8. James Hutcheson Lancer

The battles between Mitsubishi and Subaru are the stuff of rallying legend, but the car here goes back to an earlier period and it’s a very special example. It’s also somewhat rare in the UK, so it’s great to have it at this year’s show.

James has a particular love for the brand as his dad owned two Mitsubishi dealerships, and he also has two other examples of the marque in his collection. But back to the Lancer, a car he found at a specialist in Gloucestershire and that he bought three years ago.

It’s the model that homologated the Lancer for rallying and was powered by a turbocharged 2.0-litre ‘4G63’ engine producing in the region of 170bhp. It makes rather more than that today, though, and thanks to modifications including a bigger Garrett turbo and a 3-inch stainless steel exhaust that figure now stands at about 330bhp. This is one very quick saloon.

The owner goes on to explain that it was in good condition for its age and pleasingly original, although he adds that its not concours. There are a few jobs to tackle in the future, then, but in the meantime it’s a car that he can really enjoy. It has already been to the Le Mans Classic where it got a lot of attention.

It is easy to understand the appeal to enthusiasts, and with plenty of admirers it is no surprise that it won best Mitsubishi at the Japanese Performance Car Show. It thoroughly deserved the prize, and we can’t help thinking that plenty more awards lie in the future.

The power and performance on offer are certainly impressive, and when you factor in this car’s rarity and rally-bred appeal it really is a bit of a treat.