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Best One Left? 1978 Plymouth Sapporo

Over the last year, more than a few of these captive import re-badged Mitsubishis have popped up for sale, but this stick-shift Sapporo is one of the nicest we’ve seen. Plus, the last few cars were automatics, so the three pedals on this one make it even more appealing. It has under 60,000 miles and is a claimed one-owner example. Find it here on craigslist for $11,700 or go here if the ad disappears.

The Canyon Red paint looks phenomenal and the chrome trim still shines nicely. All four hubcaps remain affixed and all glass, trim and lenses show no signs of damage. The Sapporo is what one would consider the luxurious option of the cars Chrysler brought over to sell under its own nameplates, as the Dodge Challenger occupied the sportier side of the lineup of rebadged Mitsus.

Of course, “sportiness” is relative. These were fuel misers, pure and simple. Quiet engine technology and lots of standard features helped move them off the lot, in addition to much-needed fuel economy in the era of fuel shortages and environmental regulations. Check out the interior – no damage to the driver’s seat, and even the radio appears stock. The manual transmission is a happy sight as is the blemish-free carpet and preserved dash surfaces.

Take it to the bank: no one has ever sat in the backseat. It looks stunning and the partial cloth / vinyl surfaces would likely degrade quickly if abused. The Sapporo will likely never be a huge collector’s item but there is absolutely a market for these quirky rebadged Mitsubishis, especially considering how few are seen today. While the Challenger may get more votes as the one to hold out for, this Sapporo remains somewhat unrepeatable if you’ve been searching for one.

Comments

  1. Avatar Oliver Felix Rojas

    Interesting car with an appealing body and style .

    Like 1
  2. Avatar angliagt Member

    …. and parts available at your local Plymouth dealers…..

    Like 25
    • Avatar flmikey

      …LOL!…took me a second to get that….

      Like 5
    • HoA Howard A Member

      Good one!!

      Like 1
  3. Avatar dgrass

    Nope.

    Like 1
  4. Avatar dgrass

    The seats in these always reminded me of a well used clear plastic shower cap.

    Like 2
  5. Avatar Suttree

    How could you find a nicer car than this one? The price? I’m not so sure about that.

    Like 6
  6. Avatar Bob C.

    I believe these and their Challenger cousin where actually Mitsubishi Galants.

    Like 2
  7. Avatar Lroy

    The best thing about this car is its not a Fiat, the Mitsubishiss that they used to rebage are excellent automobiles. This person deserves an award for keeping the gem in such great condition. Im tempted to buy it just because of the period Alpine stereo tucked in the dash.

    Like 0
    • Avatar Miguel

      I agree with you.

      My girlfriend like the Renegade when it came out but it has a Fiat engine so it is out.

      She also likes the new Compass, but again it has a Fiat engine, so it is out also.

      Anything soiled with the Fiat touch is off the list as a vehicle I cold ever buy.

      Like 0
  8. Avatar Dave Mika Member

    Aah, bumpers you can have a picnic on…

    Like 1
  9. Avatar LAB3

    I’ll never forget being impressed with the fit and finish on these when they came out, no slamming the door to get it shut. Us Detroit boys where not too keen on imports back then, at least it had the right name plate on it.

    Like 1
  10. Avatar Big Len

    All the driving pleasure of a grocery cart.

    Like 0
  11. Avatar DRV

    I think it was the Charger of this body style I liked best. It was a two tone silver with red accents. The grille was red too. Was that the charger?

    Like 0
  12. Avatar John D.

    I had one of these while in college. The 2.6 was the way to go. Here is a picture of me on my fraternity’s gymkhana course, obviously, it needs stiffened up:

    Like 7
  13. HoA Howard A Member

    Great cars for changing times. Brave was the soul that bought one of these in the 70’s. The only reason these sold, aside from great gas mileage, is for some reason, denial perhaps for some that just couldn’t have a Datsun or Toyota in their drive, because it said Plymouth( or Dodge) on it, it was somehow disconnected from Japan. Again, same old thing, they rusted on the way home from the dealer. I remember these with panels and doors gone. It’s pretty odd to see one like this.

    Like 1
  14. Avatar Joe64NYWF

    How did Mitsubishi get past the feds in ’78? – this car & ’78 Challenger are true hardtops, with side rear windows that roll down!!

    Like 1
  15. Avatar Gay Car Nut Tacoma

    Lovely looking car. I remember when these cars were sold. I didn’t know at the time they were Mitsubishi cars. That was when Mitsubishi produced the best looking cars, the 70s and 80s.

    Like 0
  16. Avatar BOP_GUY Member

    Wow!! And I mean that in several ways. I haven’t seen one of these in years. When they first came out, I was about 10 years old, and my Dad and I went to check them out. We were both skeptical about these Mitsubishi/Chrysler products, but impressed by what they were, especially at a time when the Big Three were making poorly made cars. I thought they were so sporty!

    I’m a little shocked by the asking price! Seems a little steep. But I’m sure someone out there will go for it!

    Like 1
  17. Avatar Pacekid

    I bought one brand new in 1980. After trying on most of the econoboxes, (junk). I was pleasantly surprised on the extremely high quality of the fit and finsih. Mine was deep blue metallic with blue cloth and vinal interior. The car was smooth, solid and powerful. I called it a poor man’s Datsun 280 Z. It ran and ran, but like all transportation finally wore out. If this one was bule on blue, I might consider it. That being said, the asking cost seem very close to its new car cost. Did I love mine, YES. Would I spend the same amount of money for a used one, No. As wonderful as my years were with mine, a collecor car it is not. Also good luck getting parts.

    Like 2
  18. Avatar Pacekid

    This is what my blue one looked like. I saw it come in on the transporter truck and fell in love. But after they got it down and I drove it I was hooked.

    Like 5
  19. Avatar Billy

    Price seems very optimistic. Even in this condition there’s no demand for these cars. Good luck to him.

    Like 1
  20. Avatar John B

    What a fine example of a Mitsubishi! I think they were named after the Olympic site that year. And that interior…so nice I’d be afraid to fart in it. We still have my mom’s old Colt with over 200k on it, but some parts are really tricky to find nowadays.

    Like 1
  21. Avatar Pacekid

    The Sapporo means ‘lie the wind’ in Japaneses

    Like 0
  22. Avatar David Miraglia

    Nice.

    Like 0
  23. Avatar Fiete T.

    Nicest one left?
    Still don’t care…

    Like 0
  24. Avatar P Wentzell

    A girl I knew in school had one new, 1978. Both were redheads.

    Like 0
  25. Avatar chad

    “,,,…. and parts available at your local Plymouth dealers…
    no, gone now, 1920s – 2001.

    Like 0

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