Sanda Motor Corporation - Le mans 🇫🇷 RPC-88

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33

1975 Sanda Ridge

After 4 years in development, the fruit of Sanda’s engineers was the 1975 Ridge. Based in the concept of the '68 Proton, the concept was fairly simple, light weight car with a tiny V8 (thanks to its small size, it avoided the 2 liter tax) conceived as future flagship of the company for years to come.

Designwise, it had pop-lights and some details that are in line with the '75 Majime. The engine was the k8, a small 1.7L turbo V8 pushing 130hp at 6100 rpm, while weighting less than a ton (133.33 hp per ton for the curious), giving a nimble and dyanamic driving…

…while being in the power range. One major flaw of the design was the lack of power below 3,000 rpm, making it’s driving in town quite tedious. Even so, Sanda engineers firmly belive the future of the company and future cars is linked to turbocharging.

SPECS:

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1978 New and Improved Archer!


Archer 2 Door version

The Archer, now in its 3rd generation, received a new treatment, with a new design from scratch.
The Archer is a model that sits between the smaller Majime and the larger (and more expensive) Admiral, while still having nimble driving characteristics.

Background
The previous Archer model was slipted into 4 trims, ranging from cheap sedan or coupe and sportier sedan or coupe. This time, the Archer came in 3 trims. Hatchback, 2 Door and 4 Door.

They all use the brand new Series B engine. This new family of engines had a brand new all aluminum design, as well as new designed heads with 2 valves per cylinder, and 2 single barrel eco carburetors.

Unfortunately, 1978 new emissions standards in Japan forced all new models to be equiped with Catalytic converters, effectively chugging some of the power of the engine.


Archer 4 Door rear

Features

Hatchback
  • 1.4L L4 DAOHC Series B engine
  • 70hp @ 5,900rpm & 71lbft @ 3,900rpm
  • 4 Speed manual FWD
  • 155 km/h top speed
  • 250mm Disc brakes front / 250mm drum brakes rear
  • 155/75R13 89Q
  • 5 Seats
  • Basic Radio
2 Door
  • 1.6L L4 DAOHC Series B engine
  • 78hp @ 5,900rpm & 79lbft @ 4,100rpm
  • 5 Speed manual FWD
  • 153 km/h top speed
  • 270mm Disc brakes front / 265mm drum brakes rear
  • 155/70R14 88Q
  • 2+2 Seats
  • Std. 8 Track
  • Manualy adjusted seats
  • Power Steering
4 Door
  • 1.6L L4 DAOHC Series B engine
  • 78hp @ 5,900rpm & 79lbft @ 4,100rpm
  • 5 Speed manual FWD
  • 153 km/h top speed
  • 270mm Disc brakes front / 270mm drum brakes rear
  • 155/70R14 88Q
  • 5 Seats
  • Std. 8 Track
  • Manualy adjusted seats
  • Power Steering


Archer Hatchback

STATS

1978 Archer Hatchback
Price: $7,605

1978 Archer 2 Door
Price: $9,295

1978 Archer 4 Door
Price: $9,795

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35

1978 Admiral 2nd Generation

For those wanting something bigger and more comfortable than the bare bones Archer or the small Majime, Sanda developed the Admiral. The previous generation was very similar to the Archer, making it hard to future buyers to diffentiate them. With that in mind, this generation departed from the original design, to something bigger and with more refined lines.

Background
The new Admiral came in 2 trims, sedan and coupé. Instead of the traditional sedan shape, the designers opted for a fastback design. It also served to separate it more from the other models.

The B series was the only engine available, this time bored up to 1.8L, paired with a 4 barrel carburator and a 5 speed manual gearbox.

