More than 150 examples of the Australian-built Mitsubishi Magna descended on the company’s former Tonsley Park manufacturing site in Adelaide last weekend to mark the nameplate’s 40th anniversary.
Convoys of Magnas, including Verada and Diamanté variants, drove from all over Australia to visit their spiritual home, where the marque was produced in the hundreds of thousands between 1985 and 2005.
Mitsubishi Motors Australia Limited product PR manager Adam Davis said it was incredible to think that every single one of the vehicles assembled in the former manufacturing facility, and many more in the surrounding space, would have had its body assembled on the exact floor where the Mitsubishi classics assembled for group photographs.
“It’s hard to believe, but 2025 marks 40 years since the very first TM Mitsubishi Magna rolled off the assembly line at the Tonsley Park factory in Adelaide,” said Mr Davis.
“2025 also marks 20 years since the final Magna rolled off the assembly line to be replaced by the 380.”
Event organiser Andrew Wrigglesworth, who led a team of volunteers coordinating the vehicles on display, also spoke of how thrilled he was by the turn-out for the event.
“When I first floated the idea [to Mitsubishi], I said that I hoped we’d get 25, maybe 30 cars to come,” Mr Wrigglesworth told Retro Rides.
“18 months of preparation and planning ended up giving us over 150 cars and 500 punters, which made for the most wonderful community spirit I’ve ever experienced at a car show.”
The mid-size Magna was developed as a replacement for the Mitsubishi Sigma and produced over three generations at Tonsley Park. The vehicles were based on Japanese platforms but were extensively reengineered for the Australian market and conditions.
Moving from four-cylinder to V6 power and adding a wagon variant and all-wheel drive along the way, the Magna grew with each generation to become a genuine rival for the Holden Commodore and Ford Falcon.
The Australian-made Magna was also exported under various guises to various countries including the USA, UK, NZ and Japan.
Attendees at the MMAL-sponsored event were treated to a rousing speech from multiple Australian Rally Champion and Mitsubishi rally stalwart Ed Ordynski, who shared many great Magna memories.
The Hon Leon Bignell MP also shared his thoughts on the importance of Magna and Tonsley Park to the South Australian economy.
Awards were also presented for the highest kilometre car, lowest kilometre car, best modified car, and best original car, while Magna tragics were rewarded with some special insights from former Chief Designer Dennis Nicolle, engineering boss Lee Kernich, and recently retired Magna Project Manager Owen Thomson.
“MMAL was proud to support Andrew Wrigglesworth and his expansive volunteer team to deliver this epic event – and we believe 50th anniversary planning is already underway,” added Mr Davis after the event.
