1995 MITSUBISHI LANCER EVOLUTION III GSR (CE9A)

This Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution III is finished in an understated colour and may at first glance look like a fairly standard example of the Japanese performance saloon – however, this is a car that packs a huge punch thanks to a raft of mechanical upgrades. Under the bonnet is a freshly built 2.0-litre ‘long rod’ inline-four, tested at 544bhp and 436lb-ft of torque, while power is delivered to all four wheels via a five-speed manual transmission. The odometer currently reads 93,988km, though it may have an odometer change in or around 2013, so the correct chassis mileage could be approximately 145,000km.

This imported model has been in the hands of the current vendor for less than a year. Initially registered on 1 March 1995, it was imported to the UK in 2007 and re-registered in June that year. There are five previous registered keepers in the UK.

The Evo III has been treated to a wide range of high-performance modifications, which are detailed in full at the end of this listing. Key upgrades include a Walbro 450lph fuel pump, OS Giken twin-plate clutch, Wilwood big brake kit, S90 74mm billet throttle bodies, D2 coilover suspension, and a Precision 6266 turbocharger.

Finished in a handsome shade of grey, this Evo was resprayed three years ago and remains in good condition overall. The front splitter shows some stone chips and small areas of paint peeling, with a small crack in the front splitter’s central vent also visible. One bonnet vent is slightly discoloured. The photo gallery below provides a clear visual account of the car’s condition. The 17-inch Japan Racing wheels are in good order and – along with the Ralliart mudflaps – give this Evo’s exterior an even stronger motorsport-inspired appearance.

Inside, the Evo’s cabin is largely original, showing signs of age-related wear and staining on the bolstered Recaro seats and rear bench. The rear glass has been tinted, while the vendor states that the rear electric windows are intermittent in operation, with the oil temperature and oil pressure gauges also currently not functioning. The latter are new, so this is likely just a wiring issue. The thin-rimmed Momo steering wheel is worn to a degree of having an appealing patina, while there are contemporary instrument gauges in the centre console, along with a modern Pioneer stereo.

The engine was freshly built in October 2020, and has only covered around 1,500km. Prior to this, the last recorded service was carried out in 2016, when the spark plugs, ignition coil pack, engine oil and filters were replaced. While the engine is ‘bedded in’, the vendor suggests that two more oil changes are carried out in the next 1,500 miles or so to conclude the running-in process.

The most recent MOT test was on 28 November 2020 at 93,591km (58,154 miles). This was a first-time pass, with advisories noting some corrosion on the central brake pipe, wear to the front tyres, a minor exhaust leak, and wear to the rubber bushes on both the offside front track rod end and the nearside front lower ball joint. The wheels are fitted with matching Toyo Proxes tyres on all four corners, and evidently the front tyres would benefit from replacing soon.

Offering an unapologetically intense driving experience, this Mitsubishi Lancer Evo III GSR packs potent performance in a relatively conservative body shell. While there are a few small jobs and foibles to fix, a substantial amount of mechanical modification and upgrade work has already been carried out, which means that this car is ultimately ready to enjoy. An uprated modern classic and now truly thrilling road car, this Evo III GSR could also be a great choice for circuit driving, or even hill climbs and sprints.

Modifications and upgrades

ENGINE

• 2.0-litre long-rod block with 1000CC ASNU Injectors and Walbro 450lph Fuel pump (hard wired)
• Aeromotive fuel pressure regulator
• OS Giken twin plate clutch
• Precision 6266 Turbo
• Oversized Wiseco 1400HD forged pistons
• Balance shafts deleted
• H Beam Bridgeway connecting rods
• ARP 2000 rod bolts
• Cometic 1.6mm head gasket
• ARP L19 Head bolts
• JUN 272 Camshafts
• Supertech +1mm oversized inlet and exhaust valves
• Supertech valve stem seals
• Kiggly Racing Beehive Valve springs
• HKS adjustable cam gears
• Upgraded intercooler K&N air filter
• Heat wrapped custom exhaust manifold
• JM Fabrications Race Version billet inlet manifold
• S90 74mm billet throttle body (Due to the size of the new inlet manifold and throttle body, there was no space for an idle control valve to be installed. This means when the engine is cold the revs need to be kept up so it doesn't switch off. Once it picks up temperature it idles on its own.)
• Hardrace engine mounts
• Straight through 3" exhaust
• Turbosmart 44" external wastegate
• Tegiwa oil catch tank
• Magnecor ignition leads
• Iridium IX spark plugs
• Innovate AFR gauge with BOSCH O2 sensor
• Air-conditioning deleted
• Vi-Pec ECU
• Run only on Shell V-Power and 10W-60 fully synthetic engine oil

WHEELS AND SUSPENSION

• D2 Coilovers
• Wilwood big brake kit with EBC Yellow Stuff pads
• Japan Racing 17-inch wheels with Toyo Proxes T1R tyres
• Ralliart mudflaps
• Billet rear lower control arms

INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR

• Full respray in 2017
• Custom-made centre console and boost controller
• Ralliart carpets
• Battery relocated to boot
• Aerial delete

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