Admiral Sedan

Features
Click for more

Coupe
  • Transversal 1.8L L4 D.A.OHC Series B engine
  • 98hp @ 6,100rpm & 92ft-lb @ 4.600rpm
  • 5 speed manual FWD
  • 165 km/h top speed
  • 165/85R13 92R
  • 230mm vented disc brakes front / 230mm drum brakes rear
  • 4 seats
  • Premium interior (leather seats, front seat with electronic adjustments for front-rear and height.)
  • AM/FM radio with 4 speakers and 8 track player
  • Power steering
Sedan
  • Transversal 1.8L L4 D.A.OHC Series B engine
  • 98hp @ 6,100rpm & 92ft-lb @ 4.600rpm
  • 5 speed manual FWD
  • 165 km/h top speed
  • 165/85R13 92R
  • 230mm vented disc brakes front / 230mm drum brakes rear
  • 5 seats
  • Premium interior (leather seats, front seat with electronic adjustments for front-rear and height.)
  • AM/FM radio with 4 speakers and 8 track player
  • Power steering

STATS AND PRICE

1978 Admiral coupe
Price: $16,256 (38% markup)

1978 Admiral Sedan
Price: $17,007 (38% markup)

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Updated Logo

Previous logo:

New logo/badge:

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37

1979 - News and sales figures!

Current president of Sanda Motors, Yun Tse Wu announced a new partnership with mexican car maker ADM.

In his own words:

This new partnership will allow us to enter the north american market through ADM. Since ADM has already a large infrastructure, it means we should spend less in building the factories and marketing. Since the first models will be rebadged versions of our current lineup, it will serve us to touch the waters and test what would work on that markets. Plus, we will share a factory were we could build some models instead of export them.

[…] we will also be able to co-op with ADM and penetrate the european market. Our engineers and lead designers are ready to meet with ADM’s people to start tackling this market, we already have some ideas in mind for our first collaboration […] For now, there is a 10 year plan and we are very confidant it will be succesful for both parties.

SALES FIGURES (Japan only)

Although the Admiral have lower sales, it is largely due to the fact it was released in the last quarter of the year, sales for next year are expected to improve.
Given the unexpected popularity of the Archer, Sanda has announced as well that they will toy with a sportier version or even enter racing.

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Engines naming system

Family name: A#-#
Where: A Engine series, from A to Z. A series is determined by a specific combination of block and head options. Example, K series uses iron head and block with 3 valves per cylinder. B series uses iron block and head with direct acting OHC
# Number of cylinders
# Generation or iteration. First Gen have no number
Example: K8
K series, V8. First gen.
Variant name: ###XYZX(o)
Where: ## Displacement in deciliters.
#XYZ Fuel delivery system. First number represents number of carbs or intakes. Ka = Carburator, U = injection, Di = direct injection, T=turbo, TT=twin turbo
o Options. E= economy, S=sport, H=high revving, R=race
Example: 201KaE
2L, single carburator, Economy
Full engine name: K8-17TTS
K series engine. 8 cylinders, 1.7L twin turbo sport.

Transmission naming system

Transmission name: AB###(o)
Where: A Orientation. T = transverse, L = longitudinal, A=transverse AWD, I=longitudinal AWD
B Type. G=manual, T=automatic, S= secuential
# Number of speeds/gears
## max torque in kg-m
o Optional. Design, L=long gearing (+1 quality), E=economy (+2 quality), C=close gearing (+3 quality)
Example: TG417
Transverse transaxle, 4 speed manual, up to 17kg-m torque.
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39

1980 Ridge Turbo


1980 facelift

After the initial success of the 1975 Ridge, Sanda’s engineers didn’t know what to improve for the next facelift, so they focused on improving handling and adding more power.

Background

Conceived as a light fun car, with the smallest turbo carburated V8 flatplane in japan, the Ridge received a facelift in 1980, but the changes in the exterior were minimal, a new grill, new bumpers and a rear end more similar to the rest of the lineup. However, most of the updates were in the inner workings of the car.

To comply with new enviromental regulations, now all models were fitted with a catalytic converter, so naturally, Sanda engineers had to increase the output of the engine to avoid lose power from the cat. At the end, power passed from 130hp to 142hp. New and bigger brakes were added, as well as a re-design sporty suspension (as well as a new 8 track player radio). With all of this, the Ridge gained 50kg, but despise thew new weight, it was captable of reaching 100km/h from stop in around 8 seconds and had a top speed of 196km/h.

