Mitsubishi built a hardtop coupé version of their Galant from 1978 -1984, with a facelift in 1980. In Europe they called it the Mitsubishi Colt Sapporo (named after the venue of the 1972 Winter Olympics), while in the USA it was badged as a Dodge Challenger or Plymouth Sapporo. There were two trim levels – the GS/R which had a five-speed manual gearbox and twin carburettors, plus the GS/L which made do with a single carburettor and had an automatic gearbox. The engine was a 2-litre straightfour with a chain- driven single overhead cam and eight valves which drove the rear wheels. There were ser vo'd disc brakes all round (which was quite something at the time), along with power steering and lavish internal equipment.
I first saw one when I went to the 1978 Motor Show with my dad. I was 13 years old at the time and the Sapporo was the craziest thing I had ever seen; it just fascinated me. Dad was into his cars and always open to things that weren't mainstream, so he was quite impressed with it too. Not to the point of buying one, but it just stuck in my mind and years later when I was getting married and needed a cheap car to run around in, I thought I'd see if I could find one. I ended up buying a GS/L, an automatic, and I loved it. This would have been in
