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It might not bring the highest price of the 45 vehicles on offer, but the red
1981 Mitsubishi Sigma 'Wherrett Special' sedan going under the hammer on Monday
(June 7) is already the ‘torque’ of Shannons Melbourne Winter Auction.
One of only 500 produced between March and July 1981, this special edition of
the four cylinder 2600cc Mitsubishi GH Sigma sedan was built to the
specifications of Australian journalist and the host of the ABC’s ‘Torque’
television motoring show, Peter Wherrett.
Wherrett had complained in a review about the handling of the production GH
Sigma and was taken to task by Mitsubishi’s then-Chief Engineer Graeme
Longbottom. Over lunch, Longbottom challenged him to do better. “Give me a car
and I will,” Wherrett retorted.
The result was a more sporting and much more driveable Sigma. So impressed
were Mitsubishi that they put the car into limited production.
Wherrett was given the prototype, but sold it some years ago when garage
space was at a premium. But in a fit of nostalgia, he went in search of another
example and found what he is convinced is the best remaining example in
Townsville.
The one-owner Sigma 'Wherrett Special' with its five speed manual gearbox was
in excellent condition, but Wherrett made it better, returning it to the
original specification he presented to Mitsubishi. This meant replacing the
Recaro seats with SAAS equivalents (which were unavailable in the quantity
required at the time of build); substituting adjustable Konis for the Monroe
shock absorbers, while the car now sits on Pirelli P600 tyres – the modern
version of the original P6 rubber.
Air conditioning and a tow bar have been fitted to make the Sigma a very
useable day-to-day car – or is it a classic? The car will be sold with current
Queensland registration and a Victorian roadworthy certificate, with Shannons
expect it to sell in the $5,000-$7,000 range.
All 45 vehicles and 12 items of automotive memorabilia in the auction are
available for inspection this weekend (June 5-6) at Shannons, 321 Warrigal Road,
Cheltenham, from 9.00am-5.00pm.
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