Take me home!

Our first Mitzi...

Mitzi was our first short wheelbase Mitsubishi Shogun 2.5 Turbo. I bought her when we had the heavy snow in January 2010 and I had difficulty getting to work. Having owned an Audi quattro Turbo in the 90s and having worked on a Toyota Hilux I knew that I needed a 4x4 for such occasions, but that I needed something with more ground clearance than the Audi and something shorter, less basic and just, well, nicer than the Hilux.

Scouring the web for cars that weekend I found Mitzi for sale in Suffolk. A fair price, enough power, a proper 4x4 system with lockable centre and rear diffs along with 12 months MOT, so the deal was done. The Market Square in Framlingham saw the handing over of cash for keys and I was all 4x4'ed up!

Mitzi came complete with proper sump guards, a snorkel, turbo boost gauge, big red flaps (!) and a CB radio to go with the standard spec stuff like ABS, cruise control, front and rear heaters, inclinometer, compass, switchable shock absorbers, alloy wheels, sunroof, electric windows and mirrors, central locking etc etc etc.

Through the year Mitzi had two 'hobbies' apart from generally driving around. In the winter months she munched her way through snow and ice without any trouble, always feeling sure of foot and toasty warm inside. Come the late summer, that high up driving position and good ground clearance made her great for combine spotting! 

In May 2013 we bought a newer SWB shogun, a 3.2 DiD, but happily old Mitzi was sold to people from Norfolk who are going to fix her up and keep her on (and off!) the road.

 

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Mitzi's first hobby...
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...playing in the snow!
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As she arrived in January 2010
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Stickers removed
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First attempt at artsy Mitzi
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Door panel sprayed to match rest of her
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Mitzi's second hobby...
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...combine chasing!
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Doesn't she look tiny?
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Summer 2010
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In some farmers yard...
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In some farmers field...
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Finally, August brought...
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...the missing piece...
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...bull bars!
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No one is going to stop us now!
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Mitzi and 'friend'
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Suzy and Mitzi
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For my birthday Suzy...
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...gave me a baby!
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A baby Mitzi that is! ;-)
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Dec '10 - Suffolk, snow and Mitzi
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And again.
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Mitzi crunching through the ice & snow
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December '10, back to the snow
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