Plymouth used the Scamp nameplate on at least two occasions. First, in the 1970s as a Plymouth derivative of the Dodge Swinger. Then, later, for 1983 only, it was as a small pickup which was also sold as the Dodge Rampage. The seller’s truck is one of 132 said to have been built wearing the red/black color combination. Its paint has been refreshed, and the overall vehicle appears to be as sound as a dollar. Located in Omaha, Nebraska, this low-mileage Mopar is available here on Facebook Marketplace for $10,900. We appreciate yet another cool tip from T.J.
The Rampage and Scamp were both built in the U.S. (not badge-engineered Japanese imports that Chrysler did a lot of in the 1970s). The vehicles’ unibody and front clip were lifted from the Dodge Omni 024 (also called Charger). While the Rampage was offered for three years (1982-84), the Scamp had a single year outing, making it rarer. Between the standard and GT models, perhaps 3,500 Scamps were built compared to 37,000 of the Dodges.
At 69,000 miles, this pickup is said to have been cosmetically restored. But since that excluded the interior, we assume that it means fresher red paint. But there seem to be no issues with the seats, carpeting, etc. A 2.2-liter inline-4 resides under the hood, and it’s paired with an automatic transmission, rather than a more common 4-speed. The seller has done his/her homework to determine that the number of these built in red with the interior in this one numbered just 11 dozen.
With a newer set of tires, this truck runs and drives great. You didn’t see many of these pickups when new, and, given the likely amount of survivors out there, you won’t this week, either.
👍 economical, practical.
Now you might see one of these before you see a run of the mill Horizon/O24. These were lighter than the cars and were quite peppy too. This very light duty “truck” would be a good addition if the body is rust free. Fun fact. The first O24/Horizons were powered by the VW Rabbit motor since Chrysler didn’t have an engine factory for a four banger in the States yet. The 2.2 replaced the German engine in ’82.
These can be a rough vehicle to drive, obviously not a lot of power just very basic transportation. I wouldn’t be putting heavy things in the bed. Just be careful of the head gaskets. This one looks in good shape but watch the stuff that creeps up on you, warping rotors and running a bit hot.
These were rated for a true half-ton (and then some) payload capacity, 1145 lbs, only about 10% shy of the El Camino at the time.
I wouldn’t exactly call them “rough” to drive, pretty pleasant really, about the same as its Omnirizon/Charger/Turismo siblings. My dad had one for several years, did all the hauling duty he needed as a homeowner and volunteer church groundskeeper, meanwhile serving as a stylish, economical and fun to drive work commuter and household second vehicle.
Like everything but the automatic transaxle. Have often thought these would make excellent end-of-the-world vehicles, but would want to be able to push start it.
Make sure it has a fresh timing belt
At least it’s a non-interference engine.
I had a 5-speed 1983 Dodge Rampage with a cap on the back. I’ve owned 3 4-wheel drive Jeeps of different years, and 2 4-wheel drive trucks and lots of cars. None of them handled rain, snow, ice or sleet anywhere even close to that Rampage. It was underpowered, but I drove mine in all weather at between 80 and 100 mph everywhere I went on the highway. It never felt like I was driving on anything but hard, dry pavement. In bad weather, I passed everything, sometimes on the wrong side of the road since every other vehicle on the road was stuck in snow. Hills? Snow? You’d never know from the handling that it wasn’t a sunny afternoon on a flat road. I never slowed down for anything.
Reliable? The only thing that broke was the shifter cable and a tail light lens that someone broke. I still have the NOS replacement in my garage. I sold it in 1989 because the A pillar rusted out.
As for hauling weight, I filled the back of mine with pails of beach sand for my garden a couple of times and another time I filled the entire bed to the top with well rotted cow manure for the same garden bed. The day after that, having cleaned it, the Rampage box was filled again to the top. This time with thousands of dollars worth of Sears Men’s suits.
My wife and I had a 100 mile a day commute every week day for years in that Rampage. It never let us down. I drove it to Halifax, Nova Scotia to build a Sears store. At the end of the job, we toured Cape Breton Island. All the other Sears jobs during those years, I drove the Rampage rather than fly. I slept in the box and saved the travel allowance. The money I saved helped pay the bills. Plus, it got 30 mpg. What more could you ask for?
Handling? Mine was a demo when I bought it from Village Chrysler in Ajax, Ontario. It had the Ground Effects package, fake hood scoop, Sun Roof, a unique set of spoked aluminum wheels on it, wide Firestone tires and power disk brakes. It handled like a sports car. It was a sports car.
Driving in winter was phenomenal. You got heat almost instantly and the vents on the dash were perfectly positioned to keep your hands warm. My feet were always warm too.
By comparison, I’ve never felt nearly as safe in any of my other 4-wheel drive vehicles or those of other makes. None of them could handle snow like the Rampage. In no other vehicle have I ever been able to drive at 100 mph in snow like there was no snow.
This vehicle is a good buy for some lucky person.
If I drove 100 mph on the snow I wouldn’t admit it.
Canadian 🇨🇦 …must 🙏 mean km/h for sure.
I had a gold 83. Came with 4 sp. , an easy bolt in is a 5 sp from later omni horizons/chargers.
They are quite peppy. Got chased off a scale when i put 2,000 pounds of gravel in 2,000 pound vehicle ! Always got 30mpg. Drove it like i stole it. Donated it tech school. Price a bit high but a fun mini truck. Owned mine 25 years.
“appears to be as sound as a dollar” Well, I can’t honestly say how sound a dollar is these days.
This little gem is right here where I reside. If this Plymouth spent it’s life here in Omaha, they sure as heck never drove it in the winter. These disintegrated rapidly here with the amount of salt and brine the city dumps on the streets in the winter.
Looks like an extremely nice car/ Lt. truck for the money. If I wasn’t 10,000 miles away I would check it out.
Russ … I’m wondering what your source is for information on how many of these were made. I have an ’89 LeBaron GTC Turbo II for which I would like to get a breakdown (color, etc.). I have tried unsuccessfully, so far, and have been told that when the Germans came in to Chrysler, they destroyed all of these records. Do you have something at your disposal that could help me? If so, please e-mail me. Thanks much! Reed
Bought my 1982 Rampage with sport package new. Drove it year round through winter weather. Hauled a dirt bike in bed in summer. Pulled a snowmobile on a trailer in the winter. No problem. I always washed and waxed and maintained it. Still was prone to rusting. Also replace a cam out of warranty due to a soft lobe that wore off. Other than normal maintenance a reliable vehicle. 26mpg average too. Manual shift.