From the Classifieds: 1994 Mitsubishi FTO

They say imitation is the finest form of flattery, but we’re not sure what car collectors would think of this Mitsubishi FTO that’s been transformed into a Porsche 356.

If you’re dream car is Porsche’s first production vehicle but you’re on a budget, this beauty described by the seller as “mechanically in very good order the body is a bit rough” will pique your interest.

We reckon a lot more than the $14,990 asking price went into this curious conversion, which includes re-sculpted body work, lights and matching wheels to make it look like race-prepped Porsche 356 from the mid-1950s.

Even the wheels are period correct and while the numberplate with its ‘356’ designation may be worth more than the car itself, it’s almost guaranteed to turn heads.

“It’s the best fun to drive and gets an enormous amount of attention,” writes the seller.

The Porschabishi FTO has a front-mounted engine (with what appears to be an aftermarket air filter), but the striking conversion even mimics the rear-engine layout of the Porsche 356 with vents and grates on the back.

Hooked up to a five-speed manual, the Porsche replica is powered by Mitsubishi’s 2.0-litre petrol V6 engine that made 125kW at 7000rpm back in the day.

With 101,000km on the odometer the 1997 Mitsubishi GTO GP is fair bit cheaper than a Porsche 356, which will regularly fetch big six-figure prices at auction, and some owners have even asked for over $1m.

The Porsche 356 was the brand’s first production car built between 1948 and 1965 and as bizarre as this Porschabishi FTO is, we can’t help but smile when scrolling through the images.

Little touches like the retro fuel filler cap on the rear right side of the car, the mesh-covered headlights that were a signature feature of the era and the leather straps on the (admittedly ill-fitting) bonnet add a huge amount of character to this mid-1990s Japanese sports car.

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