Mitsubishi's 3000GT came with spoilers that moved by themselves
At speed, the 1990s Mitsubishi 3000GT automatically extended its front and rear spoilers, part of a package that also included four-wheel steering, all-wheel drive, adjustable suspension and an exhaust with sport and touring modes. In one magazine test the 34,000-dollar car beat a far pricier Acura NSX to 60 mph.
Sold in Japan as the GTO, the car borrowed that badge from a 1970s Galant coupé, which had borrowed it from the Ferrari 250 GTO. Mitsubishi feared enthusiasts abroad would object to a Japanese car wearing such a famous nameplate, so export versions became the 3000GT, while Chrysler sold a restyled twin as the Dodge Stealth. All were built on one line in Nagoya from 1990 to 2000, taking on the Supra, 300ZX and RX-7.
The Stealth caused a stir in 1991 when it was chosen to pace the Indianapolis 500. The United Auto Workers objected because it was made in Japan, so a prototype Viper led the field instead, though race winner Rick Mears still took home a Stealth.
Performance came from a 3-litre V6. In North America the range ran from a 164-horsepower single-cam engine to a twin-turbo version making 300, and a facelift raised that to 320 along with a six-speed gearbox. European cars got bigger turbochargers with cooler running temperatures for sustained Autobahn speeds. Road tests recorded 0 to 60 in under five seconds for the best examples, though the cars were heavy and tended to understeer on track.
Oddities abound. A retractable hardtop Spyder, converted in California, was the first fully automatic folding hardtop sold since the 1959 Ford Skyliner. Japan got a stripped-down MR version that shed the clever gadgets to save weight. A limited run of 30 honoured Franz Beckenbauer, painted Lamborghini yellow with a signed plate and a car phone. As prices rose the gadgets disappeared one by one, the active aerodynamics vanishing after 1996.
Source: Mitsubishi 3000GT
