I'm not sure this is a build thread, since it was "built" plenty in 1997, so let's call it a "living with..." thread?

Those on the MitsuUSA FB page have sifted through my verbosity far too much of late, so to you guys I apologize. But it is nice to have a place where you can add on to what you've done, and it all stays in one place. Plus, this place is owed more of my time than I've given it in a long time, so its time to pay back...

For many many years I've wanted the Dakar Homologation special edition Pajero Evolution. I researched for a long time, chickened out a couple of times, and finally began the search officially (cash in hand) last fall, in the Japanese Domestic Market (In Canada our grey market imports have to be 15 years old, not 25, like in the USA). Starting in December, I bid on 6 or so pretty good specimens, but didn't win an auction until January. By the end of Feb my Paj Evo was in my garage. Needless to say I've been stoked ever since!

Here's what I ended up with...

1997 Pajero Evolution, Satellite Silver, 5speed auto with 139k kms (86k miles)

This is build number 581 (according to the chassis number) of 2500 made from October 1997, till the end of that year, and then released slowly to the public over the next two years. So you can buy a 1999 PajEvo, but it was made the same time as my 1997. They did it this way, as far as I can tell, to legitimize their T3 category entrants in the 98 and 99 Paris-Dakar campaigns. As a side note, the 98 Dakar was 1st-2nd-3rd for the Pajero Evo, and the Challenger (Montero Sport) rounded out 4th place.

Mine had to go though a rigorous inspection before I could register it, which it passed with zero deficiencies. I've imported three other JDM's, but this is the first that passed with no work to do first. Woohoo!

In terms of condition, it is completely stock, right down to the radio/cassette, except for the wheels, which had been swapped to expensive aftermarket 18"x8" two-piece Bradley Alloys. Too bad, as I really wanted the OE Evo wheels.