1982 Plymouth Sapporo from North America - Comments

Carburetor problems caused poor fuel economy: 15 MPG.

Air conditioning system leaked.

Noisy timing / balance shaft chain.

Occasionally the car would not shift into reverse when the temperature outside was cold.

Engine died due to balance shaft chain breaking, which caused the oil pump to quit working while the engine ran.

This was my first car. I got almost 3 years out of it. After a while the balance shaft chain kept making horrible noises at idle. This model is quite small, but comfortable.

The engine would have performed better if it had fuel injection as the carburetor was very complicated. There were way too many vacuum hoses.

The acceleration with this 3 speed automatic was leisurely.

The car eventually died. I took the engine apart to see the problem. The balance shaft chain broke. I was surprised on how thin the chain was. It reminded me of a child's bike chain. If you have a car with a similar engine and it makes noises at idle, get the chains replaced immediately. The engine seemed well-built otherwise.

I liked how the car looked. It sort of looked like a Mustang from the same year. The interior was quite plush for a small car as well.

It is also important to note that this car was actually built by Mitsubishi for Plymouth.

Re: comment made for Plymouth by Mitsubishi. This car has actually taken on many guises around the world. In England it was known as the Mitsubishi Sapporo, and considered a luxury coupe version of the Galant. While in Australia it was known as a Sigma Scorpion and came with a larger engine, and was first seen as a competitor to the popular Toyota Celica.

It seems this partnership with other companies and name changing around the world was common, the Dodge/Chrysler Conquest and Mitsubishi Starion being a good example.

You rarely see any of the Dodge Challenger/Plymouth Sapporo's on the road these days, I've only seen probably one or two during the past 5 years and I think that they're one of the most underrated cars in automotive history, they were definitely better looking than the Mustang of those years too, anyways good luck with what you decide to do on your Sapporo.

I'm 15 years old and I just got a 1978 Sapporo. It seems to be a great little car and it's 5-speed manual transmission shifts super smooth. The only problem I've had with it is something shorted out and it wouldn't start (I still started it by pushing it and jumping the clutch). But I got it fixed no problem for around 80 bucks at the local mechanic. I'd recommend it to anyone because it's just a fun car to drive.

I just bought a 1981 Sapporo. I have owned many cars in my life, including a 1979 Opel Manta. This is one of the best cars I have driven. Mine came super, super, super clean as it had been mechanically and visually restored. I just need to find a good carburetor. Any suggestions?

There are many sites dedicated to the motors these cars used,

a popular choice is swapping the stock carb for a Weber (32/36 I believe, correct me if I'm wrong)

I had an opportunity to purchase a Challenger (with 2.6l 5spd) a few years ago, but passed because I knew nothing about them. If the same situation were to happen today id jump right on it. I would possibly try a turbo swap from a Starion.

Sapporo...would be a really great name on an exotic car! Or a true high performance Chrysler.

I own a near-mint 1980 Dodge Challenger with 74,000 original miles. The car is equipped with the 2.6 litre "G54B" engine, 5-speed transmission and factory air conditioning. The car is gold over metallic brown with a buckskin tan vinyl and red plaid cloth interior. It is 100% stock and original.

While somewhat odd looking, (one either loves them or hates them), it is a wonderful car and is an absolute joy to drive.

I am the original owner of a 1981 Dodge Challenger which now has 170,000 miles on it. Red and silver. No air conditioning. Manual transmission. 2.6L. The car has been faithful. Bad gas (?) prevented it from holding idle once. The gear shift knob mechanism was replaced after shifting became very difficult. That was 10 years ago, and it looks like the same thing is happening again. One wheel bolt on the right rear wheel has broken. The car has never needed anything major. The water pump is a replacement, as is the alternator. The muffler became a Midas after a broken clutch cable necessitated a tow---which broke the tailpipe. In driving, I have experienced a couple of fishtails. One time during a rainstorm on a rushed left turn. The other time was also a left turn done right after a roofing truck dropped some oil on the road. I wonder if this car is sought after by anybody near Los Angeles. I am thinking of giving it up to the state buyback.

Don't you dare give it to the state buyback program. These Plymouth Sapporos are almost extinct, especially here in So. Cal. The California legislature is trying to take our automotive hobby away slowly, but surely with their oppressive emissions laws. I only know of one Sapporo. It is a beautiful red 1978 model near my office in Tarzana, Ca.

I am trying to sell my 1983 Plymouth Sapporo. I know there has to be a collector out there that would want it. Does anyone have any suggestions on where I can find that person?

HabenM@aol.com.