This Mitsubishi Pajero Proto Dakar is historically interesting, since it’s from the beginnings of Mitsubishi’s success story in the Rally Raid.
At the end of 1983 Bernard Maingret prepared two Pajeros for the factory in order to participate in the 1984 Dakar Rallye. Both Pajeros were equipped with a Starion 4 cylinder engine, DOHC, turbocompressed 2.5l developing 250 HP. Two rigid axles and the doors & hood in composite.
The two cars were engaged in the Dakar in Group 4 (improved serial production models) and won the first two ranks in their group and finished 3rd and 7th of the overall ranking.
Andrew Cowan, the Scottish pilot finisched 3rd and Hubert Rigal, the French pilot 7th. Rigal’s car joined the collection in the museum in Japan, the here presented car of Andrew Cowan remained in France and was recovered by Hubert Rigal 25 years later.

In 2009 the here presented Pajero Proto Dakar underwent a full restoration (ground-up restoration of body & chassis), during three years Bernard Maingret’s team. The car is complete, in running order and the result of the restoration is exceptional.
The car comes with a French road registration and will be delivered with a certificate of authenticity signed by Dominique Serieys, director of Mitsubishi Rally Art at the time when the car was recovered three years ago.
The paintjob was entirely redone in the livery of the former Japanese sponsor of the team (Mitsubishi Nikon). The TSO sticker from the technical inspection of the race was conserved and the engine still has the TSO lead fixed by the organiser during the 1984 Dakar (prove of the authenticity of this car). This car only shows 15 000 km on the counter, the distance driven during the 1984 Dakar Rallye; the car hasn’t been used since its arrival at Dakar.
This Mitsubishi Pajero Paris – Dakar is now available for sale in France.