Ex-Richard Burns Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution V up for auction

A very special Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution is coming up for auction next month. Part of the Race Retro Classic and Competition Car Sale, the 1998 Evo V was first owned by the late rallying champion Richard Burns.

With an incredibly low mileage, and fresh from a comprehensive recommissioning process, the Mitsubishi could set a new world record for this model when sold by Iconic Auctioneers.

A reward for rallying success

After progressing through the rallying ranks, Richard Burns became a driver for the Mitsubishi Ralliart World Rally team in 1996. He drove for the outfit until the end of 1998, taking his first WRC victory with Mitsubishi on that year’s Safari Rally.

That 1998 season saw Mitsubishi claim the WRC Constructors’ title, with Burns playing a key role. He was rewarded for his efforts with this Pyrenean Black Lancer Evolution V, wearing the ‘S500 TMR’ registration number. 

Burns signed for the rival Subaru World Rally Team for the 1999 WRC season, meaning he only had limited time to enjoy the Lancer Evo V. However, it remained part of his personal car collection. 

In 2001, Burns would become the first Englishman to win the World Rally Championship. Tragically, he died as a result of a brain tumour only three years later, aged just 34.

Driving constant improvement

Produced only between January 1998 and January 1999, the Evolution V pushed the performance of the Lancer saloon further than ever before. 

Its 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine gained an updated twin-scroll turbocharger, taking output to 280hp, along with 275lb ft of torque. A five-speed manual gearbox feeds power through Mitsubishi’s all-wheel-drive system, which is combined with Active Yaw Control.

On the outside, the Evo V came with widened bodywork, an adjustable aluminium rear spoiler, larger 17-inch alloy wheels and Brembo brakes. 

GSR models, like the car up for auction, benefited from Recaro sports seats, climate control air-con and a three-spoke Momo steering wheel.

Fresh from years of storage

Following Richard’s death, the Burns family kept the Evo V as part of a special Burns Collection. The current vendor acquired it from Jo Burns (Richard’s sister) in February 2020. At the time, the car had just 789 miles recorded on its odometer, having been kept in storage for almost its entire life. 

Being stored had taken its toll on the Evo V, however, and the vendor spent a considerable £16,500 on recommissioning work. Undertaken by Auto Torque in Buckinghamshire, the restoration process has been fully documented, and is said to have been completed to OEM specification.

After the work was finished in May 2021, the Lancer remained in the vendor’s private collection, with the odometer creeping upwards by a fraction to 794 miles.

An icon of motorsport history

As it was only produced for a single year, finding an original Mitsubishi Lancer Evo V is already a difficult task. 

Tracking down one first owned by a rallying legend, and with an incredibly low mileage, is therefore a unique proposition. 

Iconic Auctioneers has given this Lancer Evo V an estimated sale price of between £80,000 and £100,000. However, given how special this particular car is, the potential to go higher into six figures seems very possible.

Accompanying the Evo V will be a host of memorabilia, including an original V5C document in Richard Burns’ name, along with a memory stick of photographs and some magazine cuttings. An RB-branded baseball cap, found in the glovebox, will come with the car as well.

A potential record-breaker

For comparison, last year saw an ex-Colin McRae Subaru Impreza STi 22B achieve £480,500 when sold, setting a new world record. 

An earlier 1997 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IV, also used by Burns but with a much higher mileage, failed to find a buyer when auctioned by Bonhams in 2021. 

We’ll have to wait until the Race Retro Classic and Competition Car Sale on Saturday 24 February to see the final price achieved for this road-going rally car.

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