In the quaint town of Samangaon, Nashik, an automotive relic of yesteryears is making headlines, but not for the reasons you might expect. A 1999 Mitsubishi Pajero, a proud specimen of the vehicle’s second generation, finds itself on the brink of being scrapped, sparking a unique opportunity for off-road aficionados and DIY daredevils. Priced at a mere INR 60,000, this potential beast of an off-roader is up for grabs, albeit with a catch – it’s missing its heart, the engine.
The Pajero in question, boasting a third owner and an automatic transmission, comes with everything but the diesel engine. Prospective buyers can look forward to acquiring spare parts including alloy wheels and the body shell, making it an enticing project for those with the vision and resources to breathe new life into this classic. However, the absence of the diesel engine poses a unique challenge, prompting suggestions from the online community on potential powertrain replacements, like the adventurous idea from user 13_hopes to drop in a 2.0 RWD Innova Type 1 petrol engine.
The decision to scrap this once-coveted vehicle has sparked a range of reactions from the Indian automotive enthusiast community. User aarav.2201 lamented the scrapping as a testament to the limited number of true car aficionados in the country, while ramesh_dhandaulat reminisced about the days when the Pajero would have been the envy of the town.
Introduced in 1991, the second-generation Pajero was a complete overhaul from its predecessor, offering new designs in four different versions ranging from Metal Top and Canvas Top Convertible to Semi High Roof and High Roof Wagons. The model remained in production in India as the Pajero SFX until 2012, and was also assembled in Colombia from Complete Knock Down parts up to the same year. The latest generation continues to sell under the Montero badge, but for enthusiasts with a penchant for the classics, the opportunity to own a piece of automotive history – and the challenge to restore it – might just be too good to pass up.
