COLT F2000 T he "Colt F2000" that was entered in the 1971 Japanese GP was the last original Mitsubishi formula machine, and it was also the final product of a period of race activities that stretched back to the beginning of the 1960's. The Colt F2000 was based on F2D chassis, and employed the side radiators used in the previous model, but included refinements in aerodynamics. The engine was still based on the R39B, but was now bored-out to a capacity of 2000 cc. This four valve DOHC, in-line, water-cooled unit was the first 2 litre engine that Mitsubishi had ever manufactured and it produced 280 horsepower, which enabled the F2000 to record a top speed of 290 km/h. The 1971 Japan GP was the first time that the GP title had been held for formula cars and, in addition, the regular meeting date in October was changed to May, swapping with the JAF Grand Prix. It was this year that the Japan GP became the biggest race of the season, in reality as well as in name, when a record race crowd of 75,000 spectators attended the event. So it was an unbelievably proud day for Mitsubishi and Japan when the Colt F2000's entrusted to Kuniomi Nagamatsu and Osamu Masuko left all their rivals, including the touring teams from overseas, in their wake as they scored a 1-2 victory before the passionately excited record crowd. This was Mitsubishi's first ever GP title. It also became the retirement performance from a decade of motor racing that started with the Mitsubishi 500 in 1962. Mitsubishi, with the GP title in hand, decided to "retire at the top" in glory, and announced the factory's withdrawal from racing. The factory did, however, continue to supply the R39B engine to private customer teams until the mid Seventies, thus extending the proud Mitsubishi racing legacy a little longer. Major Results: International 1971 Japan Grand Prix 1st BACK

Copyright 1998 by Mitsubishi Motors Corporation.