Hidden Treasure: 1983 Mitsubishi 4WD SPX Truck Found in Junkyard

The 1983 Mitsubishi Truck: A Fascinating Piece of History

Mitsubishi’s Forte small pickup was introduced in 1978, and quickly caught the attention of Chrysler, which then began selling the Forte in North America under various badging. As Mitsubishi’s first vehicles arrived in the United States in 1983, including the Cordia liftback coupe, Tredia sedan, Starion sports car, and the Truck, they ignited interest among American consumers. Today, one of these pioneering Mitsubishis has been found in a Denver self-service car junkyard, marking a significant piece of automotive history.

This well-preserved August 1982 build date Truck stands as a rare gem in the Mitsubishi Motors history. With earlier build dates than other 1983 models, this pickup may have been part of the first shipment of Mitsubishis to arrive at San Pedro port. Notably, even the discovery of one of the original Camrys sold in North America pales in comparison to this find, solidifying its significance.

While commonly known as the “Mighty Max,” a closer inspection reveals that the official name for this truck was “Truck,” available in various sub-designations. As Mitsubishi fully embraced the Mighty Max trim level as the model name for all the Forte/Triton-based pickups it sold in the U.S., the 1983 model included only the 2.0-liter engine, rear-wheel-drive, and four-on-the-floor manual transmission at the base level. Notably, this specific 1983 Truck is a 4WD SPX with automatic transmission, featuring the 2.6-liter Astron SOHC four-cylinder engine, illustrating its luxury status.

Moreover, the Dodge-badged Ram 50 version of the Truck remained available through the second generation of the Forte and the 1994 model year, despite competing directly with Chrysler’s own Dodge Dakota once it debuted in 1987. Despite this, the Truck stood as an intriguing option for buyers.

At age 40, this Mitsubishi Truck is visibly worn and coated with layers of flat-black rattlecan paint, but its significance in automotive history remains intact. As it ultimately meets its end in a junkyard, this first-year Mitsubishi Truck still represents a remarkable piece of automotive engineering.

Lastly, the oil-burning first-year Mitsubishi Truck, known as The Turbo Diesel, reflects the innovative approach that defined Mitsubishi’s early vehicles. Additionally, the price of a loaded ’83 SPX was nearly double that of its Mighty Max sibling, signaling Mitsubishi’s focus on promoting the entry-level model.