Passion to Perfection: José Velez’s Journey with His 1995 Mitsubishi Mirage

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JOSE VELEZ

MITSUBISHI MIRAGE 1995

Instagram: @Jose.velez.7547

Photographer: One-way studio

Instagram:  @onewaystudiopr

A Lifelong Love for Cars: From Childhood to Mastery

My passion for cars began when I was just 13 years old, and now, at 50, that love has only grown stronger. I’ve always been drawn to the stance and track style, and my journey into car culture started with a memorable trip to a car show in Puerto Rico. My uncle, Mr. German Sanchez, and his friend took me in a white 1985 Nissan Sentra, completely modified with Alfa Romeo gear and Honda Accord wheels. The car even had nickel-plated components from a Mitsubishi Galant. That experience opened my eyes to the world of car modifications and ignited a passion that would shape my life.

By the age of 15, my mother gave me my first car—a cream-coloured 1981 Ford Laser. The first thing I did was cut the springs to lower it, almost to the ground. This was the beginning of my journey into car customization. I started studying automotive painting and practised on my Ford Laser, eventually painting it white to match the Nissan that had inspired me. I then experimented with fibreglass, creating a body kit for a 1987 Mitsubishi Mirage Turbo. After finishing school, I opened a shop in 1998 called Impact Auto Design, where I specialized in body kits for various cars. Many of the designs were born from my imagination. Although the shop no longer exists, my love for creating unique cars lives on, as seen in my current project—a 1995 Mitsubishi Mirage.

The 1995 Mitsubishi Mirage: A Unique Build

From Humble Beginnings to a Turbocharged Masterpiece

Of all the cars I’ve built, this 1995 Mitsubishi Mirage holds a special place in my heart. It’s not a car you often see on the streets, which is part of what makes it so special to me. When I bought this Mirage, it was practically a shell—it had no engine, wheels, or tyres, and the paint was completely worn out. I paid just $200 for it, but I saw the potential that others might not have.

My motivation to build this car came from a previous project I had started in 2016—a blue Mitsubishi Mirage that I was forced to sell just before finishing. The loss of that car stuck with me, so when I saw this red Mirage for sale on Facebook in 2023, I didn’t hesitate. I quickly bought it and began assembling the factory 4G15 engine. From there, I crafted custom fibreglass bumpers inspired by the 1993 Mitsubishi Cyborg and added side skirts from a 1997 Mitsubishi Technica. I also created a rear glass visor and spoiler, painted the car, and bought new rims and tyres.

The build didn’t stop there. I wanted more power, so I teamed up with my friend Javier Ramos, known as “Kike de Mec,” to install a turbo with an intercooler. After the turbo was in, I customized the hood to resemble that of an Evo 3 and fabricated a carbon fibre ram air intake for the front bumper to improve engine cooling. The interior received just as much attention, with custom-made gauge bases, painted plastics, and vinyl upholstery in red, grey, and black. The trunk was also overhauled with fibreglass panels, red paint, and a carbon fibre floor. To top it all off, I installed an air suspension system adapted from a Lancer D2.

What Makes My Mirage Unique

This Mirage stands out because it’s a 1995 model, a car that’s rare on the streets of Puerto Rico. No one else has modified a Mirage in the same style as mine, making it the only one like it at local auto shows. You’ll find many Mirages on the drag strip, often used for racing with 4G63 engines, but few have the stance and custom work that mine does. Everywhere I go, my car attracts attention, and that’s what makes it unique to me. I only drive it to auto shows, and when I do, I never turn on the radio—I prefer to listen to the engine’s sound. It fills me with pride and joy, knowing that all the hard work has resulted in something truly special.

Build List: The Details Behind the Masterpiece

Engine and Performance

• Engine: 4G15 Turbo

• Turbo: GT28 turbine

• Air Suspension: Adapted Lancer D2 for the Mirage

Exterior Modifications

• Rims: JNC 17x9.5

• Body Kit: Custom fibreglass, inspired by the 1993 Mitsubishi Cyborg

• Spoiler and Rear Glass Visor: Custom fiberglass

• Splitters and Ram Air: Carbon fibre

• Hood: Custom fiberglass, designed to resemble an Evo 3

Interior and Trunk

• Upholstery: Vinyl in red, grey, and black

• Trunk Panels: Custom fiberglass, painted red

• Trunk Floor: Carbon fibre

The Team Behind the Build

While I did much of the work myself, I couldn’t have completed this project without help. My good friend Kevin Sierra was instrumental in making this car a reality. The mechanics were handled by Javier Ramos, also known as “Kike de Mec,” while the upholstery was expertly done by Fredo Covers. The incredible photos were taken by Juan Carlos Lopez from One Way Studio.

Future Plans and Shout-Outs

What’s Next for the Mirage?

Looking ahead, I plan to build a 1st-generation 4G63 turbo engine and install a 6-point roll cage. These additions will take the Mirage’s performance and safety to the next level, making it even more impressive on the track and at shows.

Special Thanks

I want to give a special shout-out to Juan Carlos Lopez from One Way Studio (Instagram: @onewaystudiopr) for the amazing photos. A big thank you also goes to my friend Kevin Sierra (Instagram: @kevinsierra637) for his continuous support. I couldn’t have done this without the help and encouragement of my friends and family.

The Dream Car: Mitsubishi EVO 5

If I could own any car, it would be the Mitsubishi EVO 5. It’s the ultimate expression of what I love about cars—style, performance, and a history of motorsport excellence.

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