The 1980 Dodge Challenger Was A 2,500 Lbs HEMI powered RWD Japanese Marvel That Americans Failed To Understand 

"Margin Of Error" (marginoferror) 12/22/2015 at 11:25 • Filed to: FORGOTTEN CLASSICS, FC, ESSAY

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The Dodge Challenger is legendary because of its first iteration, the 1970 model and for its crazy modern Hellcat version, but between the two existed a very interesting version, a lightweight Japanese RWD coupe powered by an HEMI 4 banger. Travesty you say ? Wait a minute, this might have been the best Challenger ever.

Welcome to Forgotten Classics

As demonstrated in the !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , the goal of this series of essays is be to bring cars that are getting no love back in the limelight. FC is also a thorough analysis of why such cars remained obscure and never got the praise they deserved.

Thanks to the 1973 oil crisis, Chrysler LLC decided to kill its halo performance car, the Challenger, in an effort to preserve its brand equity for the future.

That future came 3 years later. In lieu of a thirsty muscle car from Michigan, Chrysler introduced a sophisticated subcompact RWD coupe made by Mitsubishi cars of Japan. Tipping the scale at only 2,500lbs, the base 105hp 4 pot mated to an Aisin 5-speed transmission was enough to experience what we like top call oversteer . As a matter of fact, the JDM Mitsubishi Galant Lambda was already becoming increasingly popular on the emerging Japanese tuning scene.

But the piêce de résistence of the Challenger was its exclusive optional HEMI engine. A derivative of Mitsubishi’s 2.6L Astron 4-banger, the HEMI was the largest production 4 cylinder engine of its time. It featured an exclusive shaft balancing technology that was later licensed by Porsche.

The second gen Challenger was not intended to be a track day queen but rather a personal luxury coupe. It featured a state-of-art cassette player, custom upholstery, adjustable bucket seats, leather wrapped shifter and steering wheel and plenty of gauges the keep the pilot busy. The second gen Challenger cabin was a very nice place to be.

Despite all these qualities, the second gen Challenger was a complete failure. The North American market was not ready for such a forward thinking vehicle and it was sadly the entry-level models that accounted for most of the sales. Plymouth a version of the car too, the Sapporo. Oddly named after a beer company, the Plymouth version was more conservative in its approach and featured stuff like a vinyl half-roof and burgundy velour interior. It sold just as poorly.

Both cars were phased out after the 1983 automotive season and were replaced with FWD-based atrocities that would define Chrysler for the following 20 years. It’s a very sad story because Chrysler had a game changer with the second gen Challenger. Poor marketing and dealership incompetence are largely to blame for this debacle.

Thank you for reading.

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dogisbadob > Margin Of Error 12/22/2015 at 11:31

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I love the 78-83 Challenger/Sapporo! The best generation Dodge Challenger!!! I’ve been saying this for awhile and people give me shit for no reason.

Too bad the new ones aren;t more like this generation. Also sad how awesome Mitsubishi used to be, and where they are now :(

Thank you for this piece :)

Tom McParland > Margin Of Error 12/22/2015 at 11:33

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Great post! Very interesting.

Margin Of Error > dogisbadob 12/22/2015 at 11:33

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Thanks for the positive feedback, this is my last FC piece of the year (after a long hiatus).

Justin Hughes > Margin Of Error 12/22/2015 at 11:33

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A friend of mine in high school had one of these Challengers. I don’t remember seeing another one before or since. I do remember riding with him as we left all of our classmates behind the day the entire senior class skipped morning classes and went out to breakfast instead.

Margin Of Error > Tom McParland 12/22/2015 at 11:34

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You are welcome good Sir

Margin Of Error > Justin Hughes 12/22/2015 at 11:34

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I don’t think I ever saw one in real !

Party-vi > Margin Of Error 12/22/2015 at 11:39

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114hp from that 2.6L boat anchor.

Margin Of Error > Party-vi 12/22/2015 at 11:41

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Yeah, back when 350 c.i. ‘Murican V8 were making 120hp

Justin Hughes > Margin Of Error 12/22/2015 at 11:41

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It was pretty much just as you described it - not a muscle car, not a track car, but comfy, cushy, and sporty.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > Margin Of Error 12/22/2015 at 11:41

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I wonder if it would have sold better if it were more obviously and self-recognizedly Japanese. Introducing it in the name of a former fullsize is a little bit too “HI YES I AM AMERICA CAR OF AMERICA PLEASE”. Given that the Sapporo didn’t sell, maybe not - maybe it just needed an English name that wasn’t Challenger.

ttyymmnn > Margin Of Error 12/22/2015 at 11:47

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Great read. I remember those cars well, and I was always fascinated by the overhead, fighter cockpit controls.

Party-vi > Margin Of Error 12/22/2015 at 11:49

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I mean, the 350ci V8 in the Corvette was making 230hp, but that’s none of my business.

