This thread will contain famous Cordias, including magazine articles etc etc.

I just finished typing up (word for word) the full story on the LYNMYUP Cordia which featured in the October 2007 edition of Hot4s. (Will get pics up ASAP).

Enjoy!!

Cordias have somehow lost pole position on the list of the perfect first car. With any luck, this purple marvel should have kids scouting the depths of caryards for one of Mitsubishi’s most popular rides ever built.

If you spend enough time on the internet, in budget caryards or perhaps a junkyard, you’ll be able to pick up a 1984 Mitsubishi Cordia for no less than two bills ($2000 if you’ve been living under a rock, the real question is, what’s it like under there?).
The reason the Cordia has lost a little popularity is probably due to the massive drop in retail for S13s and FCs, where an extreme amount of horses is achievable with half the effort. So, why did 25-year-old Sydney native George Ladkany opt for the Cordia knowing that cred’ and power were only a few more notes away?

“I purchased this car in 2001 after my first Cordia was stolen, because I wanted to finish doing it up”, George says. “I paid $4500 and it was in average condition.” So, unfinished business was the motive and perfection is the result. When you’re representing a veteran ride like the Cordia with the responsibility to restore its name back to celebrity status, flawlessness is your only option. George achieves just that with a custom candy purple respray and a candy orange airbrushed artwork of the underworld kind.

Scary, we’d prefer to call it aggressive. Pirates used to paint skulls on their flags to represent death and terror to whoever they chose to torment. In George’s case, his skeleton themed rear-end promotes caution to anyone thinking those 18in Vault Krystals are any indication of the Cordia’s performance.

A 2.0L port and polished, EMS administered 4G63 from a VR4 Galant replaced the old 1.8L mill from the Cordia’s previous life as a shopping cart, or possibly even as your Grandad’s attempt at reliving his misspent youth. Whatever the Cordia used to be, we’re pretty sure it won’t be looking back any time soon, especially with a T04 turbo strapped to it’s custom exhaust manifold.
As a matter of fact, the whole engine bay has been detailed in unison with the paint theme of the Cordia to provide the car with extra show kudos.

So, is it angry? How does 300hp at the wheels sound? Intimidating, we know. Of course, like any outrageous modifier with at least a quarter of his brain intact, you’re generally aware of what’s involved in getting your car’s performance to rub shoulders with the big boys.
A colossal custom intercooler spearheads the Cordia’s campaign for modifier’s glory, while a 3in turbo-back exhaust and high-flow cat provide a deep note that would put Pavarotti to shame.

Weighing in at only one tonne, the Cordia would definitely reign in its weight class. It would also offer George the ability to sling his ride around the track with ease, and that’s thanks to Koni adjustable shocks matched with 3.5in-lowered Whiteline springs and swaybars to sharpen handling.
The only thing George would have had trouble getting used to would be the Exedy brass-button clutch that he chose to work with. Anyone familiar with aftermarket brass-button clutches would agree that your left leg would end up three sizes bigger than your right. If you also use your left leg to jump with, then we predict an increase of four. Please keep in mind that physio-related advice given by Hot4s staff should never replace the guidance of an educated medical practitioner.

Now that we’ve cleared that legal hurdle, let’s dive into the Cordia’s specific body mods. George tried to keep the exterior as symmetrical and clean as possible without having to shave anything off. So, the guards were discretely lipped while the aerial, locks and wipers were removed. And if you’re thinking, ‘Where have I seen that bonnet before?’, well the vents came from an Evo VI.

Here’s where the fun in modifying pre-1985 vehicles really comes to life. For you see, there’s only so much you can do to the car’s silhouette, but inside is where the transformation is more noticeable. If George’s passengers were blindfolded to hide the Cordia’s identity, then thrown inside where they’ll be permitted to see again, there’s virtually no way of telling that they’re in a 23-year-old car – well, apart from the edgy design of the dash that became really popular right after the ‘70s for some reason.

A purple and white re-trim was chosen to dictate the interior aura. As for the overall layout, the design works really well: Purple took care of the accents, which gives the white shad more real estate to pose. This basically suggests that people would rather call it a white interior than they’d call it purple.

Quite frankly, this particular type of trim is flawless. Then again, it was the legendary Master Auto Trim that worked on the Cordia’s interior from its conceptual design to where it is today – genius. Naturally, a reliable array of Auto Meter instruments and Momo accessories garnish the interior perfectly. You then have your heavyweight brands making their compulsory appearance such as HKS’s turbo timer and EMS’s hand controller embedded comfortably in the centre console. And who can look past Pioneer’s 7in DVD/TV unit allowing George to crank up two 12in MTX subs and a set of front and rear 6.5in splits all powered by an MTX monoblock and competition amp.

George said it took him two years and $50,000 to get the Cordia back to auto-idol ranks. The thing is, George still remains positive that a new interior, a bigger set of wheels and an even bigger turbo and engine set-up will suffice the itch that’s been bothering him for the past couple of months.

Well, George, you’ve got our support and we’re pretty sure you guys out there have got his back too.

HOT FACTS:
Owner:
George Ladkany

Year/Make/Model:
1984 Mitsubishi AB Cordia

Engine:
4G63 (VR4 Galant) turbo 2L

Engine Hardware:
Custom engine mounts, ported and polished valves. EMS dual sports ECU, Evo injectors, K&N pod filter, Carter low pressure and two VL fuel pumps, surge tank, Malpassi fuel regulator, polished intake manifold, custom Mick’s Metal Craft exhaust manifold, T04 turbo, custom intercooler, 48mm Turbosmart wastegate with custom screamer pipe, HKS SSQV BOV, Turbosmart E-Boost controller, four coil packs, 3in turbo-back exhaust, 4in chrome muffler with high-flow cat.

Drivetrain:
Lightened flywheel, Exedy brass-button clutch.

Brakes and Suspension:
Front and rear Whiteline lowered spings with Koni adjustable shocks, Whiteline swaybar, custom 345mm front rotors on custom aluminium hat-hubs, four-pot Brembo front brakes, Brembo bads.

Rolling Stock:
18in Vault Krystal rims, 235/30 Falken tyres.

Bodywork:
Custom candy pink with candy orange airbrushed rear-end, locks, rear wiper, wiper washers and aerial removed, custom Evo VI bonnet vents and lipped guards.

Interior Gadgetry:
Custom purple and white interior re-trim (now only seats four), Momo steering wheel, gearknob and pedals. Auto Meter oil, water, volt, boost, fuel pressure, and air/fuel ratio gauges, HKS turbo timer, EMS hand controller.

Stereo Components:
Pioneer 7in DVD/TV, MTX monoblock and MTX amp, front and rear 6.5in Pioneer competition splits, 12in sub in custom boot install.

Special Thanks:
Thanks to my family and fiancée for supporting my hobbies, to all the boys who helped out: Sergio from North West Customs, Mick from Metal Craft, my mechanic Girch, Matt from Race Brakes and, of course, Loui from Master Auto Trim.

Typed by BOOSTU, original story published by Barry Hartono.