The gear ratios were also adjusted, to feel less the effect of the turbo lag. The K8 was still the engine of choice. Despise the odd engine configuration, the power plant had proven to be reliable enough.


The future is now

*Price and stats
Ridge Turbo $10,647

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https://i.imgur.com/yV3SRqT.png

1981 Majime [3rd Gen]

1981 saw the presentation of the brand new Majime, The car that started all back in 1960. The new model was an overall improvement over the previous generation, both aesthetically and mechanically.

Background

Although the previous Majime generation was well received, many inside Sanda felt the car was subpar in comparison to the rest of the line-up, especially in the looks department. For 1981, the company started from a clean state, only taking a platform developed in colaboration with ADM and used in the compact Chapeau.

https://i.imgur.com/Bblr9y2.png

The new Majime was still powered by the K3 engine series, this time swaping the small carburator for a new Throttle body injection system, also co-developed with ADM. The result was the small 550cc turbo L3 SOHC engine produced 32hp at 5,400rpm. Paired with a 4 speed manual transmission, and the result was this tiny 700kg car achieved 31.5mpg.

Handling wise, it was a pretty balanced car with enough power at city speeds, with the only downside its top speed of 112km/h and slow acceleration past 80 km/h.

Price and stats
Prices are in 1981 US dlls

1981 Majime - $2,801.11
https://i.imgur.com/HDIFPpG.png
https://i.imgur.com/gmjip8k.png?1

Car file in the OP

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1982 New Admiral

After only 4 years, Sanda decided to create yet a new generation for the Admiral, so this and the Archer model would be more separated (Both, aesthetically and from an engineering point of view). The previous hatchback style of body was ditched for a more simple sedan configuration. This time, a 2 door variant was not available.


Want some luxury?

Summary

After the partnership with ADM, things were going pretty good for the japanese automaker, so they decided to invest more into research and development. Since the sales from the previous generation weren’t that good, Sanda decided to update this model with some of the new technology that sanda engineers had been developing.

First change was this new generation was RWD instead of FWD, as well as brand new independant suspension in 4 wheels for extra comfort. On top of that, a new powerplant was also created, a new member of the B series engine, a 2.4L all aluminum DAOHC L6 with a brand new MFI system mated to a first automatic transmission for extra comfort (from ADM).


The new generation carried some elements from previous generation on the back, but revised

The new powerplant was rated at 132 PS more than enough to move the luxurious Admiral. And luxurious it was, it was one of the most luxurious japanese cars for its time. It had an all leather interior with lots of electronic adjustments, as well as an high end 4 speaker radio with a track player.

The old tooling equipment for the previous generation was translated to Spain so ADMoE could keep producing the Madrid.


Also available as a wagon

Price and stats
All prices are in 1982 US dlls

Sanda Admiral Sedan - $6,970.50

Sanda Admiral Wagon - $7,014.34

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1982 - 1983 Ridge Super Silhouette

First proper Sanda Competition car. It was developed under group 5 regulations to compete in the Fuji Grand Champion Series, and it did raced in 1982 and 1983.

The Super Silhouette races started in 1979 and Sanda was preparing to participate, however it never did until ADM gave green light to the racing car project.

The car used as base was a 1980 Rdige Turbo. The category allowed heavy modifications and this monster, although the same as a production car on the outside, is the equivalent of a Formula racing car on the inside.

The engine is the same old trusty K8 engine series used in the road version of the ridge (1.7L 24-valve flat-plane V8) producing up to 507ps after some tremendous turbo lag.

ATT: 2:11.31
Airfield: 1:18.56


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1983 New Koi


Koi Sx. The first Sanda Sx car. Available in white or black with orange or red.

