Model: CMs Mitsubishi Lancer Evo III
Release: SS:7 Mitsubishi –Tommi Mäkinen Swedish Rally 1996
eBay link: CMs Mitsubishi Evo
Why I’m featuring it: It’s been some time since I’ve been able to add to my CMs rally car collection, which is now up to 50 cars. Only three of those are Mitsubishis, however, which are some of the most sought-after CMs of all. CMs produced some of the only detailed models of Mitsubishi rally cars made in 1:64 until recent arrivals from the likes of Inno64 and Para64.
My new addition is a Lancer Evolution III, as driven by Tommi Mäkinen on the 1996 Swedish Rally (now known as Rally Sweden). Mäkinen, who currently heads up Toyota’s successful WRC team, won the first of four straight WRC Drivers’ titles in the Evo III that year.
The model is pretty much what you might expect from the much-missed CMs: good proportions and lots of detail, offset by fragile plastic mudflaps and patchy build quality (check out that low-lying roll cage!).
I’ve lined it up here with my other Evo III, the Inno64 example that I featured in a roundup of Mitsubishi rally cars last February. The Inno model of a later Evo III used on Rally Australia is of higher quality, but it also cost at least three times as much as the CMs did when new. Note that the Inno isn’t flawless, either – the CMs correctly has the front indicator lenses as clear not orange, for example.
I love these CMs rally cars, imperfections and all, and I’ll continue to pick up more when I see them available. Thanks to my Lamley colleague @willdiecast for this one!
(follow me on Instagram @diecast215)