My Mitsubishi Galant VR4

It's almost impossible to recall a time when the streets lacked compact turbo-charged cars, their progress accompanied as often as not by a percussive "doof doof" soundtrack.

Though their primacy is now challenged by ultra-competent front drivers like Volkswagen’s Golf GTI, those all-paw idols -- Subaru's WRX and Mitsubishi's Evo remain urban and rally legends.

Winding the clock back before all the fully sick, ram raider clichés -- before, so to speak, Evolution -- this class of car was a something of an elite niche in Australia, appreciated by rally fans and aficionados like Vince Bartolo.

Acquiring his 1991 Mitsubishi Galant VR4 was logical for a "die-hard Mitsubishi fan". "Having owned factory Sigma Turbos and Wherrett Special Sigmas it was only natural that I fell in love with the Galant VR4 when released in Australia," Bartolo says.

"I remember seeing a black one in the showroom in 1991 and I said to myself one day I will buy one. That dream came true in 1995 when I found this example in The Trading Post. I paid top dollar for it but it was worth every cent as it took me months to find one in black."

The sixth generation Galant was used in Group A rally competition between 1988 and 1992, winning several events in Europe. It also took out the Asia-Pacific Rally Championships in '88, ‘91 and 92), and the 1992 American National GT Championship.

That run ended after '92 when Mitsubishi replaced the Galant with the smaller Evo (retaining the Galant's engine/transmission) and Subaru likewise shifted down to the Impreza from the Legacy. The road going version was made available in Japan, North America, New Zealand and here.

"In the last 16 years of owning it I have tracked it at Eastern Creek, used it in car shows and also used it in weddings," Bartolo says, though he seldom drives it. "I want to preserve a piece of Mitsubishi history. These things are rare and that is the most rewarding thing about it."

So what you see here is as "original as possible". The factory rims have been restored to their former glory, he car's been lowered and fitted a mandrel bent exhaust with a "factory looking twin pipe muffler".

A front mount Evo Galant intercooler has also been fitted to replace the factory unit. The inlet manifold was changed to the Japanese cyclone version and boost is now a respectable 14 psi. The only other mods are a Momo steering wheel and gear knob

"It's a real pleasure to drive and has above average performance," Bartolo says. "I love the fact that it’s rare and you never see them on the road, especially in good original condition. The best part about it is that I don't know anyone else who has one. Makes mine even more special. I love the look of it and it’s a great sleeper.

"It's old enough to be considered old school and modern enough to have all the latest features which are not found on cars made today, like 4wheel steer and rear wiper on a sedan. It's a modern classic."

Mitsubishi Galant VR4 Turbo

Price Now: $15,000
Price New: $44,990
Engine: 4G63 2.0-litre, in line four turbo; 148kW/279Nm
Body: Four-door sedan
Transmission: 5-speed manual; all-wheel-drive

Did You Know: Only 315 of the Galant VR4's were sold in Australia.