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Mitsubishi Motors Marks 50th Anniversary In UK With Cotswolds Rally
Mitsubishi Motors in the UK is marking its 50th anniversary with a series of special events. The main national event is a 100-mile rally through the scenic Cotswolds on September 21. Starting at Mitsubishi Motors' head office in Watermoor, Cirencester, the rally will conclude at Badminton House, a venue tied to Mitsubishi through a 25-year sponsorship of horse trials.
Applications for the Golden Jubilee Tour opened in May and are limited to 50 spots, closing at the end of July. Enthusiasts nationwide have shown great interest, with entries from owners of vehicles spanning each decade and model sold over the past 50 years. Mitsubishi Motors is still encouraging applications, especially from those with rarer models like the Lonsdale and Tredia or unique customer stories.
Jack Morris-Marsham, one of the company's founders and an ex-Managing Director and Vice-Chairman, will kick off the rally in Cirencester. Details about the rally and how to apply can be found on their website: www.mitsubishi-motors50tour.co.uk.
Apart from the national rally, many of Mitsubishi Motors' 110 dealers across the UK will host local celebratory events. These celebrations aim to raise funds for two charities: the British Heart Foundation and the British Red Cross. This initiative adds a philanthropic touch to the anniversary festivities.
In November, a new club celebrating The Colt Car Company and Mitsubishi Motors in the UK will be launched at the Classic Car Show at NEC. Stephen Blackburn, son of founder David Blackburn, is setting up this club. A stand for a five-car display has been allocated for this event.
Historical Background
The Colt Car Company was established in 1974 by David Blackburn in partnership with Mitsubishi Corporation to import and sell Mitsubishi passenger cars and light commercial vehicles. Initially selling models like Celestes, Galants, Lancers, Sapporos, and Sigmas, it quickly became a major car brand in the UK with annual sales between 30-40,000 units. Although vehicle sales stopped in 2021, Mitsubishi Motors continues to have a strong aftersales presence under International Motors.
The company has received numerous applications for their Golden Jubilee Tour from customers nationwide. They are particularly interested in entries featuring rare models such as Lonsdale and Tredia or those with unique customer stories.
The rally's starting point at Watermoor underscores its historical significance as it is linked to Mitsubishi's long-standing sponsorship of horse trials at Badminton House. This connection highlights Mitsubishi's deep-rooted ties within various communities over its five-decade presence in the UK.
The celebration also includes efforts by local dealers who are organising events aimed at raising money for notable charities like the British Heart Foundation and British Red Cross. These local events add another layer of community involvement to the anniversary celebrations.
Stephen Blackburn’s initiative to launch a new club dedicated to The Colt Car Company and Mitsubishi Motors during November’s Classic Car Show further cements this milestone year for Mitsubishi Motors in the UK.
This year marks not just an anniversary but also celebrates decades of automotive history intertwined with community engagement and charitable efforts by Mitsubishi Motors in the UK.
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