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About 10,655 units of Chrysler Conquest were produced for the 1988 model year.
Throughout the 1980s, there were frequent badge exchanges between Chrysler and Mitsubishi. Mitsubishi's products were marketed as Colts, Plymouths, and Dodges by Chrysler, which was mostly a one-way street. These captive imports benefited from Chrysler's brand recognition while also filling holes in the local company's inventory at a low cost. For the first time today, we've seen a Chrysler-branded Mitsubishi, and it's the sportiest rebadge we've ever seen. The Chrysler Conquest, which debuted in 1988, is featured here.
The Mitsubishi Starion was the name given to the Chrysler Conquest in Japan. Mitsubishi produced and marketed the Conquest from 1982 to 1989 as a sporty two-door, turbocharged four-cylinder rear-wheel drive four-seat hatchback. According to figures from 1988, a total of 10,655 automobiles were produced across all models.
Related: Here's What We Love About The 1980s Mitsubishi Starion
For the first half of the 1980s, Chrysler didn't have a sports car in its lineup, although it did market the Mitsubishi Galant Lambda as the Dodge Challenger and Plymouth Sapporo. Those models were phased out in 1983, and the Chrysler Laser, a front-drive sports vehicle, was introduced in 1984. Dodge had its own Laser variant the same year, as did Mitsubishi's Starion (as Conquest), which Mitsubishi sold in North America in 1983. Until 1987, when the Conquest was shifted somewhat upscale for its responsibilities at Chrysler's finest showrooms, the Laser was the company's primary sports product.
All Starion and Conquest models were turbocharged, with inline-four Mitsubishi engines, as befitting their sporty aim. Power was sent to the rear wheels via a four-speed automatic or a five-speed manual transmission, with a displacement of 2.0 or 2.6 liters. Starion was a direct successor to Galant Lambda and was built on a redesigned version of it.
Due to Japanese size restrictions, Conquest came in two different body styles. Early models were all "narrow body," having a width of 66.3 inches. Because of the width (and the 2.0-liter engine), the vehicle was eligible for a lower tax bracket. Mitsubishi made a concession and introduced a wide-body version halfway through 1985, as the Starion had spread out to the American market. The total width increased to 68.7 inches.
The product distinction, however, did not end with the width change. Narrow versions, which lacked an intercooler on the turbo, were now designated entry models. The larger 2.6-liter engine was used in the wide body models, which had an intercooler. ESI-r badges on the Starion and TSi markings on the Conquest denoted the higher-end variants. The narrow body cars were dubbed Technica when the TSi was first introduced in North America. There was a compromise in some markets that didn't get wide-body cars: a more powerful ESI-r grade in narrow body style. Depending on the location, turbocharger, intercooler option, and number of heads, power numbers vary from 150 to 197 horsepower (eight or 12).
For the remainder of the Conquest's life, Mitsubishi experimented with things like wheel lug count and axles. In 1988, the wide body was reduced to 68.3 inches, which was a significant reduction. The car was lowered about two inches the following year, giving it its final appearance. Conquest and Starion were phased off in 1989, with their DSM successors — Plymouth Laser and company — ready for 1990.
Related: Here's What You Need To Know Before Buying A Mitsubishi Starion
The red with black model being offered is said to be in original shape and presented in a very neat manner. The 2.6-liter, 188-hp turbocharged four-cylinder engine in this Conquest is mated to a five-speed manual transmission. This is also said to be one of the Sports Handling Package (SHP) variants that came out late in the wide-body car's model cycle. Adjustable front and rear struts, as well as one-inch bigger factory alloy wheels, were included with this package. The Sports Handling Package was only available for the model years 1988 and 1989.
Air conditioning, factory floor mats, original factory radio with graphic equalizer, bucket seats, center console, pop-up headlights, steering wheel radio controls, and power windows, steering, and brakes are just a few of the many features. The original window sticker, service records, and owner's books are all included with this immaculate Conquest. While the estimated mileage of 34,000 on the odometer is considered exempt, the owner believes that these figures are most likely accurate for the vehicle.
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