The Dodge Rampage was a subcompact unibody coupe utility (aka small pickup) based on Chrysler’s L platform built from 1982 to 1984. The Rampage was later joined for one year by its rebadged variant, the Plymouth Scamp. Much of the construction and front-end pieces were borrowed from the sporty Dodge Omni 024 (later renamed the Charger). Located in Dayton, Ohio, the seller has two apparently identical 1982 editions that can be had here on craigslist for $6,000 as a pair. One seems like a viable project, while the other may be a parts car, so you could create one good one out of the duo. Thanks, Pat L., for more tips!
This was not the industry’s first attempt at a “gentleman’s pickup”. Ford started the movement in 1957 with the Ranchero and Chevrolet followed along in 1959 with the El Camino. Chrysler wasn’t prepared to join in the fray until the opportunity arose with the Rampage and Scamp more than 20 years later. These weren’t peppy vehicles at first, with a 2.2-liter inline-4 that produced at least 84 hp. In 1982, a 4-speed manual and an automatic transmission did the job before a 5-speed would come later and provide some extra oomph.
The trucks didn’t take off as Chrysler had hoped so the project was dropped after three years. During that time, just 37,401 Scamps were built while only 3,564 Scamps saw the light of day. From the photos the seller has provided, these two 1982 Scamps may look the same with just whitewall tires to tell them apart. Or the photos are of only the good ones with musical chairs regarding the tires. BTW, you don’t have to take both trucks, but only one price is mentioned, so why not make the best out of the offer?
Good Car
Not much is missing except the rear window and bumper. The doors aren’t great, so you could borrow the ones from the other vehicle. It has a new carburetor, but the brakes will need work. Some of the pickup’s underpinnings will need some attention. It’s a running truck when fed fuel through an external source (the gas tank was rusted out and removed). New parts waiting for installation include the fuel tank, seatbelts and carpeting, and a center console lifted from a 1989 Omni.
Bad Car
The floorboards are rusted out due to sitting in a cornfield. But it has a complete engine and transaxle, a mostly complete interior, and factory wheels. Most of the photos are of parts and pieces and could be usable in either vehicle, but I’d focus my attention on the “good car” and harvest organs from the bad one.
(crickets chirping) A shame, really, Americas only FWD pickup,,oh, oh, there’s those crickets again. I had a hankerin for one of these for a spell, a friend had one and liked it, a rear topper greatly increases covered space, but just another automotive swing and a miss, of which there were a few, and never tried again. Optimism usually leads to these prices, quickly squelched by actual demand, and they should be lucky to have anyone give them anything for these.
In the mid ’80s I wanted a VW truck, but we had our first child so it was a Rabbit instead :).
However I think this Dodge, that VW, and maybe the El Camino probably inspired the designers of my Honda Ridgeline, which I appreciate!
Always wanted to drop one of my 340’s in one, but those days are over now.
Studebaker and Hudson made them 20 years before Ford.
I’m a Chrysler guy and I always liked the VW pick up and I liked these. A little under powered but manageable. $6000.00 is, IMHO, about $3000.00 to high, but with the wonky prices we see now it is in line, I guess
I had an ’85 Dodge Charger, 2.2/4 speed.
Nice little car, and I would assume the PU would be too.
If you want a VW pick-up (or other makes as well) go here:
https://www.smythkitcars.com/.
I have had the kit for a couple of years to convert one of my MK$ VWs. Now all I need is the time to do it.
MK 4 VWs
I had a auto repair shop in 1982 and a guy brought one of these in and said it didn’t run right. I told him he should take it to the dealer it’s brand new they would fix it for free under the warrenty I’d have to charge $15/hr. He said the dealer wouldn’t fix it they would just put a ano0ther carb on it and he would have the same problem. So he agreed to pay me and I found he was correct. The power valve and the piston that operated it were both convex and there was enouigh slop in their bore such the the valve and piston could bypass and get jammed. A center punch to the piston end fixed it.
Ford built them in the Twenties maybe earlier than that. Ck out a T model pickup truck. It used the front of a passenger car.
And I loved the Hudson and the Studebaker.
Have a good day.
My dad had a Rampage for several years in the mid-late-’80s, very sharp looker in black with red pinstripes, turbine-style machined-face alloy wheels, alloy bed rails and a vinyl tonneau cover over the bed.
These had a true half-ton cargo rating, which was more than adequate for all the occasional hauling duty Dad needed as a homeowner and volunteer church groundskeeper, meanwhile serving as a stylish, reasonably peppy and nice-handling work commuter and household second vehicle.
I have to agree with SubGothius on the utilitarian use of this small truck. I bought an 82 brand new in the black and red sport option. A sharp looking vehicle. I was single at the time and it hauled my dirt bike no problem and pulled a snowmobile trailer with one snowmobile no problem. Weekly mileage was 26 mpg. The cam eventually wore out and I replaced it myself with little difficulty. The rear quarters were prone to rust. Wish I would have got it rustproofed I’d still have it today. Some guys dropped the Shelby turbo engine in them too.
a fave along w/brat, 60s chero, some of the Japanese lill “pick ups” (these are not trucks, dude, no matter what U say), vee dub diesel, my ’66 bronk…
Some made ’em hot w/speedy bits from an even more sporty Qmni off shoot w/a race car driver’s name (wuz it a Shelby model GLH turbo or sompin?). Seemed so odd, back in the day, to see a ‘frnt wheel burn out’…
Omni was labeled ‘the 1st world car’ altho it was not.
Had a 83 rampage around 1992, paid 300 bucks for it. Wondered why heater never got warm. Kept overheating also. Found out had head gasket blown. First 4 cylinder. Live and learn I guess. I junked it.