Some cars of the past are best forgotten, and today they are “rare for a reason.” But others are good cars, even cool cars, that have fallen by the wayside, such as the Pick of the Day, a 1983 Plymouth Sapporo 2-door coupe.
This Sapporo is in sparkling original condition, having been owned by a single family and driven a paltry 13,500 miles, according to the North Royalton, Ohio, dealer advertising the apparent time capsule on ClassicCars.com.
“This has to be the nicest 1983 Plymouth Sapporo on the planet,” the dealer says in the ad. “Stunning all original Beige Crystal Coat paint. All original paint and body! Beautifully detailed from top to bottom! Immaculate undercarriage! Newer tires and batteries.
“Just recently serviced and in excellent running condition.”
The Sapporo was a so-called captive import, spawned in an alliance between Mitsubishi and Chrysler, which sold quite a few of the Japanese automaker’s products with its own branding. The Sapporo and its near-twin, the Dodge Charger, were based on the Gallant Lambda (yes, Chargers were for a time built by Mitsubishi), and sold in the US from 1977 to 1983.
These were sporty, good-looking cars that sold in decent numbers, but they are mostly all gone and long forgotten, aside from such anomalies as this. They were designed to be driven daily and used up, as most were. Why was this one essentially never driven but stashed away like some pricy exotic? Weird, but there it is.
The name Sapporo, by the way, comes from the Japanese city on the northern island of Hokkaido, in a region famous for its beer and winter sports, serving as the site of the Winter Olympics in 1972.
But this Sapporo has never seen a winter day or any other kind of inclement weather, according to the dealer, and is “a true cream puff” in near-perfect unblemished condition.
“Meticulously cared for since day one. extremely clean inside and out,” the dealer adds.
The Sapporo is powered by Mitsubishi’s sturdy 2.6-liter inline-4, an engine used worldwide in a variety of applications. The engine is hooked up with a 5-speed manual transmission, definitely the best setup.
Some pictures in the ad show the coupe wearing its original steel wheels and hubcaps, while others show it with custom rims. Both sets come with the car, the dealer says.
This very unusual survivor is priced at $21,900, and whomsoever buys it should drive and enjoy.
To view this vehicle on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.
I’m interested in your 1983 Plymouth Sapporo. Could you please contact me regarding it’s availability. Thanks
Contact the seller: https://classiccars.com/listings/view/1522446/1983-plymouth-sapporo-for-sale-in-north-royalton-ohio-44133
Just wanted to know if everything works..any issues with the car
Contact the seller: https://classiccars.com/listings/view/1522446/1983-plymouth-sapporo-for-sale-in-north-royalton-ohio-44133
Couldn’t disagree more with your last statement, “… should drive and enjoy”. This car should become a trailer/show queen for all to enjoy such a time-capsule. Every mile put on her will devalue her… until all you have is another disposable import.
Agree John!
The Dodge version was not the charger but the Challenger because I got one in 1983 and it was a blast to drive.
I concur about the charger it was not a charger but a challenger I had a 78 version fun little car to drive
Hey Ron. Re. The Charger in your article is a Dodge Challenger . I still have a 79.
So nostalgic color and all, My very first used car I bought back in 1988 and I loved everything about her.