Mitsubishi’s fourth iteration of the legendary Lancer Evolution is an important one. The Evolution IV laid the groundwork for some of the brand’s most pedigreed vehicles on the rally circuit, a redesigned 4G63 engine opened up endless possibilities for modification, spawning heavy hitting drag and street cars that snatched records both on and off the track, and the styling served as the inspiration for every Lancer Evolution up until the Evolution X. 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 four cylinder engine 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 legends they’ve dreamed about since the 1990’s. This particular 1996 Lancer Evolution IV GSR is one of the nicest we’ve seen, and with only a few quality OEM plus modifications this Evo perfectly exemplifies the 90’s Mitsubishi spirit. Starting with the exterior, the car is finished in beautiful Mitsubishi Scotia White (W83C). Most of the paint appears to be original, with the attached auction records noting some repair work done to the right side of the vehicle. 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, massive fog lights and prominent front mount intercooler turn heads everywhere and let passersby know this isn’t your average 90’s Mitsubishi. A set of OZ wheels donated from an Evolution VI are a perfect complement to this classic exterior and are necessary for clearing the upgraded Brembo brakes from the same vehicle. 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 Lancer Evolution is no different, and the interior is in fantastic shape. The OEM front Recaro SR3 seats have held up quite well over the years, with no rips, tears or burns on the wild original patterned cloth. Some typical bolster wear is present but nothing to be concerned about. The matching rear seats and door cards are also intact and in excellent condition. The dash is clean, with no cracked plastics, and all buttons and switches work as expected, down to the factory digital climate control. The OEM steering wheel has been replaced with a 3 spoke suede MOMO unit, which feels great as you pilot this rally legend down the road. The OEM instrument cluster displays 151,875 verified kilometres (94,870 original miles) and given the condition of the vehicle it’s clear the previous owner cared a lot about maintaining its original condition. 1996 was the first year for the Evolution IV and with this refresh also came a with a healthy power bump from the factory from 268 to 280 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. Boost comes on strong with no hesitations and is easily monitored thanks to a Defi Racer gauge affixed atop the steering column. An OEM option Ralliart exhaust emits a quiet hum at idle but really opens up that beautiful turbo 4 sound as the Evo screams through the rev range. Shifts through the close ratio 5 speed AWD transmission are short and direct, with no grinds or pop outs. The Evo IV was the first generation of Lancer Evolution to offer Active Yaw Control, or AYC in the form of an active rear differential. This makes carving corners a breeze on or off the pavement! The OEM suspension has been swapped out in favor of a set of D2 coilovers, which also helps eliminate any unsightly wheel gap from this 90's silhouette. Front and rear Ralliart strut tower bars offer additional chassis stability while adding a bit of bling to the engine bay and trunk. If you’re looking for a classic Lancer ready to attack the road or track, this beautiful white Evolution IV shines bright like a diamond and is a beautifully modified example ready to put a smile on any Mitsubishi enthusiast’s face!