Mitsubishi Sigma V3000 [MoT patrol car]
Maker and role
Mitsubishi Motors, Manufacturer
Production date
1987
See full details
Object detail
Accession number
1992.56
Maker
Production period
Description
Mitsubishi Sigma V3000 Ministry of Transport (MOT) patrol car. V6 engine, 147 HP, 3 litres, Manual transmission with 5 forward gears, 1 reverse. Top speed: 195 kph (122 mph). Black and white in colour with red, blue and white flashing lights on roof. Stickers on the side and rear of the vehicle reads, ' Ministry of transport Te Manatu Waka/ TRAFFIC SAFETY SERVICE/ Are you wearing your seat belt? / Drive to survive Choose a lifesaver' On the hood of the behicle has a square/ target hood ornament.
Brief History
This car was one of over 400 supplied to the Ministry of Transport (MOT) for traffic patrol duties. It is painted in the markings used by the MOT's Traffic Safety Service before it merged with the New Zealand Police in July 1992.
Mitsubishi began as a ship-building factory in Osaka in 1870. The word Mitsubishi means 'three diamonds', the symbol used on the cars and company branding.
By the end of the 1980s, the Japanese motor vehicle industry had completely changed the New Zealand motoring scene. For many years the New Zealand car market had been dominated by British, American and Australian cars. But the low price, high quality engineering and electronics of Japanese cars, made them very attractive to New Zealanders. Japanese manufacturers set up assembly plants in New Zealand and, soon after, with the removal of import restrictions, low cost used Japanese cars began to flood the market.
Mitsubishi began as a ship-building factory in Osaka in 1870. The word Mitsubishi means 'three diamonds', the symbol used on the cars and company branding.
By the end of the 1980s, the Japanese motor vehicle industry had completely changed the New Zealand motoring scene. For many years the New Zealand car market had been dominated by British, American and Australian cars. But the low price, high quality engineering and electronics of Japanese cars, made them very attractive to New Zealanders. Japanese manufacturers set up assembly plants in New Zealand and, soon after, with the removal of import restrictions, low cost used Japanese cars began to flood the market.
Marks
Ministry of Transport
MITSUBISHI V2000 Maker's Plate
MITSUBISHI V2000 Maker's Plate
Media/Materials
Other name
Sigma V3000
Credit Line
Mitsubishi Motors. 1987. Mitsubishi Sigma V3000 [MoT patrol car], 1992.56. The Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT).
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