While the Plymouth Valiant and the Dodge Dart were largely the same car, they didn’t always offer the same models. For example, in 1970 Plymouth had the Duster which was a 2-door fastback, while the Dart was available as a 2-door hardtop called the Swinger. That changed in 1971 when Dodge got the Demon (i.e. Duster) and Plymouth got the Scamp (i.e. Swinger), putting them on a level playing field. This 1973 Plymouth Scamp looks as close to showroom as you’re likely to find for a 47-year-old original car, one that has traveled just 18,000 miles. Hyde Park, Vermont is where the car can be found, and it’s offered here on Facebook Marketplace for $7,900 OBO.
The third generation of the Valiant and Dart had an impressive 10-year run, from 1967-76. Because they kept selling so well, the changes made from year-to-year were minimal. For example, for 1973, the Scamp lost their vent wing windows to flow-thru ventilation and received new front bumpers, good for five mph impacts. They also got steel beams inside the doors for greater side-impact protection. However, when it came to sales, the Duster was more popular than the more square-ish Scamp. In 1973, Plymouth sold six Dusters for every one Scamp, but the Scamp still accounted for 45,000 units.
We don’t know why this 1970s Mopar has less than 18,000 miles on it, but it seems as though the seller or someone else been working to get maximum performance out of the car’s original 225 cubic inch Slant-Six engine. Why else would you replace the distributor, carburetor, voltage regulator, ignition and ignition coil, spark plugs and wires and install a Flowmaster exhaust on such a barely-used car? Add to that the aftermarket American Racing wheels and new tires and this little car could be quite the runner (for a Valiant, that is)!
The paint, vinyl top and interior components all look like they should after 18,000 miles, but not necessarily after five decades. And we understand everything works as it should, like cold air coming from the factory A/C. If you’d rather go back to a completely stock look for the car, the original rims, tires, and wheel covers are conveniently waiting for you in the trunk.
Because this car isn’t a 340 or another V-8, Hagerty suggests that primo examples of Valiant-derivates like this are worth in the high five-figures. So, the seller hasn’t overpriced the car. If this Scamp is the real deal as it appears, it could be a low-cost way to acquire a weekend driver or one to take to the cars shows in your area. If you left it as is, people would probably come up to it thinking there is some muscle under the hood.
So nice to see a decent car (with A/C) presented with a reasonable ask for a change.
A whole lot of fans of this model car out there, as well as fans of the “leaning tower of power.”
This one should move quickly, I’d suggest acting fast if interested.
I think you may have answered your own question. You wondered why some one would have done all these mods on a low mileage car.
Someone’s grandson inherited her car and realized all the mods
In the world aren’t going to change the fact that at the end of the day it’s still a slant six Valiant.
When the grandson got his hands on it he also thought blacking everything out would do the trick too. That blackout grill just doesn’t look right.
WS – I think you’re right about the grandson bit – only a youngun’ (weren’t we once?) would think those effin’ poxy wheels would be an inducement to sale. Sure, a slant – either a careful 17 or a real careful 117K – but saying that, a survivor that’s had a touch of paint – put the wheels and caps back on, detail and try for 10 (or better still, keep)
Luke;
I don’t think she’s a bad old girl. I’d love to have it. Like you I’d switch it back to stock and enjoy years of air conditioned summer touring.
I’d keep it as is, except maybe add disc brakes in front if it isn’t so equipped.
Long after your ECU has failed and replacements are NLA, this thing will still be putt-putting down the road.
I think this qualifies as the “most for the least” I’ve seen on Barn Finds. A well preserved, possibly low mileage, 2 door hardtop ANYTHING for $7900 is almost impossible. The slant 6 doesn’t bother me. Not sure what a ’73 drives like, but when I was 14, my brother in law took me on an off road excursion in his ’64 Dart I will never forget. No lack of power there.
I love Dusters but I kinda like this little Scamp. That interior looks great too. I’d leave it as-is but those wheels gotta go- color- keyed factory steelies with poverty caps and white letter tires would be my choice.
$7900 is getting close to “just do it!” money….
Best car I’ve ever owned.
I’d still have it if I hadn’t wrecked it.
If those are heavier 17″ wheels, they will slow the car down. lol
The above mods to the slant 6 may not back up the blacked out grill & rear racing stripe. An overdrive trans & higher numerical gears would have been better.
I don’t buy the 18,000 miles one bit. The paint that doesn’t match, the grille painted black, and….why all the new engine parts?
Why would you paint the grille? Those are not original tires on those rims in the trunk. RR qtr. paint doesn’t match front half of car. Some big question marks, but the interior does seem to appear immaculate.
The carpet on the driver’s side looks a little lumpy. Almost looks in the way of the gas pedal working correctly.
It is odd Plymouth used the 1970 tail lights for 2 years after Dodge stopped using them.
I don’t see the supposed original miles as a positive because of the many “upgrades” that have been done to the car. You will still need to, if it hasn’t been done already, go through all the rubber items on the car.
I can’t believe people here are saying $7995.00 is a good price for a car that never sold for more than $500.00 used in its life.
I think one of the reasons the Duster sold better is because of the name. “Scamp” always sounded kind of girly to me.
My brain always puts and “i” on the word scamp, which makes me think of shrimp.
“Scamp” to me always meant like “little rascal” or so. Good name for a rascally little car :)
Why, why, why do people put Dodge bumblebee stripes on Plymouths???
Do people put Trans-Am hood birds on Camaros? Mach1 stripes on Cougars? No!
Only in the world of Mopar are differing brands so muddied and confused. A Dodge is not a Plymouth and a Plymouth is not a Dodge.
17,000 miles on a Slant Six means that it hasn’t even broke in yet. Just need to watch the rear leaf spring brackets to ensure that they don’t poke through the trunk floor.