Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution I CD9A
Import a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution I (CD9A) from Japan, found at auction, scanned before it ships, and delivered with a report anyone can verify.
- Built in Japan
- 1992–1994
- Engine
- 4G63 2.0 L turbo four, all-wheel drive
About the CD9A
The first Lancer Evolution was built from October 1992 to January 1994. It was Mitsubishi’s Group A homologation car and uses the 4G63 2.0 L turbo four with full-time all-wheel drive.
It is the original Evo and the rarest of the early cars. Few change hands: JDMBuySell had no recorded sales in its buyer’s guide as of October 2026, so each car is valued on its own condition and history.
The Evo I was the base for Mitsubishi’s Group A rally car. It did not win a WRC round, but it finished second at the 1993 RAC Rally and the 1994 Safari Rally. Japanese Wikipedia gives 7,628 cars sold, at 250 PS and 1,240 kg for the GSR. The Evo II that followed gave the Evolution its first WRC win, in Sweden in 1995.
- Power
- 250 PS at 6,000 rpm
- Torque
- 31.5 kgm at 3,000 rpm
- Weight
- 1,240 kg (GSR)
- Gearbox
- 5-speed manual
- Drive
- Full-time all-wheel drive
- Sold
- 7,628
Can a CD9A come in?
Both countries count from the month on the build plate, so a car can become eligible part-way through a year. We check the plate on every car.
Quebec registers right-hand-drive cars only at 25 years. Every other province follows the federal 15-year rule.
US sourcing is planned for 2027, once a customs broker confirms the duty rate on Japanese classics. Enquiries are welcome now.
Which cars roll in next? See the 2027 US calendar and the 2027 Canada calendar.
What to look at on a CD9A
The model-specific weak points we look for in the auction sheet, the photos and the scan.
Rust
Check the rear chassis legs, fuel filler area and arches, the usual early-Evo rust points.
Crankshaft
Worth checking for crankshaft end play, sometimes called crankwalk.
Drivetrain
Worth checking the transfer case and viscous coupling for wear.
Grade
Confirm whether the car is a GSR or RS from the chassis plate.
Cambelt
Ask when the cambelt was last changed.
What we check on every CD9A
The auction sheet, in full
Every line of the original Japanese sheet translated: repair marks, rust notes, interior score.
The build plate
The month of manufacture decides eligibility, so we read it off the car, not the registration.
Mileage against the records
Dash and ECU against the auction sheet and Japan's inspection history.
Flood and accident history
Checked before export, while a claim is still possible.
A full diagnostic scan
Every module read inside the auction's 5-day claim window, so a hidden fault goes back to the seller.
Underneath
Chassis rails, floors and suspension, where snow-country salt does its damage.
What landing one costs: see the worked examples; an enquiry gets you the figure for this car. New to auction sheets? Read how to read one.
What a CD9A costs
Published figures with their source and date. Prices move with condition, mileage and grade; an enquiry gets auction results for the car you want.
| What | Price | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Evo I, built October 1992–December 1993, Carsensor average asking price Carsensor, Oct 2026 | about ¥3.37 million | Carsensor , Oct 2026 |
Figures as published by each source; not offers from us. Landed cost in Canada adds shipping, duty, GST/HST and provincial fees.
CD9A buyer questions
Can I import an Evo I?
Yes. It was built from October 1992 to January 1994, so every Evo I is more than 25 years old and eligible in both the US and Canada.
GSR or RS?
The GSR is the road version, at 1,240 kg with more equipment. The RS is the stripped competition base. Confirm which you are buying from the chassis plate, because some RS cars have been fitted with GSR parts.
Are parts available?
The 4G63 engine is well supported in North America, but Evo I body panels, trim and some drivetrain parts are scarce. Expect to source them from Japan and budget for rust repair on the rear chassis legs and arches.
Want a CD9A?
Tell us the grade, colour and budget. We reply with eligibility for your province or state and what these are fetching in Japan now, and contact you when sourcing opens.