Celestial Body

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The Mitsubishi Celeste is one of those cars that today looks really pretty from any angle, and yet its brief period in the sun when new was followed by years of indifference. Few cared about the Celeste, it was just something the lady down the street drove when you were a kid. And like most cars from this era, rust took an abysmal toll. Luckily, some owners really loved their Celestes and that’s why this stunning example survives today. And you can bid to buy it. Read on...

The Celeste was launched in 1975 and like other Japanese sports coupes of the time, took its styling cues from America and then shrunk it down into a more appropriate size for the Japanese market. You didn’t get a V8 but something a bit more efficient in the shape of a small 4 cylinder engine. It wasn’t fast but it looked quick when parked, but this was the important thing: It was reliable, economical and cheap to buy whilst looking pretty cool.

The Celeste was still rear wheel drive but by 1981 things were changing and the Celeste was put out to pasture in favour of the new, front drive Cordia. And that was probably the end of the era of creating compact American inspired cars.

This Celeste is from that final year and assembled by Todd Motors in NZ. It has the big 2L, 105hp engine with 5 speed gearbox along with some 80s styling updates in the form of bigger, plastic bumpers and square headlights. The whole package is very stylish, especially in this shade of blue. The current owner has owned the car for 34 years and they have done the car proud. The exterior looks to have been freshened up while the tidy interior is showing its age. There’s a bit of work to do to bring it up to show standard but it looks like a very solid survivor as it sits.

Japanese cars from this era have become more and more popular in recent years and I see no reason why that will change anytime soon. Gone are the days of picking these up for a few thousand but the Celeste may still be at the more affordable end of Japanese 80s classics. The auction will be online and starts on 20^th August, enough time for you to juggle your finances.

This striking piece of retro Japanese loveliness is being auctioned by Turners Dunedin from the 20^th July. More details here.