Margin Of Error > Party-vi 12/22/2015 at 11:51

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That was a performance motor in a car sold at a premium.

V8 engines found in average joe’s behemoths of that era were not a lot more powerful thant the 2.6

Scott > Margin Of Error 12/22/2015 at 11:52

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Even back then I do not remember hearing the words “state-of-art cassette player”

Margin Of Error > Scott 12/22/2015 at 11:53

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That was a novelty in 1977

Svend > Margin Of Error 12/22/2015 at 11:56

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My god. My dad had the same car as this in that colour though I think the headlights were different (like the car below, ours also had the same wheels as the one below).

Beige corduroy interior which hurt like hell as a kid in the back wearing shorts and t-shirt as you’d get out of the car with bruised patterned skin down your legs and arms on long journeys. But boy did I love that car. We had it for 16 years before the dreaded rust took there toll on the front wings and rear wheel arches.

crowmolly > Margin Of Error 12/22/2015 at 12:05

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More of a Hemi than the new MOPARs.

Bengal55 > Margin Of Error 12/22/2015 at 12:05

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Excellent article, I wasn’t even aware of what the Challenger was or had become at that point. Minor correction though, back then it was still “Chrysler Corporation” and not “Chrysler LLC.” Chrysler didn’t become an LLC until 2007.

forgeryfade > Margin Of Error 12/22/2015 at 12:06

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I’ve always loved these cars. The 2.6L engines were bulletproof because they were originally designed for fleet use in forklifts and were thus made very stout. The engines later became boosted for use in the Station/Contest. Jet valves, 4 wheel disc, independent suspension all around... Pretty advanced for the day.

Some had what Mitsubishi called Technica. A female voice would correct you if you were doing something dumb and a full Japanese melody would play as the door chime. I had the Technica package on an old Station I owned. My girlfriend ex boyfriend works in Japan for Sapporo. It apparently means big dry lake.

Margin Of Error > Bengal55 12/22/2015 at 12:16

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Duly noted

Party-vi > Margin Of Error 12/22/2015 at 12:16

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The 2.6L was a performance motor in a car sold at a premium.

Margin Of Error > forgeryfade 12/22/2015 at 12:17

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That’s cool !

thanks for the info

Margin Of Error > Party-vi 12/22/2015 at 12:18

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VP of Know-it-All Asshole III

Ah, I see...

Party-vi > Margin Of Error 12/22/2015 at 12:22

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I mean, I’m right tho. So are you.

V8 engines back then, like the V8 in the Camaro, were terrible and didn’t make much peak HP more than the 2.6L in the Challenger, but 114hp out of a 2.6L SOHC engine is still no cause for celebration, especially since it was only 10hp for an increased 1L of displacement.

Bengal55 > Party-vi 12/22/2015 at 12:24

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The Corvette was an exception, take for example the 4.2L v8 that came in the 1980 Ford LTD, which produced an amazing 115hp, or the 302 that was a heart stopping 130hp. Take Chevy, back in 1980 the 4.4L v8 in the Caprice was rated at.. yep 115hp. So laugh as you might at a 2.6L engine producing 114hp, back then that wasn’t bad at all.

crowmolly > Party-vi 12/22/2015 at 12:26

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‘80 Z made 190.

‘80 Camaro V8 (305) made ~160 or so.

BringBackTheCommodore > Margin Of Error 12/22/2015 at 12:27

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“The second gen Challenger was not intended to be a track day queen but rather a personal luxury coupe.”

From what I’ve read, that was the purpose of the original Challenger: Where the Chrysler E-bodies were concerned, the Challenger was for posh luxury (so to speak) and the Barracuda was for performance.

Trevor Slattery, ACTOR > dogisbadob 12/22/2015 at 12:28

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My neighbor had a Sapporo in gray. Always thought they were good looking cars. Have not seen one in the wild in a LONG TIME. Isn’t the 2.6l the same engine as the Starion? Can the Starion turbo engine and trans swap in here?

Stef Schrader > Margin Of Error 12/22/2015 at 12:30

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Heh, I always assumed Plymouth was just lazier about the re-badge.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitsubish…

The Targa-style roof bar kinda works there, though. Neat.

Trevor Slattery, ACTOR > Margin Of Error 12/22/2015 at 12:30

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Still lots of 8-track players in cars back then. Yes, I am old enough to know.

dogisbadob > Trevor Slattery, ACTOR 12/22/2015 at 12:49

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I think you are right about the Starion. Probably the same engine or very close to it, and it probably swaps easy enough. In fact, the Starion is an evolution of the Challenger.

Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast. > Margin Of Error 12/22/2015 at 13:10

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I remember those cars, and to be honest, I think you may be looking at the past through rose colored glasses.

RallyWrench > Margin Of Error 12/22/2015 at 13:22

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This an a 1st-generation Isuzu Impulse would make a great oddball old-school drift cars.

