Last Eclipse model to be auctioned for charity in St. Charles

Submitted by Mecum Auctions

Mecum Auctions will sell a special 2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse Coupe SE 3.8L with proceeds to be donated for Japanese earthquake relieve.

After 22 years, this car model is the last production Eclipse to come off the assembly line and the only V-6 to receive the SE package — during its annual St. Charles Auction, which continues through Sunday, Sept. 18 at Pheasant Run Resort, 4051 E. Main St. in St. Charles.

The special-edition Eclipse was custom built by Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. to commemorate the end of Eclipse production and to be auctioned at no reserve with all proceeds to be donated to the Japan Red Cross earthquake relief.

This rare, one-of-one vehicle features a Kalapana Black paint scheme that was selected by the Mitsubishi Facebook community, 18-inch Dark Argent wheels, SE lower side graphics, sunroof, leather interior, 650w Rockford Fosgate 9-speaker audio system with SiriusXM, hands-free Bluetooth phone interface, rearview camera and HID headlights.

Mitsubishi began producing the iconic Eclipse in 1989, selling four generations of the model over the last 22 years. Total sales since production started is 980,000 cars, making the Eclipse the best-selling Japanese brand sports car of the last 20 years.

“Our goal with this Mitsubishi Eclipse SE was to create a very special car that would best honor the closing of this vehicle families’ chapter, built at our Normal, Illinois facility,” said Greg Adams, vice president of Marketing & Product Planning at Mitsubishi Motors North America. “We believe this one-off 2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse SE will become a highly collectible automobile, and we are excited to work with Mecum Auctions to offer it to collectors at their high-energy events.”