1G Prototype Being Crushed?

[DogWhistle]

I hope this story is not accurate, but someone on DSM Nation (FB) reported seeing a 1G factory(?) prototype in a scrap yard in Illinois.

Story was posted on FB and here’s the link:

MNM (Minnesota Mitsubishi) | Just saw some horrible news on the DSM Nation Facebook group | Facebook

Just saw some horrible news on the DSM Nation Facebook group. The Mitsubishi Factory MOD events in Normal, IL use to display a prototype 1990 Eclipse convertible with 13 miles on it. MOD ran for 11...

www.facebook.com

 

[19Eclipse90]

Looks like it.

Here’s a good thread for photos to compare:

M.O.D., Normal, IL. 2010!!!

Here we go! Very good turnout this year. All pics are click-able for enlargement. See if I snapped your car!You must be registered to see element.You must be registered to see element.You must be registered to see element.You must be registered to see element.You must be...

www.dsmtuners.com

 

[DogWhistle]

A few years ago there was a member who bought a convertible prototype. Can’t remember if it was the 1G or 2G, but he posted pictures from the conversion process by an outside vendor. Does anyone remember this thread?

 

[19Eclipse90]

Vehicle profile:

Talon G1

1990 Eagle Talon TSi AWD specs, photos, build thread, horsepower numbers, and timeslips. Browse, like, comment, and share with other DSM enthusiasts.

www.dsmtuners.com

Thread where member @Fireraven began sharing info about it:

Convertible 1990 Talon TSi AWD

Just thought I'd share a pretty cool find. The roof looks pretty hacked out but all in all awesome looking and could probably get a functioning roof done for pretty cheap. 6k original miles also!You must be registered to see element.You must be registered to see element. (Sorry if this is...

www.dsmtuners.com

First post about it here:

Convertible 1990 Talon TSi AWD

Nowadays they crush prototypes. Completely gone forever.Just so you guys know, that absolutely is the same prototype car. It just had a real convertible top fabricated for it. So it's not just for looks.

www.dsmtuners.com

 

[Stapl3]

A few years ago there was a member who bought a convertible prototype. Can’t remember if it was the 1G or 2G, but he posted pictures from the conversion process by an outside vendor. Does anyone remember this thread?

I've been hunting for that thread with no success. The car was for sale locally here (Detroit) on craigslist for like 9k or something I think. I was super on the fence of grabbing it but deep down knew Id hate being 'the librarian' of it. If I remember right, it started life as a coupe and immediately a shop was hired to make it a convertible, meaning it's not as authentic or amazing as it seems. When for sale on CL it had a newer convertible top on it. It sold within a couple days and someone was on here with it.

Only thing that catches my eye is the front bumper/lip.

 

[19Eclipse90]

Guess I’m not following. Fireraven’s car is not the same car in the scrap yard from your original post.

Only thing that catches my eye is the front bumper/lip.

That would be nice to have, as mint condish as one will ever find in the wild anymore.

 

[miliman13]

People argue about it never being road legal like that’s gonna stop anyone from cloning a 1G with a VIN to this particular prototype!! I’ve seen people buy a shell with no title and put the VIN from another car that was wrecked and not reported.

 

[DogWhistle]

Looks like it.

Here’s a good thread for photos to compare:

M.O.D., Normal, IL. 2010!!!

Here we go! Very good turnout this year. All pics are click-able for enlargement. See if I snapped your car!You must be registered to see element.You must be registered to see element.You must be registered to see element.You must be registered to see element.You must be...

www.dsmtuners.com

Guess I’m not following. Fireraven’s car is not the same car in the scrap yard from your original post.

Now I’m the one not following. Supposedly Fireraven’s car was 1 of 1. How do you know for certain this is or isn’t his car?

 

[pauleyman]

Fireravens car is a talon. The scrapped car is an eclipse. They are two different cars. They may have been produced by the same guy. The guy in the thread posted above.

 

[bastarddsm]

That appears to be the one from the plant. At the last MOD the Mitsubishi guys at the plant said those prototype cars were going to the California location. There was a 89 n/t, and I think a spyder as well.

 

[pauleyman]

That appears to be the one from the plant. At the last MOD the mitsubishi guys at the plant said those prototype cars were going to the california location. There was a 89 n/t, and I think a spyder as well.

Curious how it played out. A friend of mine was the engineer that helped Rivian setup the plant and that's been awhile. Anything mitsu shouldve been removed from that plant years ago. Maybe it was stored locally. There was one more car ive seen on person but I haven't been to the plant since the 90s.
It was this car if I recall.

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[DogWhistle]

Fireravens car is a talon. The scrapped car is an eclipse. They are two different cars. They may have been produced by the same guy. The guy in the thread posted above.

That appears to be the one from the plant. At the last MOD the mitsubishi guys at the plant said those prototype cars were going to the california location. There was a 89 n/t, and I think a spyder as well.

Thank you for the clarification. Above comment deleted now that identity is established.

Still hurts to see a prototype meet such an end.

 

[19Eclipse90]

Fireravens car is a talon. The scrapped car is an eclipse. They are two different cars. They may have been produced by the same guy. The guy in the thread posted above.

Basically the same thing I was going to post, but with one correction.

I’m not sure I’ve ever mentioned it on here or posted this before, but a fact I'm sure most people do not know is the prototype vehicle at the plant was actually a Laser to start. As we all know, a few exchanged trim pieces can make it appear as something else quite easily. Here's the underhood vehicle information code plate / VIN plate from the plant's 1G convertible display car:

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VIN = 4P3CS44U2LE000308 = Plymouth. 1990. FWD to boot. Also cool to see the plate actually show the KM215 transmission as the original equipment. But, yeah, reviewing Fireraven’s posts, his is an AWD Talon (VIN first two digits “4E”).

That would be the easiest way to verify it was the same car in the scrap yard but I doubt whoever took those photos posted (@cgendron ?) grabbed a picture of that tag.

 

[TerminalTalon]

What do you think all the parts intact would fetch? Almost perfect headlight housings, hood, fenders, etc. That’s what hurts me. All the stuff could be on someone’s car.
Also, I’d drive that thing all day.