It was small. It was square. It was... revolutionary?

This week on EnterPortugal – The Deep Dive, we tell the surprising story of the Sado 550—Portugal’s first (and only) mass-produced microcar. Built in the early 1980s, during a time of economic hardship and rising fuel prices, this tiny fiberglass machine represented something bigger: national innovation, ambition, and a bold step toward self-reliance.

With a Honda engine, a quirky design, and a name inspired by the Sado River, this two-seater captured imaginations—if not massive sales. So what happened to the Sado dream? And why has this humble little car become a cult icon for Portuguese auto lovers?

This is a ride through hope, design, and the rare moment Portugal tried to build a car for the people.

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