While some enthusiasts prefer their classics original and unmolested, others are irresistibly drawn to a well-executed custom. If you fall into that category, you may find this 1971 Plymouth Valiant Scamp difficult to ignore. From its sparkling paint to its spotless interior, there is a lot to like about this beauty. However, its upgraded V8 could be the star of the show. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Mitchell G. for spotting this Plymouth located in Plymouth, Michigan. The seller has listed the Scamp here at Vanguard Motor Sales with an asking price of $59,900.
Plymouth introduced the Scamp to its Valiant range in 1971 as an alternative to the Dodge Dart Swinger. Available only in Hardtop form, it offered buyers affordable sporting looks without providing genuine muscle car performance. The seller indicates that this first-year Scamp recently underwent a meticulous nut-and-bolt refresh, with no aspect of the car escaping the builder’s attention. The panels are as straight as an arrow, cloaked in Rallye Red with a contrasting White vinyl top and matching White stripes. It is hard to fault the builder’s work, with the paint reflecting the car’s surroundings like a mirror. The underside shots confirm the car’s rust-free status, while the chrome and glass appear flawless. The Magnum 500 wheels provide a muscular look, an impression accentuated by the badges on the hood scoops.
The biggest engine buyers could choose to power their 1971 Scamp was a 318ci V8, although the VIN confirms that this car’s first owner selected the 198ci six producing 125hp and 180 ft/lbs of torque. This has been rendered irrelevant, courtesy of the mechanical upgrades performed during the build. The engine bay now houses a 340ci V8 of 1973 vintage, which sends its power to an 8¾” Sure Grip rear end with 3.23 gears via a three-speed TorqueFlite transmission. Power steering makes life easy behind the wheel, although the builder decided to skip the idea of power assistance for the brakes. You can rest assured that the upgraded engine will have unlocked a significant performance gain, something that most potential buyers will welcome. The seller supplies no information regarding the car’s mechanical health, but I would expect nothing less than perfection from a Scamp within this price range.
There’s really not a lot to say about this Plymouth’s interior, because it is in as-new condition. From its pristine White vinyl trim to the spotless carpet, dash, and crisp faux woodgrain, it wouldn’t look out of place on a showroom floor. The painted surfaces are immaculate, and an AM radio provides entertainment on long journeys. The impression conveyed is that this Scamp hasn’t seen much action since the build ended.
Placing a value on a modified vehicle is almost impossible, because cars of this type write their own rules. It is fair to say that if this 1971 Plymouth Scamp were an unmolested classic with the range-topping V8 under the hood, a figure of around $30,000 would be realistic. However, its spotless presentation and mechanical upgrades may appeal to somebody willing to pay extra for a special motoring experience. Do you think that the price is fair, or do you have another figure in mind?
I can’t believe some people will pay these inflated dealer prices. I’ve never bought a car from a dealer and more than likely I never will. It looks like a nice car but you can find restored numbers matching 4 speed 340 Swingers from more desirable years for less than what this dealer is asking for a highly modified ’71 Scamp. I am sure the dealer paid what most of us would consider fair market value and they have to add their requisite twenty grand on top. As the kids would say, that’s cray cray…
This dealer has some very nice, clean, and desirable cars, But, They are priced way out of the norm. Like you said 20 grand over what they should be!
This is a really sharp car in excellent shape but it is not worth 60thousand
$59k !!!!! No way sir! I like the rarity Scamp to its more visible cousin the Dart. Nicely done build but no way is this a $59k car.
Insert 3.91 gears ⚙️ and this 340 w Torq-flite will really scamper. 🏁
Very nice Dodge but like other comments way to much money and for a non matching drivetrain. Still a very clean Dodge!
Beautiful! But 60K? Ouch! For that price I’ll Go MOPAR “B” body.
People have trouble paying that much for a 2nd-gen Charger!
Not even #s matching…
Vanguard is known for unrealistic pricing.
Beautiful car, but can we please move away from calling underside shots of cars “rust free” because someone went crazy with undercoating? It’s a bit like claiming Tammy-Fae Baker was a natural beauty below the make up.
If you go to the auction site, you’ll see this car has been taken down to the bones and built back piece by piece to perfection. It’s as close as you can get to showroom floor condition + more you probably couldn’t get then – 55 years later. — It’s obvious the undercarriage was taken down to the metal – as was every other square inch of metal on this car – primed, repainted and the undercarriage got its undercoating applied. There are NO rust bubbles anywhere. – Go see for yourself. I don’t know if $59K will hold up at auction, but someone who had one and sorely wants it back may just cough up those bucks.
i hope he gets 60k because i have a petty blue one 340 fresh paint interior drivetrain with factory a/c
For that kinda of money I want buckets/column and a 4 spd….
(Console)
Beauty ride, but not nearly $60k worth. I was at Detroit Autorama & there was a restomod ’71 Demon with a 392 Hemi & a 6-gear they were asking $98k for. Unbelievable!
There are better options for that kind of money, it’s competing against every other car with a similar asking price and there is enough competition buyers don’t need to compromise. No matter how nice this car is, even with this drivetrain the market will be very small. This will need to be someone’s dream car to drop nearly $60k.
Steve R
It’s a very nice car. To me it’s not 60K nice but beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Who is ever buys it will enjoy years of trouble free motoring.
Recently premiered on MAX is a series named after the Scamp’s brother, “Duster” with a nice 340 under the hood of at least one of the 4 Dusters used in the series. One shot showed a Hurst shifter in the one manual trans vehicle. I’m guessing that the 4 Dusters maybe totaled the price of this Scamp’s wishful thinking.
I’ve been watching “duster” and even if you don’t like the show the in the opening credits they do a stop motion car chase and you gotta see it, its awesome!