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The Red TME mystery finally solved.

109K views 703 replies 111 participants last post by  Darin 
#1 · (Edited)
Ok lads.

I have spent a fair bit of time trying to get to the bottom of the red TME's with red door handles / spoiler blades / black door tops etc. mystery and finally have the answers.

To the community this is perhaps both good news, and not so good news (depending on what your car is).

So, as according to all Mitsubishi literature and archives (I went and asked directly) red TME's with the above mentioned red door handles / spoiler blades / black door tops did not exist.
We also looked through all the parts archives and red door handles or wing blades were never made by Mitsubishi for the TME.

So, how do we have cars with some or all of these and seeming to be original paint?

Well I finally found the answer.

Companies such as MONSTER SPORTS, and some Rally shops (CUSCO also did it a lot with earlier model Evo RS's) bought cars direct from the Mitsubishi factory and repainted them, added some accessories, and then sold them as new cars via their own outlets. Ralliart Pit Workshops also did this a LOT and was one of their major sources of revenue.

MONSTER SPORTS in particular is known for doing this with TMEs and in fact when I was told this I remembered that I had in fact seen some back in the day.
In some cases the cars came with all manner of accessories fitted, or simply all red, a MONSTER SPORT sticker or two and an ECU tune. These cars were still classed as brand new and sold as such with the full Mitsubishi warranty.

Here is the 'top of the line' model, sold like this as a new car with full Warranty. Note door handle and door top colours:



So here's the kicker. If you have a Red TME and it does not have black door handles, white wing blade and or it has black door tops and this all appears original, it will be one of these modified cars and could also possibly not even be an original red TME.
If the model number does not have a 2 at the very end, it is not an original SCP (1 of 212 made). It will be one of several other possibilities.

There were also Evo VI's 'upgraded' to TMEs by these companies (yes interior, mechanicals, bodykit, everything) and also the factory highly possibly during the model cross over period, but generally the body number will reveal what it was/is :mitsi:
 
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#495 ·
I used the 212 figure in a video but it's too late to change that now. I'm not doing another one just for that. I'll add a comment that the figure is currently in dispute. But with the rate they've been crashed and raced and rusted away I bet there are far less than 212 red ones around today.

Apologies if I'm missing something major here but I never bought my TME based on the 212 figure and I'm not sure why anyone would. I thought the whole idea of the TME was to build 2500, 500 in each colour anyway? If it comes down orders placed with the factory then by rights Red should be the most popular colour because it's a flipping Tommi Makinen Edition and that's what Tommi's office was painted. That's the same reason why I wanted a red one today, it's the iconic colour for an iconic car. No way on earth would I have paid more for a black one even if it was the rarest colour. Equally, black ones would only ever be worth more if everyone wanted a black one. They look amazing in black but more people want a red one. Supply is finite, we're just arguing over a tiny number either way compared to something like R32 GTR production (40,000+cars!) and they are going up in value too.

No reason for anyone to get their knickers in a twist about one colour being worth more. An identical Ford GT in 'heritage' colours (gulf blue and orange) is worth over £100k more (seriously). Those that don't like it save £100k so everyone's happy.

If you told me tomorrow that the red TME is the most common colour it would make no difference to me whatsoever. I'd still buy a red one and I'd pay a premium for it. 212 cars or 500 cars built, supply is tiny either way, what affects the price from here on is demand and I'm happy to say that's on the increase and about time too. We need to get it into perspective here. Even if there were 500 red maks built, that puts it on a par with the RS500 Cosworth.
 
#500 ·
To me the doubt in the 212 figure isn't logical. It's the only number we can rely on here since it apparently came from Mitsubishi directly. Everything else is just assumption based on the fact that a lot of them came over to Europe in the last couple of years. But then again they would given the demand and we don't even have clear numbers that say we've breached those 212 yet.. and if I'm wrong here I'd like you to correct me.
Cars there will run out soon and only once we have a written statement by importers saying there won't be any more from japan we can start counting.
For the EPC thing.. I think we've already established that it's more than untrustworthy. Given that my car does exist but also comes up with a build date of 2/1/2000 makes me think that either the site is a chuck full of crap or Mitsubishi indeed allocated a lot of chassis numbers to that date and simply slapped them onto a fitting car once they built one.
I just don't think those numbers are representative.

Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk
 
#503 ·
Sticking to the posts on here by people that actually know something and properly reading the OP (Thanks Antony - good work:)):

1. OP was clarifying that 212 SCP (Special Color Pack - option) cars were actually made, all were red and all had black handles etc out of factory, these were stamped SNGF2 with cp9a-020xxxx serial numbers & R71J paint code. (Some had no-decal option although decals were shipped in glove box).

2. There were lots of other standard TME models made (2000+) and many of these were red: SNGF, cp9a-020xxxx with paint R71H. These were red all over (not SCP option) so like other colours had colour coded handles etc.

3. Monster and others took the TMEs (probably mostly the non-SCP, why would they pay extra for SCP?) and did make overs - speculating that some of these were finished in SCP spec. Any change to the standard TME VIN plate seems unlikely so these are easily identified.

4. Some other cars have been changed to TME SCP spec however this would be obvious on VIN plate unless that had also been changed (maybe some but this would seem very unlikely so these are easily identified).