1983 saw the announcement of new Sanda’s compact car, the Koi, based in the 3rd generation Archer platform, specially in the archer hatchback model.

Summary

In an effort to diversify and to fill the gaps between the K Majime and the uptrim Admiral, the Archer model was splitted in 2 separate models. One of the, was the Koi, based in the Archer hatchback. Besides the change of name, the Koi has a redesing front end based on the rest of the line-up


Koi 3 door model

The engineering was simple, a monocoque steel chassis, with steel panels, mcphersons struts at the front and torsion beam at the rear, with drum brakes all around. The engines available was the the B series engine and the A series in the highest trim.

4 trims were available at launch. A 3 and a 5 door where the most common trims. Both having a variation from the engine used in the european Chappeau (but with throttle body injection), 1.2L L4 with 55ps and a 4 speed manual gearbox (3 speed + overdrive). Due to their lightness both models surpased the 20mpg.


Koi Panel

The highest trim was the Sx, intended as the sport version, for those wanted a bit more performance of this little car. The Sx had a A series 1.3L L4 DOHC engine with modern MPFI, and 77hp, plus revised brakes and better suspension and tires, for improved handling.

Last trim available was the Panel, with only 2 seats, intended for light delivery use between cities.


Koi 5 door

Price and specs
All prices are in 1983 US dlls

Koi 3 door - $4,837.35

Koi 5 door - $4,857.75

Koi Sx - $5,977.13

Koi Panel - $4,937.21

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Archer 4th Gen

https://i.imgur.com/SDcwJMj.jpg
Sx badge, used in sporty models

Following the launch of the Koi, which was basically a 3rd gen Archer in disguise, a new model of the Archer was presented, this time with radical changes, thanks to the partnership with ADM.

Development

As stated before, as the Koi was an archer in disguise, the forth generation Archer was in reality an ADMoE Pilgrim, only with a new rear end and re-tuned for Japan roads. Thanks to the prolific relationship with ADM, Sanda could just cut costs on design and share expenses when engineering new platforms or engines.

The Pilgrim platform was design with ADM, and it was a monocoque chassis with RWD layout, mcphersons struts in the front and semi trailing arms in the rear. The engine available was the A series DOHC L4, also co-developed with ADM.

https://i.imgur.com/7gJ47cz.png
Archer 4 door, very reminiscent of the Pilgrim Sedan

3 trims were available, the 2 door, 4 door and Sx (similar to the Koi). Both the 2 and 4 door came with a 1.6L engine, with ADM throttle body injection and 100hp and 92lb-ft. 4 speed was the only available transmission, with 14" steel wheels. The interior in both cars was simple but durable, with a 8 track radio.

https://i.imgur.com/LA9XrGl.png
The rear was re-designed to fit with the rest of Sanda’s line-up

The Sx version, used a bored 1.8L engine with Sanda’s MFPI system pushing 127hp @ 6,200rpm and 119lb-ft @ 4,300rpm, the most powerful NA Sanda engine so far! This version also included better and improved brakes, a 5 speed manual gearbox, harder suspension and to reduce weight, it only had 2 seats on the back (it weighted less than a ton). It had a top speed of 180km/h and could reach 100km/h in just 8.94s.

https://i.imgur.com/2C379xf.png
Sx had a small lip on the back. Also, aluminium wheels from the Ridge Turbo

Stats and price
All prices are in 1983 US dlls

Archer 2 Door - $7,284.10
https://i.imgur.com/C3gFU45.png
https://i.imgur.com/hsos7SP.png?1

Archer 4 Door - $7,317.35
https://i.imgur.com/kGGaRX6.png
https://i.imgur.com/wPzK6oD.png?1

Archer Sx - $8,135.71
https://i.imgur.com/ZLOVKge.png
https://i.imgur.com/1RSW2ES.png?1

