Rare Flying Pug: 1998 Mitsubishi Pajero Junior
Have you ever heard of the Mitsubishi Pajero? If you haven’t, the Flying Pug (no kidding, that’s the name) doesn’t mean anything either. The Pajero Junior was a mini-SUV built exclusively for the Japanese market. And the Flying Pug was a special edition with unusual styling (the grille reminds me slightly of the 1958 Edsel) that led to just 139 copies being produced. They were never imported to the U.S., so this one with a right-hand drive must have been brought in by its current or prior owner. If you’ve been searching to own something no one else has, this could be it!
The Pajero Junior was a short-lived model as part of Mitsubishi’s portfolio from 1995 to 1998. It was a “Kei” car, meaning that the Japanese government categorized it as a tiny vehicle eligible to incur lower taxes. To take advantage of a growing desire for vintage English cars in Japan at the time, the Flying Pug was created with a retro look applied to an existing platform. Kind of like with the Plymouth PT Cruiser in the 2000s with its throwback to the 1930s.
Mitsubishi had intended to build 1,000 of the Flying Pugs (which resembled a vintage English taxi), but the styling was lampooned by the automotive press and the company stopped production after 139. They were no ordinary small autos, complete with a full leather interior and cross-spoked aluminum wheels. The cars were powered by a 1094-cc SOHC inline-4 engine that mustered 79 hp. While a 5-speed manual transmission was standard, an automatic was optional and that’s what’s in the seller’s car.
We don’t know the history of this Mitsubishi or how it came to land in Tallmadge, Ohio, its current domicile. At 82,000 miles, it seems to have been well-kept and has just been treated to new tires, battery, and an oil change. The burgundy and black paint presents well, and the seller mentions no issues for the buyer to work through. If you can get used to driving from the right side of the car, this interesting oddity can be yours for $10,900 here on Facebook Marketplace. And kudos to “Ted” for the cool tip!
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Comments
These were also available in the Philippines.
Has an actual lever-operated T-case 🙌
This can’t be a Kei car. Dimensions and displacement are well beyond Kei car limits.
Technically true, but the Pajero Mini it’s based on was a Kei car. The Pajero Junior (and its Flying Pug variant) used the same body but got wider tires and arch flares to cover them, and a larger engine, taking them out of the Kei class. These are all also significantly smaller than the regular Pajero that they were designed to resemble.
Is that a grill or a codpiece?
Cute Car. Probably worth the money.
Just a quick glance at the thumb nail picture and it reminds me of the Hackney carriage in London
It looks like a cross between a London cab, a Fiat Topolino and a Dodge Raider.
Just a quick glance at the thumb nail picture and it reminds me of the Hackney carriage in London this looks to be a fun little toy
This reminds me of the car on the TV show Super Nanny. Definitely be the only one at Cars and Coffee.
I think this car might have sold well in this country. It’s funny how countries hold some cars from the American market cars like this car. Never could figure out why.
Is it about market protection? Maybe someone could elaborate.