5. There are lots of real TMEs - which one is your thing I'll leave up to you :rolleyes: I have no axe to grind as I have an even rarer Yellow FQ300 :mhihi:

(So I don't get shot E&OE ... ;))
 
#517 ·
2. There were lots of other standard TME models made (2000+) and many of these were red: SNGF, cp9a-020xxxx with paint R71H. These were red all over (not SCP option) so like other colours had colour coded handles etc.
That is exactly the point matey... Nail on the head, red was available to order but it wasn't "SCP" which gave you the full decals included and the painted pillar frame.

These were then taken and changed by other companies. I am sure this is what Barrie even said over a year ago.... I only say this because at the time I knew nothing really apart from I wanted one that looked like my poster on my wall!

Fog lights brackets can not be bought and are not part of the bill of materials at M:mitsi: however I have one on my "SCP" model..... Extra options are not availabe to add after market I guess?
 
#507 ·
My reading is that TMEs with decals (SCP) never had red handles etc. There is too much other evidence that more red colour coded TMEs were produced.

Getting rid of all the spurious emotional stuff this is the most logical explanation - the fact that Mitsi never had red handles in parts list is surely because they would of been painted to order.
 
#511 ·
Another epic thread! You will never get bored being with MLR :D

Anyway, regarding chassis numbers. Mitsi never allocated them in order. Being member of vcarious Galant/Legnum VR4 clubs we did research on that matter. Y'know, EC5xx is quite rare beast so as owners we did want to know how much were made and what sub-models. Obvious hunt for the rarest beast :angel:
Well, chassis numbers were allocated in batches indicating production time (remember that it's not day and month but 10 days periods IIRC), production line, transmission variants, ancilliares variants and trim variants (even colour of thread stiches used in cloth trim differ in numbers). Numbers were not in consecutive order, in many cases higher number was allocated to older vehicle. And most important, there were hundreds of chassis numbers not used at all, vehicles with that numbers never existed.
IMHO, that's the confusing case of you Red-Mak quest ;)
 
#523 ·
I tried to purchase some from :mitsi: and its not on the bill of materials, so un able to purchase. The ones from the shop maybe aftermarket ones?

Or maybe just the lamps them selves not the bumper and brackets etc.......

Smoking is bad for you :)

As for 20k - I was happy enough paying over that in total, I have mine in a garage no dehumidifier and no chance of it getting stolen while locked away, unless you have the capability to run a brick wall down, a reinforced gate, and a lorry to take the car away because its undriveable :).....

I love driving mine, I had it out loads last year including in the rain, however never in winter... Investment :wallbang: I am spending £1,000's like you say in running costs and insurance and new bits.... I will have to wait at least 10 years before I see any profit and by that time I may want something different like a skyline R34 V-spec ||....... Or sell the car for kids nappies :cry:..... Only investment are the people who can afford to pay £20k and leave it in a bubble for 15 year..... I am not one of those people I am afraid..... And I don't think anyone on here are, "collectors" have too many cars to be on every forum all the time...... Also too much money give me some...

As for polish and cleaning, everyone on this forum should like to keep a clean car, regardless of model.. Subaru's can keep all the dirt, apart from when we are rallying!!!!:handsup:
 
#519 ·
Since all this Tommymackgate stuff, I think I best get mine insured for more now.
Seems to me the grey 8MR may become more sort after than the red tommys, and! they don't rot, or have to be wrapped in cotton wool and you can actually drive them:D

Joking aside I'm sure some have bought the red TM "in now it seems many guises" cos they like the model..the colour..the nostalgia and not purely for investment reasons .
Those that have bought for investment reasons must be deluded if they think they are going to make a stack load of cash in years to come.
So to start with its 15/20k hole in the pocket...then all the trouble of insurance costs...fear of being stolen, the costs of dehumidifiers going at full chat 24/7 to prevent them rotting before thier eyes:D and dare not drive them for fear of getting caught in a shower:cry:...was it all worth it...
 
#524 ·
They will still be worth loads in years to come. So will 5/6 gsr's
How many escort rs turbos were built, they are fetching stupid money, same as sapphire cosworths escort cosworths, E30 325i sports,tidy examples will command decent prices once all the dogs have gone, it remains to be seen if the red maks go as high as, let's say a rs 500 or even a 3 door cosworth,
But the value will definitely go up
 
#528 ·
Ah good stuff :smthumbup cheers Gav.....

I did need a bracket but I made the old one fit with a kink in it :naughty:.....

Ford have a much bigger fan base, so like it always is, supply and demand, not many people actually like :mitsi: hence why we get a bad name for driving just like others in cars not so sexy!!!:cry:
 
#530 ·
UK TME s - Numbers of all colours officially Imported.

I recently asked Mitsubishi UK if they knew how many red Maks had been produced ? ... This may have been prompted by another popular thread !!

Anyway as you can see from the response they can only advise on the ones they officially imported . I always thought it was 50 of each colour , as I believe a few other members did too . So I was quite surprised it wasn't .



I know a lot may have rusted into the big car heaven by now [emoji22]

But mines still alive .... Just ! [emoji1]

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
#555 ·
Like this post in the middle of this mega thread :eek: given I have (IMHO:lol:) best colour and also apparently the rarest officially UK imported TME. Got to love a white one:D

I recently asked Mitsubishi UK if they knew how many red Maks had been produced ? ... This may have been prompted by another popular thread !!

Anyway as you can see from the response they can only advise on the ones they officially imported . I always thought it was 50 of each colour , as I believe a few other members did too . So I was quite surprised it wasn't .



I know a lot may have rusted into the big car heaven by now [emoji22]

But mines still alive .... Just ! [emoji1]

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
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