It’s not the first time we’ve featured used Mitsubishi Pajero models for sale on the website. Most of the time, it’s the Evolution models that fetch a strong price tag, and it’s no surprise given its legendary status.
However, it seems that first-generation models are creeping up in value as well. Over in US where it was called the Montero, one recently sold for over a million pesos. Box Pajero owners, take note.
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Featured on Bring A Trailer (BaT), a 1990 Mitsubishi Montero LS V6 fetched for $18,500. Converted to local currency, that would be P1,078,643 at the time of writing. Browsing through past BaT auctions for first-gen Pajeros, it looks like a record for non-Evo classic models.
Of course, this isn’t some garden variety Pajero/Montero. This particular unit has stayed with the same family for 35 years. Lovingly cared for and meticulously maintained, this Geneva Green example still looks fresh. Sure, there’s minor pitting on the chrome metal bumpers, and there are a few dimples on the body, but we say it adds to the charm and patina to the SUV. At the time of its sale, it had 83,000 miles or about 134,000km.
As this is a US version, this SUV comes saddled with a 3.0-liter, 12-valve V6 paired with a four-speed automatic. Mitsubishi fans will know this as the 6G72, and while it’s a brawny unit, its output of 143hp and 228Nm won’t be setting any speed run records.
But unless it’s the later Evolution models, the Mitsubishi Pajero was never made for outright speed. The first-gen model came at a time when the term Sport Utility Vehicle had yet to be coined and had true off-road capabilities. Which is we’d gladly have the dual-range transfer case, limited slip differential, skinny all-terrain tires, and towering ground clearance over eye-popping horsepower and torque figures. All in all, it’s a solid, clean, and honest example of the breed. It’s not perfect, but it has its charms.
We’re rather amused that the seller kept the ‘window sticker’ from 35 years ago. The Montero LS V6 carried a base price of $19,499. Options added to this unit included air-conditioning, alloy wheels, an AM/FM radio with a graphic equalizer, floor mats, cargo package, and a spare tire cover.
The final price was listed at $21,626, a significant sum back in 1990. For perspective, the price is the equivalent of about $52,563 once adjusted for inflation. Convert that to pesos and that’s around P3.1-M in today’s money. Well, Pajeros were never ‘cheap’ cars to begin with, and the classic models won’t be going down in value any time soon. Time to buy one before prices skyrocket.
