirely hand built, meaning it not only outpriced American and European competition, but that only 22 were made over its 4 year production period (1917-1921).
Mitsubishi must've been quite dissatisfied with the A's overall run, as it would be their last civilian car until 1960.
However, Mitsubishi would create a new automobile in 1934, specifically for the Japanese military... the Mitsubishi PX33
the PX33 was Japan's first car to have full time 4WD, quite innovative for the time, and beneficial for military use. However, even LESS were produced than the Model A, as Mitsubishi only finished FOUR PX33s before the end of it's production run in 1937, and the Kurogane Type 95, produced by rival Kurogane, would fill its role as the military's scout car.
Mitsubishi would eventually foray into producing 3 wheeled cargo vehicles, such as the Mizushima XTM1 of 1946... which surprisingly was produced until the early 1960's (picture on left), but was superseded by the Mitsubishi Leo in 1959 (picture on right).
last and probably least, Mitsubishi's first scooter, the Silver Pigeon, also started production in 1946, and ended in 1964, having done a great deal to make the average Japanese roadworthy during the reconstruction period (picture below).
The 1960's were a very graceful period for Mitsubishi's automotive sector, and saw many new models created and produced throughout the decade, many still having relatives produced to this day (in 2022, atleast).
1960 saw Mitsubishi's voyage back into the passenger car market with their compact 500 model, which was quite an odd vehicle, being tested in a wind tunnel and having it's turning indicators on the B pillar, of all places. (picture below)
the Mitsubishi was also rallied in the 1962 Macau Grand Prix, beginning Mitsubishi's foundation as rally champions... all started by this Japanese flea.
Mitsubishi decided to make a much more practical vehicle for people who ran small business and needed to haul loads, hence in 1961, Mitsubishi created the 360 kei van/pickup, also known as the Minica (a more civilian version, also offered as a sedan/hatchback), which proved to be a huge success for Mitsubishi, with about 54,000 of them produced for the market in it's first generation, and the Minica name lasting until 2011. (picture of first gen left, picture of eigth gen right)
