Gen-1 Mitsubishi Pajero achieves ‘Historic Car’ status

MANILA: The first-generation Mitsubishi Pajero was named Historic Car by the Japan Automotive Hall of Fame, giving the sport utility vehicle (SUV) a step up from its already iconic status.

Per Mitsubishi, the nameplate was granted the honors for its “superb contributions to Japanese automotive history,” with a strong impact in both the recreational off-roading scene as well as the competitive outdoor arena.

The first Pajero — Mitsubishi noted — was launched in 1982 as a full-fledged off-road four-wheel-drive (4WD) vehicle that combined excellent off-road handling with the ease of use of a passenger car.

According to the three-diamond brand the Mitsubishi Pajero “has enjoyed the support of countless customers and established a solid position as one of the leaders of the recreational vehicle and 4WD booms in Japan.”

On that note, a total of 3.25 million Pajero units were manufactured across its four generations until production came to an end in 2021. The nameplate has been exported to over 170 countries and is loved by fans around the globe.

In Japan, Mitsubishi revealed that the Pajero became one of the marque’s iconic series, spawning models such as the Pajero Mini kei-car in 1994, the Pajero Junior compact SUV in 1995, and the Pajero iO compact SUV in 1998.

When it came to motorsports, the Mitsubishi Pajero competed in some of the most popular races such as the Dakar Rally where it claimed an overall victory in 1985 — the first ever for a Japanese vehicle.

Continuing its legacy today is the Pajero Sport, also known in the Philippines as the Montero Sport.

The first-generation Mitsubishi Pajero now sits alongside other inductees such as the Suzuki Jimny LJ10 type (1970), the Honda Civic, the Subaru 1000, and the Toyota Land Cruiser 40 series.

Photos from Mitsubishi

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