Before I share my short story, I want to ask what makes you love a certain car? I have my answer, and ultimately, it’s not about its clout or popularity; it’s how I can relate to it.
I absolutely love ‘80s and ‘90s Jaguar XJ models because I have a connection to them. They’ll always remind me of my late grandfather, whom I’ll forever look up to. The same goes for Nissan pickups, which I never seem to be able to get away from. They remind me of my teenage years, when life was carefree.
Last year, during a morning at our local Cars and Coffee event in Northwest Arkansas with my brother, I stumbled upon a Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution. My eyes immediately locked in because I love JDM cars. Of course, I had to ask the owner if I could take some photos of it. Little did I know then that the Pajero would end up meaning a lot to me.
While planning the photoshoot, I did some research on the model. I always knew the Pajero Evolution was a Dakar rally legend, with a 3.5-litre MIVEC naturally aspirated V6 engine producing 276hp and 256lb-ft, and four-wheel drive. I just never knew how rare it was.
For the Pajero to meet T2 (production car) homologation requirements, Mitsubishi had to produce 2,500 road-going vehicles, upon which the rally machines were based. That number reminded me of my hometown’s population. This is where we had to do the shoot.
I grew up in Noel, Southwest Missouri, a town where you drive under bluffs daily and wait 30 minutes on Main Street for the train to pass through. I always got excited when new friends would ask where I’m from, I’d proudly say, “From a beautiful, small river town called Noel, Mo, with a population of 2,000 residents.”
I was reminded of how successful and legendary the Pajero Evolution is, and how deep down I want to be successful, and hopefully a legend in someone’s eyes. Those two thoughts just resonated with me. We both come from small populations, we both had/have dreams, and we are both quirky. One has fulfilled its legacy, and the other is working for it. It drove me to write and share this story, and my hometown was the perfect backdrop.
I’ve fallen in love with the Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution because I can relate to it; it reminds me of… me.