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1985 Archer early facelift

https://i.imgur.com/YNNRci7.jpg
Archer Sx

Sumary

2 years after its second generation was presented, the Archer received an early facelift. As it was based on the ADM Pilgrim once it received a facelift, the archer did too.
The main difference between the european and the japanese model was both aesthetical and mechanical. Japanese models were a bit lower as well as equipped with different versions of the A series engine. The trimming was similar as there were offer 3 models, a 4 door, a 2 door and a Sx

https://i.imgur.com/j4u51xC.png
Archer 2 door

The engines offered were the same as before the facelift, a 1.6L L4 DOHC engine pushing 100hp for the normal trims and a 1.8L variant with 127hp for the Sx.

https://i.imgur.com/Ah9iEKj.png
Archer 4 door

Specs and price
All prices are in 1985 US dlls

Archer 4 door - $5,214.94
https://i.imgur.com/LDJTt82.png
https://i.imgur.com/HLETWd9.png
https://i.imgur.com/aiHGe7c.png

Archer 2 door - $4,816.32
https://i.imgur.com/hhyRFqr.png
https://i.imgur.com/BbMjv8x.png
https://i.imgur.com/FA489ck.png

Archer Sx - $5,811.01
https://i.imgur.com/aGMjUHa.png
https://i.imgur.com/DL8P0ou.png
https://i.imgur.com/LRDM8zZ.png

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1985 Ridge II

10 years after the release of the first generation Ridge, Sanda decided to introduce a second generation, pretty much following the previous formula, a lightweight chassis with a small flatplane turbocharged V8.

https://i.imgur.com/4N4aM3D.jpg
Ridge Sx

Summary

The Ridge was Sanda’s Halo car, made almost exclusively as to showcase some of Sanda’s finest technology and tuning. The second generation was the first car Sanda offered with an independent suspension in both front and rear. Compared to the previous generation, the car grew in lenght and wheelbase, and was 200kg heavier than the original, still, it was still nimble and very fun to drive, as well as way faster.

https://i.imgur.com/PcEOmK3.png
Ridge Base

The engine was the same K8 engine, this time upgrated to a Multi point fuel injection system, pushing 160PS in the base version. A second variant pushed 190PS, used in the Sx trim.

https://i.imgur.com/s4CttN6.png
No Sx base, but the small spoiler distinguish both trims

Specs & Price
All prices in 1985 US dlls

Ridge Base - $7,217.05
https://i.imgur.com/ZJlNNHy.png
https://i.imgur.com/jAZ8fJP.png
https://i.imgur.com/icJ6Mag.png

Ridge Sx - 7,848.78
https://i.imgur.com/oyI9Ceu.png
https://i.imgur.com/xjUHrPt.png
https://i.imgur.com/Xyi2IOn.png

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1986 Sanda RPC-86

https://i.imgur.com/z3sra3M.png

After the Ridge Super Silhouette was retired at the end of 1984, Sanda didn’t created another race purpose build car until 1986, with the RPC-86 (Racing Prototype Car - 1986).

https://i.imgur.com/PzhFqG5.png

The RPC-86 was manufactured for All-Japan Sport Prototype Championship (JSPC) for Group C prototype racing cars in 1986. It has a chassis RPC manufactured in house while the fiber glass body was outsourced. The engine was an evolution of the K8, called K8x, a 3L 3 valve per cylinder flatplane turbocharged V8 based on the K8, only bigger and made of aluminum instead of traditional cast iron, producing around 600bhp.

It featured improved aerodymanic performance, and extensive cooling. It participated in the JSPC for the 1986 and 1986 season with respectable results. It also ran in the 24 of le mans in 1986 where it was retired mid race due to blown gaskets and in 1987 the 2 cars had crashed. One of them was restored and sits in Sanda’s Heritage museum.

https://i.imgur.com/Dk2vCQl.png

Test drive of the RPC-86 around the Nurburgring

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1986 Majime facelift

https://i.imgur.com/O92hlit.png

After 5 years, the Majime finally received a facelift, at the same time its cousin the ADM Chapeau did.

