MK1

 

Launched in the UK in May 1978, the Mk1 Colt Sapporo had been in production in its home market Japan, since 1976 where it was called the Mitsubishi Galant Lambda Coupe. It was launched In the USA bearing two names, either Plymouth Sapporo or Dodge Challenger. The Australian model was called Scorpion..

The Sapporo was a “pillarless coupe” of the Colt Sigma 4-dr saloon, which introduced to the UK a year earlier in 1977. A “Pillarless Coupe”, it shared no exterior/ interior panels or décor with the Sigma, but much of its mechanical set-up was identical or nearly identical to the Sigma, although its dimensions in terms of length, height & wheelbase were different.

Engines for the UK market consisted of the “Astron 80” 4 – cylinder inline unit incorporating “Balancer Shafts” for added smoothness (these shafts basically rotate at twice the engine speed to cancel out inherent noises and vibrations known to 4-cylinder engines). Engines for the US and Aussie markets were broader, including a 2.6 4-cylinder unit (as used in MK1 Shoguns and Lonsdale Models). European & Japan market also had a 1.6 unit “Saturn 80” (same as UK Sigma 1.6 unit).

For these other markets various fuelling/carburetion applications were used but I shall stick with the UK specs, as I do not know the details for other markets. *

There were two variations on the 1995cc models on sale in the UK, the “Colt Sapporo 2000 GSR” which was a 5-speed manual with twin carbs, and the “Colt Sapporo 2000 GSL” which was a 3-speed automatic with a single carb.

In 1978 the Sapporo GSR cost around £5,300 (all In) and the Sapporo GSL around £350.00 extra. There were choices of interior trim including tartan-checkered seats (not to my taste), and some quite stunning exterior metallic finishes (blue in particular).

The Sapporos styling was quite miniature American with its twin headlamps and lashing’s of chrome (Thought even in 1978 as quite dated by the “Obsessed with black plastic trim” British market).

The dashboard consisted of round circular sporty looking dials and the seats were covered in look a like leather (PVC) with material seat inserts (either tartan, grey or tan). It looked quite plush but the quality of the plastics were very shiny & hard to touch. Equipment levels were considered good (for the day), although items such as electric windows / central looking / alloy wheels etc…………were not included.

Options for the MK1 were quite healthy in the form of alloy wheels, leather seat trim, stiffer shock absorbers, electric windows, air conditioning, vinyl roofs and even upgrade carbs and exhaust systems.

Being priced towards the upper end of its class (a Ford Capri 3.0S was around £4,300 & BMW 320 £5,300), the Sapporo was not a huge seller within the UK, but it also had import quota restrictions to contend with as well as the “Japanese ROT Box Image” to deal with (some of that last comment being quite true I’m sure you will agree!!).