The SADO 550 was born from the so-called "Project Ximba," which started in 1975. The goal was to create a small, cheap car with as many components made in Portugal as possible. It even reached about 70% national incorporation, which was remarkable for the time.

The name "SADO" was chosen because it was manufactured in Setúbal, by the Sado River.

During its, unfortunately short, commercial phase, around 500 units were sold, spread across 5 trim versions, so you could almost say that the units that are still preserved today are unique and personal pieces for each of their owners.

The first series was narrower, the windshield was flat, it had two separate side windows, and the rear window was large.  

In the second series (which is the one I have), the doors were enlarged, the windshield became curved, and the small triangular side windows disappeared.  

Nowadays, only 27 are known to exist.  

In 1982, a SADO could be bought for 260.000$ (€1,130), costing less than some motorcycles!

Unlike most microcars of the time, the SADO 550 had:

• Front engine
• Rear-wheel drive
• Solid rear axle

In other words, in terms of mechanical layout, it had more in common with a classic traditional car than with many small European city cars.