While modern performance Lancerevokes images of World Rally Championship battles between Tommi Mäkinen and Colin McRae, a different chapter of the nameplate is now available for collectors. A 1987 Shelby Lancer, distinct from the later Michigan-built models, has been listed on Bring a Trailer. This vehicle represents a specific era where Carroll Shelby applied his tuning expertise to front-wheel-drive Mopars, with this particular unit constructed at Shelby's California operations.
Production of these California-made, turbocharged Lancere was limited to just 1987, with only 800 examples created that year. The manufacturing run was split evenly between manual and automatic transmissions, making surviving units increasingly rare. This specific listing stands out due to its exceptionally low mileage of just 1,500 miles. According to the seller, the current owner's father acquired the car by trading in a 1960s Shelby Mustang and subsequently drove it very sparingly.
Despite its age, the vehicle is equipped with amenities that were advanced for the late 1980s, including air conditioning, power windows, door locks, leather seats, and a factory CD player. Under the hood sits a turbocharged and intercooled 2.2-liter four-cylinder engine producing 175 horsepower and 175 pound-feet of torque. This example features a three-speed automatic transmission; while not the choice for purists, it delivered the same power output as the manual version, unlike later models where automatics were significantly less powerful.
Exterior details include extensive Shelby badging and a plaque identifying this car as number 590 of the 800 produced. The design features a mild aerodynamic package and 15-inch basket-weave rims, maintaining a boxy aesthetic typical of the decade. Finished in red, the only color available for these pocket rockets, the auction is scheduled to conclude on November 3.
Sources: Car and Driver.