BadMotorScooter > Margin Of Error 12/22/2015 at 14:42

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Wow, a 1981 Dodge Challenger was my first car. Beyond loving it as anyone loves their first car, I loved it because it was a real tank that withstood a metric ton of teenage abuse. Such antics as crashing into a tree after a little too much oversteer didn’t stop the Challenger. And very many attempts at burnouts (which were hard to do with 100hp). A brown plaid interior increased the awesomeness

The engine was actually quite smooth and torquey. I recall it was carburated but was bulletproof reliable through all weather. Mine had a factory sticker in the rear window that said “MCA - Jet”, which I believe was referring to the unique cylinder heads that swirled intake gases just so.

The dash was really cool, and the steering wheel had those cool round cutouts that made it look special. Overall a great car.

Margin Of Error > BadMotorScooter 12/22/2015 at 14:47

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Thanks for sharing your experience !

Honestly didn’t excpect to find any owner (actual or former) here, especially in 2014.

Wow !

BadMotorScooter > dogisbadob 12/22/2015 at 14:49

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That is correct, the Challenger led to the Starion/Conquest, which led to the 3000GT/Stealth. Pretty clear lineage of the platform that led to one of the twin-turbo Japanese super sportscars of the 90s.

BadMotorScooter > Margin Of Error 12/22/2015 at 15:12

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Also interesting to note that it had no B-pillars. The rear quarter windows could roll down (manually) so you could have no glass or pillars on the side. The car also had 4-wheel disc brakes, and a ‘sporty’ independent suspension.

Mine had dealer installed A/C, which sort of worked. Not sure if they had a real factory A/C option.

The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock > Margin Of Error 12/22/2015 at 16:02

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LOVE THOSE SEATS.

Jedidiah > Margin Of Error 12/22/2015 at 18:44

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Still would much rather have this

NJAnon > Margin Of Error 12/22/2015 at 21:07

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It was the 80’s. Weird stuff happened during that time (Delorean motor company, berlin wall, etc). Besides, who is to say Chrysler wouldn’t have not went FWD regardless?

ranwhenparked > Margin Of Error 12/22/2015 at 21:35

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I was always surprised that these sold so poorly. The Challenger/Sapporo twins arrived on the market at the height of the personal luxury coupe boom, were on sale during the second fuel crisis of 1979, and coincided with growing interest in Japanese cars.

I suppose the blame ultimately lies with public wariness over Chrysler Corporation’s increasingly tenuous financial state in the late 1970s. Actually, until around 1981 or so, the company’s survival was still an open ended question, even after the emergency loan guarantees. The R-Body St. Regis/Gran Fury/Newport/New Yorker flopped partially for that same reason, as did the briefly revived Imperial marque.

Budget conscious buyers were still willing to buy L-Body Horizons/Omnis and the new Aries/Reliant K-Cars, as long as the price was right and financing available, but buyers of more substantial cars that had farther to fall in depreciation were going elsewhere.

Papa Van Twee > forgeryfade 01/27/2017 at 12:04

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I had an ‘83 Plymouth Sapporo Technica. I think the stereo was the same as you could get in the non-Technica models, but it had a digital dash and that voice. “Your door is ajar”. “No you silly car, it’s a door”!

Papa Van Twee > Margin Of Error 01/27/2017 at 12:05

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Sorry I’m late to the party:

“Plymouth a version of the car too, the Sapporo.”

Please fix.

Signed, OCD

PS, Love the article.

DodgeFan81 > Margin Of Error 04/15/2018 at 16:36

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I loved these cars and drove several of them in the mid to late 80's. That 2.6L Mitsubishi seemed to blow head gaskets fairly often at around 100k miles. Some complained of a problem with cracked cylinder heads but I think that probably was the result of people driving them too far while overheating due to blown head gaskets. One guy’s problem is another guy’s opportunity. My dad bought several of these, and Sapporos in the mid to late 80's with blown head gaskets for $300-400, replaced the head gaskets and kept my brother and I in cheap, and quite fun, transportation in our high school years. I wrecked one, my brother wrecked two and I think we ran and later sold (for a profit) two or three more of them. I taught myself how to drift in those cars. They held up to our wild driving very well, though I remember my dad wondering out loud how we managed to wear out tires so fast. At the time I didn’t know it had a HEMI. I just had a blast!

Tino > Margin Of Error 04/24/2018 at 21:47

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About to buy a 1980 with 36k original miles and in practically perfect condition. Its garage kept and has original paper sleeve on visor. I plan on using as a daily driver. Am I crazy or what?

Kpopkeys > Margin Of Error 08/28/2018 at 16:36

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just saying Hi and letting yo know that I have a 1980 challenger that runs and drives. Also have the stablemate 1980 D50 sport black with orange /yellow/red sport striping.  also road worthy and I drive it a few times a month.

chuck > Tino 02/11/2020 at 07:51

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I have an original 80 with 15001 miles never seen rain and bought new