The new model was offered in a single trim, aimed to a budget market. The engine K3 received a new update that increased its power from 32 to 44 PS.

https://i.imgur.com/TK0WCwx.png

https://i.imgur.com/jqrJ7xG.png
https://i.imgur.com/l9b3xRJ.png
https://i.imgur.com/QLa82uk.png

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1986 Admiral facelift

https://i.imgur.com/Esi0vxs.jpg

After a modest success, Sanda gave Admiral a facelift, this time, the wagon option was ditched and the Admiral was only offered as a 4 door sedan.

While the Ridge was positioned more as the sporty/halo car, the Admira was intended to be Sanda’s flagship, and it was more obvious with the new facelift.The Admiral 4 door came with the same L6 engine, this time bored to 2.5L and thanks to the new multi point injection system, it produced 145hp, making it one of the most powerful engines available at the time in Japan. It also came with Sanda’s first Manu-matic transmission, called TechShift, meaning all speed changes were done via computer instead of an hydraulic system, with a torque converter coupling system to improve efficiency, it also was the first model to came standard with ABS brakes.

https://i.imgur.com/j0k5Ufy.png

Despise all the technological advances, some were not that reliable (like the TechShift system) and the car had a comfortable ride, but felt heavy despise the healthy engine. Although it wasn’t famous among enthusiasts, it was a common sight in the garage of japanese businessmen.

https://i.imgur.com/OLxLLHZ.png
https://i.imgur.com/bMzNXxw.png
https://i.imgur.com/jtm7749.png

And with that, I go back to hiatus as I have to go back to school, work and normal life.

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1987 Koi new generation, and entering EU markets

Back in 1983 Sanda presented the Koi first gen., a small car designed to fill the market between the Majime and the Archer. Fortunately, the Koi was very well received and Sanda released a second generation by mid 1987, being in fact the first Sanda car to be sold in Europe.

https://i.imgur.com/mFPGzgA.jpg

Koi Sx, only in japan

The Koi was based on an outgoing Archer platform, but for the new generation it received its own new platform. While the other model was boxy, the new Koi got a more round look, and also it upgraded the torsion beam rear suspension for a semi independent semi trailer arms and rocked some double wishbones front, to improve comfort and handling.

https://i.imgur.com/Cuww6cK.png
Koi 4 door

Handling was very important for this new model, as it would be the first car to be sold outside Japan. All trims came with a variant of the A series engine, pushing around 100hp and the highest trim, the Sx got 20 hp more.

Available trims where the hatchback and sedan, both almost identical (the sedan was a tad taller) and the Sx, which got 4 disc brakes, weighed 20 kg less and had 20hp more, with a 5 speed manual and Sanda’s first Viscous LSD.

https://i.imgur.com/mkcjXlZ.png
Koi 3 door

https://i.imgur.com/0PSUqoM.png
https://i.imgur.com/MnHMfQL.png
https://i.imgur.com/vyMT3Uj.png

https://i.imgur.com/6P1tLii.png
https://i.imgur.com/7TpWHPg.png
https://i.imgur.com/4fvmsUm.png

https://i.imgur.com/kBLDmnP.png
https://i.imgur.com/dWRq6RU.png
https://i.imgur.com/ci7YWId.png

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Sanda 1987 XX Concept car

https://i.imgur.com/9aQwtFk.jpg

Given Sanda’s investment in Racing recent year, it presented a concept car call the XX concept, completely new and not based on any existing Sanda’s (or ADM’s) production car, rather in technology used in the RPC-86 race car.

It featured a spaceframe chassis with an all aluminum body, with independant suspension all around and the same mid-engine 3L SOHC turbocharged V8 used in the RPC-86, delivering 300hp to the rear wheels.

https://i.imgur.com/WBVWjQ1.png

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Surely this one deserves to go into production - it’s a junior supercar through and through, with styling and performance guaranteed to get you noticed on Miami’s Ocean Drive. It definitely wouldn’t be out of place in OutRun, Test Drive or Chase HQ for those reasons.

1 Like