1989 Mitsubishi Debonair V 3000 Royal AMG

CRAZY JDM #15

This is the Mitsubishi Debonair AMG. And yes, I know what you're thinking - This car was designed with aerodynamic capabilities of a house brick in mind. I know you're also thinking of another thing about this car but that's for later. For now, take in the fact that this was a slow car. It contained Mitsubishi's first ever V6 but it was front wheel drive and once badged as a Hyundai just so they had a limo for the Seoul Olympics. 

BUT WHAT ABOUT THE OTHER THINK I'M THINKING OF?

Which other thing? I don't read minds like that. ...Okay fine then, time for the elephant in the room. Or more realistically; The world famous tuning company in the roomy brick which is about as fast as an elephant. I may be exaggerating it a bit there but you must remember Mitsubishi was known more as a sewing machine company as opposed to the 4WD rally lords they became later. In an attempt to solve this AMG was hired. The real AMG. So did AMG turn it into a majestic, power-sliding beast? No. Too predictable. They decided to not touch the performance at all. Instead they bolted on a bodykit & plastered AMG badging like a contagious disease so no one would be the wiser. Except people noticed and nobody bought it. Not that it really mattered as a replacement was on the way at this point - now with styling by Hyundai! This wasn't the end of the AMG-Mitsubishi partnership though. There was one other car, but that's for later.

HOW FAST?

About as fast as Hyundai's limo for 1988 Seoul Olympics. But with a V6.

148bhp

0-60 in 10.8 seconds

112mph

MORE PHOTOS PLEASE!

The rear featuring a glorious spoiler & exhaust.

BEEP BEEP COMPUTERS! A contender for the most 1980s centre console.

Okay, I think it's safe to say the interior of this car is perpetually stuck in the 80s.

Promo pic. Spot the AMG badges (there's at least 4 in this picture alone).

Despite the lack of performance. The AMG looks 1000% faster than the regular model.

CAN I BUY ONE?

If you want one so you are either a fan of 'Gorilla' - a Japanese crime drama which features this car or that interior has got to you. It is quite old, allowing it to bypass some import restrictions and prices haven't risen that high. However it is rare. Rarer than any other car on this blog so far. This car is almost unobtainable. Fans of 'Gorilla' may be sad but this is the truth. 

CRAZY JDM RATING!

Silly styling? YES

Silly engineering? NO

Silly idea behind it? YES

●●◦2/3 Although it's not the most bonkers JDM, it's close.

1989 Mitsubishi Minica Dangan ZZ

CRAZY JDM #7

This is the Mitsubishi Minica Dangan ZZ. It is a kei car, a Japanese specification of car with limited size and power. No rules on turbos though, resulting in this 'fast' Minica. It is the first production car to have a 5 valve per cylinder engine if you're interested. This is one of many crazy versions of the 6th generation Minica, there was a tall one called the 'Toppo' and an asymmetrical one called the 'Lettuce'. At least 'Dangan' means bullet.


IS IT TOO POWERFUL TO BE A KEI CAR THEN?
It may look like it but no. It still has a tiny enough engine with a fair amount less than 100hp, but it's turbo,  4WD and accelerates like a bullet compared to other kei cars. So it's still an official kei car.

HOW FAST?
It's a kei car made before regulations got a bit more lax so it won't be too fast.
63bhp
0-62 mph in 8.9 seconds
93mph

MORE PICTURES PLEASE!

Asymmetric grille almost exclusively found on kei cars.

Rear view.

Next up, the Minica Toppo. They should've called it the Minica Topple.

The adorable Minica that replaced the 1989 model had a retro trim, looks like a London taxi.

Now that I'm running out of Dangan ZZ pictures here is another weird Minica, the lettuce. That's its actual name. No joke.

CAN I BUY ONE?

It all looks quite good. Is it cheap? Yes (£2,000 to £6,000)! Is an older model past the US import cap? Yes! Is it very rare and thus almost impossible to find spare parts for? ...yes.

CRAZY JDM RATING

Silly styling? NO

Silly engineering? YES

Silly idea behind it? YES

●●◦2/3 Although it's not the most bonkers JDM, it's close.