THE "XIMBA" PROJECT

The SADO, produced by the Enterposto, began learn it form in 1975, as environment of answer the difficulties that the company lived, in consequence of the increased of costs and from the reduction of the sales. It build a economical vehicle,  utilizing national stuff and that could interest to those that did small dislocations in urban zones, was considerated an alternative for the situation. From here it was born the «Projecto Ximba» that, to 1978, consisted of him you had of a varied range of motors. It found himself the ideal commitment for a vehicle... of three wheels. By that they practiced national motors. It began by the 50cc., but fast saw that was necessary more, quizzing itself also, the Couple 125. The answer, however, was far from satisfy. The project had like this, its first detour. Of the national motors passed himself to the Japanese. It arrived use motors of 360cc., always of motorbikes, and some very powerful. However, they should have resolved themselves endless number problems with the boxes of speeds. It arrived even, it use boxes of transference adapted, never having arrived to a commitment had as ideal, to because the consumption were elevated. To that in results of these facts and from the own evolution of the market concluded that was the motor of car the the only one that could serve. And like this it was choosen the Daihatsu 547. The time  spend in these experiences was not time lost. Serve, by example, for himself considerar as. They had, however, past barely four years about the beginning of the projecto when was entered in the phase more difficult: study and decide about pieces and assemblies, thinking of we will have of quality and execution viable.. He opted, then, by the development trough of several series of prototypes. And he had three, to he arrive to the SADO 550. To first series, regarding the definite model, narrower era, less spacious, he had minor he saw, and to steering and brakes, by example, they had many differences regarding the final model. In the prototypes generation Monday, improved enough to habitabilidade and the doors appeared increased to will facilitate the access. Him stop-breezes passed be it curved, they finished the bottles you will triangulate lateral. As regards the brake power they obtained themselves results around 50% superiors. To third generation, finally, does not present big differences regarding the actual SADO 550. The doors come back it to be increased; the bottle bun by its time diminished; the tablier was rebuilt; appeared the deflector frontal. Essentially, therefore, differences of detail. However, appealing to the National Laboratory of Civil Engineering (LNEC) and to the Center of Mechanics and Stuff from the University Technique of Lisbon, they elapsed you had them (of noise and sonorous level inside and outside from the vehicle, of brake power and of steering, of resistance from the body and from the fix of the belts of security). And a beautiful day the SADO 550 appeared properly homologado in the streets.

.      (in Revista ACP - Set/Out 1982)

Reunion of several elements of the project, after a succesful expirience

1 - Eduardo Cabral Menezes - Import/Export Director (Decease)

2 - Encoberto: Eng. Rui Sampaio - Assistence Director

3 - Eng. Manuel Romão de Sousa - Project Manager

4 - Manuel Lopes Gião - Sales Director (Decease)

5 - Eng. José Megre - Adjunt Assistence Director

6 - Álvaro Santos - Mecanicien

7 - Joel Pereira - Former Center (Decease)

Best regards to Mr. António Pereira Joaquim for this picture