“Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery” is a famous quote from author Oscar Wilde. And that also applies to divisions of automobile manufacturers. Case in point is the Plymouth Scamp, a 2-door hardtop inspired by the successful Dodge Dart Swinger. The Swinger came first in 1969, the Scamp in 1971 (and both stuck around through 1976). This 1972 Scamp has had a lot of work done to it, resulting in the seller proclaiming it as one of the nicest around. Located in Williamstown, New Jersey, this sweet Mopar is available here on craigslist for $18,250 (interesting asking price). Our thanks to Mitchell G. for another groovy tip!
The Scamp wasn’t as popular as the Swinger but still held its own. For example, Dodge peddled more than 119,000 Swingers in ’72 while Plymouth’s Scamp found nearly 50,000 Scamps. One key difference was that Plymouth didn’t use the Scamp to woo performance buyers, while Dodge sold Swinger 340s for a time. The hottest engine you could get in a Scamp was the 2-barrel, 318 cubic inch V8 (like in the seller’s car). But the one in this Plymouth has been souped up some.
Though this Mopar looks as mild-mannered as Clark Kent, it has some pep in its step. The innards to the 318 have been modified and we suspect it produces a lot more than the stock 230 horses. We don’t know if any of the numbers match and other new parts include the fuel and water pumps, suspension components, brakes, and tires, as well as some items in the passenger compartment.
All of this adds up to a great-looking and running vehicle, and the seller says it will come with a flood of paperwork topped off by the car’s broadcast sheet. The seller indicates a willingness to do a trade and provides quite the mix of possibilities. All-in-all, this could be one of the nicest Scamps left, and maybe the odometer reading of 57,000 miles may apply to the overall Plymouth.
Bit of a sleeper Scamp here 😴 💤 🏁
Asking over 18k??? Good luck.
This is SO cool. This was the car junior “inherited” from Grammy grams on his or her 16th birthday, upon passing the drivers test, that is. No, no, gramps wanted you to have it. Aw, Grammy( big hug), now you take care of it,,,oh I will, they said, and the fun began. Granny was getting on in years anyway and never knew. This car cost the grand folks about $2600 new. The V8 and automatic the big options, a grocery/church car for sure. Then the kid took hold. I suspect a 4 barrel, dual exhaust, nothing fancy, but plenty of V8 fun, maybe even a burnout. I don’t see headers so not too much, but this was also what I call a “gateway” car. The taste of speed is awful addicting, especially in the 70s, and that hemi ( or 440/6) Cuda wasn’t far away.
Just touch up the undercoating that has peeled away from the bottom of the spare tire well, it’s not serious, but I see a little surface rust just starting at a seam where the undercoating has gone AWOL, so some touch up paint and a little undercoating will keep the rust from getting a foothold. Rust is like cancer, catch it early, and the patient stands an excellent chance of a full recovery. Let it fester, however, and it will kill a car quickly, and nothing short of major surgery and chemotherapy, in the form of chemical paint stripping or media blasting, metal replacement and a full repaint will stop it!
Seems like a nice car, and good price. Buckets and a manual would be better, and more $$. But clean small bumpers, unchoked 318. And Mopars like this seem to be getting crazy prices.
It will sell.
Howard didn’t look at Craigslist pics or he needs new Trifocals,I see headers.
A super clean, low mileage example of the breed, with the relatively rare 318 V8 (most got a Slant Six). When it’s time to rebuild the engine, that 318 can become a 340 with a bore job, add a stroker crank and a 360 is in reach! “There is no replacement for displacement!” – Anonymous. The V8, Torque-Flite A/T and AM radio weren’t the only option checked off on the order sheet, though. I note the presence of turn signal repeaters on the front fenders! Granny got frisky with the option list, Whoo Hoo!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chrysler_LA_engine
With the condition of this and all of that engine work, it could very well be worth the asking price. 18K is the new 10K of just a few years ago, unfortunately.
Being from Joisey, those body panels will have to pass the magnet test first.
Lots to like here. I think the seller won’t have much of a problem finding a buyer or a trade for this. Like they say, the lack of rust is a big plus with these Mopars. And for me, the engine with its nice modifications is like Goldielocks: just right. GLWTS.
The “Scamp” appears to be worth the asking price. As another said – the undercarriage can be power cleaned and undercoating reapplied. And the engine appears to have been nicely beefed up and a new intake manifold with a 4 brl carb would make it even more aggressive.
I’ve had a lot of Chrysler products and have been thoroughly satisfied with each one. However, I’ve always been critical of Chrysler’s choice of model names, and even more so with AMC’s model names. “Scamp” and “Swinger” and others, IMO, are stupid juvenile nameplates that I believe had a real dampening effect on their sales. The “Dart” barely passed muster with me, but it too was weak. And what does a “bee” have to do with a car. The “Super Bee” with it’s light in the loafers carton bee decal is another example. And the “Road Runner” – geez… – what car doesn’t “run on the road”? As long as they’re going with carton characters, I’m surprised they didn’t have a Plymouth or Dodge “Mighty Mouse” or “Bugs Bunny”. At least they didn’t go with a Plymouth “Puny”. – IMO, they should have stuck with the number system – like the Chrysler 300 and Dodge 340 and 440 with letters following the numbers to designate various models – like Mercedes does, and I’m convinced it would have made a big difference in their sales numbers.
Pretty bare bones, with just the V8, AM Radio and the automatic transmission as major options, but it looks like the original owners might have spring for the turn signal repeaters on the front fenders, as there are two (2) little chrome nubs on top of each front fender that used to hide the repeaters, IIRC.
I was just thinking that Chrysler’s V8’s always seemed to be a bit larger than the comparable competition from Ford or GM. The entry-level small-block from Chrysler was a 318, while Ford and GM had 302, 305, and 307, respectively. The mid-level choice from Chrysler was a 360, but Ford had the 351 and GM used a 350. Chrysler’s entry-level big-block was comparable at 383, compared to Ford’s 390 and the GM 396, but the top dogs were the 426 Hemi and 440.
Are the hub caps from a Dodge?