A special Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IV is heading to auction later this month.
The 1997 Lancer Evo was once used by the late World Rally Champion, Richard Burns.Â
Fresh from refurbishment work, the Mitsubishi will be sold as part of the Bonhams MPH auction on 11 December.Â
Not a normal company car
Richard Burns drove for the Mitsubishi Ralliart World Rally team between 1996 and 1998. He took his first WRC victory with the works outfit, winning the 1998 Safari Rally.
As part of his role with Ralliart, Burns was given the use of ‘P66 MRE’ as his company car. Owned by Mitsubishi Ralliart Europe, the Lancer Evo IV was also used for road tests and reviews by various motoring magazines.Â
Robert Reid, Burns’ long-serving co-driver, made use of the Lancer Evo IV later in the duo’s time at Mitsubishi. Reid has been able to add provenance to ownership history of the car, cementing its importance.
The pair moved to rival team Subaru in 1999, taking the World Rally Championship in 2001.
Evolution of the species
First launched in 1996, the Lancer Evolution IV introduced major changes for the performance saloon.Â
The 2.0-litre turbocharged engine was rotated 180 degrees, with Mitsubishi’s trick Active Yaw Control for the all-wheel drive system made standard. All versions made use of a five-speed manual gearbox.
Compared to previous versions, the Evo IV gained extra weight. However, the standard power output was increased to 276hp, with a substantial 260lb ft of torque.Â
GSR versions, like the one being auctioned, came with large PIAA front fog lights, OZ Racing alloy wheels and Recaro sports seats.
Refurbished and ready to roll
After Burns and Reid left Mitsubishi in 1999, the car was sold into private ownership. Rather than being stored away in a collection, P66 MRE has racked up more than 126,000 miles since.
More than £28,000 is said to have been spent on the car, including a complete engine rebuild in 2012. Printouts from Group B Motorsport, which undertook the rebuild, show an impressive output of 350hp. Â
Extensive work covering the engine, running gear and bodywork was undertaken between 2019 and 2020. This cost more than £11,000, with a complete respray last year at a further £3,100.
An iconic example
As the first (and only to-date) English World Rally Champion, Richard Burns’ place in motorsport history is assured. Tragically, the driver died from a brain tumour in 2005, aged just 34.
His use of this particular Lancer Evo IV makes it hugely significant, adding to its overall desirability. The substantial amount of recent maintenance and refurbishment work furthers its appeal.
This is reflected in the pre-auction estimate given by Bonhams, suggesting a price of £50,000 to £60,000.
Due to be held at Bicester Heritage on Saturday 11 December, the Bonhams MPH sale also includes a Plymouth Superbird and a BMW 3.0 CSL.
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