There’s something about the early Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution that is so unexplainably perfect. Maybe it’s the years of rally and circuit pedigree, the sporty yet minimalist design, or perhaps it’s the decades of rivalry on the pavement and dirt with the legendary Subaru STi. It’s no surprise this car has such a cult following. While the US market received the Mitsubishi Mirage, an oft forgotten compact FWD sedan, domestic buyers never got to enjoy a “true” Lancer Evolution equipped with a hard hitting 2.0 turbocharged flat-four and close ratio 5 speed manual until the introduction of the Evolution VIII in 2003. Now that they’re legal for import, proper Evo’s have been hitting US shores by storm, giving enthusiasts the chance to own the Mitsubishi they’ve dreamed about since the 1990’s. This particular 1995 EVO III GSR is one of the nicest we’ve seen, and a superbly stock example for any Mitsubishi purist looking for a new addition to their garage. Starting with the exterior, the car is finished in a beautiful coat of Mitsubishi Black Pearl (X08). Most of the paint appears to be original, while a few items on the exterior look to have been professionally resprayed. With a stock exterior example such as this, you can truly appreciate the ingenuity that went into engineering the legendary homologation rally cars of the 1990’s. Signature touches, such as the high rise wing, side skirts embossed with “evolution III” insignia, lifted ride height, and prominent front mount intercooler turn heads everywhere and let passersby know this isn’t your average 90’s Mitsubishi. For an importer dealing primarily with 25+ year old vehicles, we are always pleased to see how well the interiors of these classics have held up. This GC8 is no different, and the interior is in fantastic shape. The OEM front bucket seats have been replaced with a set of black Recaro SR7 reclinable units. These are an awesome, genuine set of Recaros and breathe fresh air into the extremely 90’s interior. The OEM rear seats and door cards are intact and in excellent condition. The dash is clean, with no cracked plastics, and all buttons and switches work as expected. The factory digital climate control is a bit dim, but functions as expected, with cold AC and hot heat. There is some slight wear on the OEM MOMO steering wheel, but this Evolution III has racked up 216,766 km over the years (134k miles) so some light wear is to be expected. Being a 1995 model year, this Evo III received a power bump from the factory from 244 to 270 bhp. In a small, lightweight chassis, this was more than enough get up and go, which is why this particular engine appears to be completely stock. Maintenance stickers on the engine document a recent timing belt service, as well as other necessary maintenance, giving the next owner confidence that this vehicle was well taken care of during its time in Japan. Turn the key, put your foot to the floor, and the iconic 2.0l 4G63 engine springs to life. Featuring a larger turbo than its predecessors, this Evo III takes off like a bullet and attacks the pavement like no other. Shifts through the close ratio 5 speed AWD transmission are short and direct, and the plated limited slip differential helps the vehicle carve corners without a hitch! If you’re looking for a classic Lancer ready to attack the road or track, this beautiful black III shines bright like a diamond and is a beautifully modified example ready to put a smile on any Mitsubishi enthusiast’s face!