The 1980s 4x4 That Beat Land Cruisers in Dakar - at Half the Price

Vintage Japanese off-roaders have gotten expensive. A clean 60-series Land Cruiser that cost about $12,000 in 2020 now trades between $35,000 and $50,000. But another 1980s 4x4, built to the same spec with a stronger racing record, still sells for a fraction of that. Americans could buy it new from Dodge dealers, under a badge that hid its true identity.

The Mitsubishi Pajero debuted at the Tokyo Motor Show in October 1981 and hit showrooms in May 1982. It was sold as the Montero in North America and Spain, and the Shogun in the UK. Chrysler imported the three-door version and sold it through Dodge dealers as the Raider from 1987 to 1989, just three model years, with roughly 8,000 units per year.

Chrysler's purchase of AMC in spring 1987 made the rebadged Mitsubishi redundant next to Jeep, so the Raider was canceled after 1989.

The Pajero won the Dakar Rally outright in 1985, just three years after its showroom debut, with Patrick Zaniroli and Jean Da Silva taking first and Andrew Cowan second. It was the first Dakar win for any Japanese manufacturer. The company later added overall wins in 1997, 1998, and seven straight from 2001 to 2007, twelve total, more than any other maker.

Those later cars were prototypes, but the streak started with a truck anyone could buy.

The Pajero came with equipment no Japanese 4x4 had offered before: turbo diesel, power steering, suspension seats, independent front suspension with double wishbones, and ventilated front disc brakes. It also had a factory inclinometer and standard skid plates. 0-liter V6 around 139-143 hp.

com records an average FJ60 Land Cruiser sale at $31,888, with good examples at $35,000-$50,000. First-generation Pajeros average just $7,220, and 1991 models, the last and best-equipped, average $10,625. The highest recorded Pajero sale is $24,870, still below the average FJ60 price.

A 1997 Pajero Evolution sold for $100,388 in May 2026, suggesting the market may be waking up. Mitsubishi also restored the actual 1985 Dakar winner for the 40th anniversary.

Both trucks are body-on-frame with low-range transfer cases and solid rear axles, but only one has a Dakar overall win. The Pajero's massive global sales keep parts easy to find. Land Cruiser money buys a reputation; the same capability with a deeper racing record is still available for far less.