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Near Mint: 1978 Plymouth Sapporo

To this day, the Plymouth Sapporo and Dodge Colt Challengers remain two of the more interesting outcomes of the Chrysler / Mitsubishi partnership that materialized in the 1970s. Essentially a Mitsubishi Galant Lambda in drag, this Plymouth Sapporo here on craigslist was marketed as the more luxurious option of the Mopar duo, and with under 80,000 original miles, appears to be in excellent condition. 

Thanks to Barn Finds reader Rocco B. for flagging this one down. Check out that interior – is it cardinal or cherry red? No matter; there’s acres of it. The untorn cloth seats, handsome woodgrain dash, unstained carpets and clear gauges all present the appearance of a car that has been loved. Not surprisingly, the Plymouth is located in Washington state, which seems to attract the oddballs and one-offs from every major brand (and some obscure ones).

U.S. car shoppers were introduced to Mitsubishi’s “Silent Shaft” technology with these rebadged Galants, featuring enhancements designed to quell vibration all while delivering impressive fuel economy. Though a manual transmission was available, this example is saddled with the automatic; therefore, acceleration will be leisurely at best. The engine bay is pleasingly spotless for a car with average miles and hailing from the 1970s.

The rear glass was always one of my favorite features of these cars; it’s almost elegant in a way. Though the Challenger variant may seem a bit more enticing, both of these cars are quite rare today and would be welcomed at domestic and import shows alike. As more enthusiasts come around to the unique styling and models of the 70s and 80s, cars like this Sapporo may receive more attention than they’ve gotten in the past.

Comments

  1. Avatar 71 Z28

    My mother had this cars identical twin. From new it was a giant POS. Blown head gasket twice then proceeded to rot away in record time.

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    • Avatar whippeteer

      Head gaskets at around 60K were pretty common.

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    • Avatar LAB3

      That was the true meaning of silent shaft, you got it the minute you signed on the dotted line!

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    • Avatar Radio Rick

      After so many miles there was a retorque on that head don’t know if it was Chrysler I know Dallas had a dealer Lone Star Dodge recommended

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  2. HoA Howard A Member

    I’ve seen maybe half a dozen of these in my life, and they all seemed to be painted this color. These were great cars, just too soon. In ’78, many refused to have their barges replaced with these types of cars.I think the 80’s really turned things around, but by then, the fenders were falling off of these. Also, the name,,”Sapporo”,, what the heck is that? 5th largest city in Japan, who knew? (Ok, Challenger was one insult, but a Sapporo?) Aaaaanyway, very nice car here, can’t believe it survived, and you know, looking at it today, it really does look like an Asian Chrysler. Great price,,,what about parts???

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    • Avatar Jeffro

      FYI, Sapporo is also a Japanese beer.

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      • HoA Howard A Member

        Ah so,,desu ne.

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  3. Avatar Paul

    I had one of these as a company car for about two-years. Zero problems and a great touring car. Very comfortable, very slow acceleration.

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  4. Avatar dwilson

    I had one of these in the dodge challenger version. 83 technica model. all power and digital dash setup. It also had the voice that told you to turn off your lights and all that good stuff. Actually a great little car other than the sun roof poured when it rained.

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  5. Avatar billy

    Always loved the dash boards on these. I wished that Chrysler would back then transplant that dash into one of their cars, maybe a Turismo or Charger. Then, go whole hog and use the Mitsu 4 speed that had a much better feel then the slushy Chrysler cable units. Not Honda silky smooth mind you, just a vast improvement. I always thought a Dodge Charger (Omni based, not the classic, of course) like that, with a Mitsu inspired balanced 2.5 and a five speed, might be the perfect car, for sure if it had a 16 valve head.

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  6. Avatar John D.

    I had several of these as demonstrators through the early eighties. I preferred selling these to my friends over the TC3/Tourismo because of quality issues.

    I also taught people to drive manual transmissions (mostly girls) on these as the clutch was nice and light and easy to master. With the 5 speed and the 2.6 four, they had nice spirited performance. I sold a ‘new’ 78, that had lay in the port parking lot for a couple years, to my buddy. He was living in Buffalo at the time and his room mate had a new Prelude. I had my friend get the WaxOyl rustproofing on his. A couple years later,the Honda had rust holes where the Sapporo did not. Win for Chrysler Master Shield!

    As far as the heads go, our shop did not have any gasket problems and always recommended frequent oil changes to keep that complicated valve train well lubed. I do know that Quaker State oil had a high paraffin content and the wax would build up in the oil passages and create failures. We used Pennzoil and never really experienced those problems.

    The balance shafts were a Chrysler design to help smooth out the big 4. Porsche even paid Chrysler and Mitsubishi to use them in the 924 and 944.

    All in all, I wish I could get another Sapporo today.

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  7. Avatar XMA0891

    One of the things I love about this site is its ability to continue to dredge up these kinds of vehicles. I have not seen one of these Plymouths in years! Fair to say I’d completely forgotten they’d even existed! Great find!

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  8. Avatar Pappy2d

    Bought a new Sap for my wife in 1980. The “big” 2.6 was smooth, and in 1980, it was somewhat stylish inside and out. Road wheels, and 4 wheel disc brakes.
    The car could not have had lighter duty. Within 50K, head gasket, clutch and proprietary ignition module. (240 bucks).
    No, thank you. One was more than enough.

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  9. Avatar Trent

    I used to love this car…but wound up with a dodge colt E… fml

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  10. Avatar Seth

    Have one of these.
    Great little car.
    Handle really nice on the twisty stuff.
    Turbo version is even better (found a factory Turbo setup to be installed shortly).
    Its the only 4 cyl in my fleet – you have to appreciate it for what it is.

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  11. Avatar David S Betz

    My first car was a 1979 Sapporo…197k miles from a teen ager…i traded it in in 1984 ….it had the 1.6l 5spd ..35mpg and 4 wheel disk bbrakes…wish I still had it

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  12. Avatar Aston

    Had a Sapporo. Solex carb with water choke was bad. Replaced with a Weber . And added pacesetter headers. Nice sleeper.

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    • Avatar Tim

      Sorry people the 78 2.6 litre did not have the silent shaft it was introduced in 79 with the silent shaft I know I personally had the head off my 78 twice no silent shaft

      Like 0

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