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Colt Lancer is an example of small, economical and cheap cars that Japan manufactured and imported in increasing numbers to Western markets in 1960s and 1970s. Economical meant small engine capacity and hence, little power. Cheap meant low-tech solutions like leaf springs on rear.
However, low-tech is also more robust and reliable. While low power output prevented success in faster European events, long distances and difficult conditions in Africa were more favourable for Colt Lancer. As in Aesop's famous fable of the Tortoise and the Hare, faster opposition would speed away only to lose time with problems while slower Mitsubishi kept going at steady pace and eventually catch up and get past.
To be fair, Joginder Singh's two Safari wins were also due to quite a bit of luck but given how important Safari was to Japanese, that mattered little.
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| Debut WRC event: | Safari 1974 |
| Best WRC result: | 1st by Joginder Singh in Safari 1974
1st by Joginder Singh in Safari 1976 |
| Rallies contested: | 0 | (works entries) |
| WRC starts: | 0 | (works entries) |
| Outright wins: | 2 | 0.0 |
| Podiums: | 2 | 0.0 |
| DNF's: | 0 | (DNF's to starts ratio 0.0 %) |
| Points scored: | 87 | (manufacturer championship points) |
| Avg points per rally: | 0.0 | |
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| Group and class | Group 2 |
| Engine |
| Location: | Front longitudinal |
| Turbo: | No |
| Cylinders: | 4 in line |
| Valves: | 8 |
| Bore x stroke: | 76.9 x 86.0 mm |
| Cubic capacity: | 1596 cc |
| Power: | 165 hp |
| Torque: | 165 Nm |
| Compression ratio: | 11.0:1 |
| Dimensions |
| Length: | 3965 mm |
| Width: | 1525 mm |
| Height: | 1400 mm |
| Wheelbase: | 2340 mm |
| Weight: | 1100 kg |
| Transmission |
| Drive: | RWD |
| Gears: | 5 |
| Sequential: | No |
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Safari specification car, note the handles on rear window, these allowed co-driver support if he had to climb there to lend weight for traction.
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