In the early days of subcompact cars, Ford and General Motors rolled out their own products. The Ford Pinto and Chevrolet Vega are two such examples. Chrysler went another direction, using badged-engineered versions of Japanese cars carrying Dodge and Plymouth decals. Between 1976 and 1980, Plymouth sold a variant of the Mitsubishi Celeste and called it the Arrow. The seller has a survivor from the car’s last year, and it drives well, but it isn’t the prettiest automobile you’ll pilot. Located in Lancaster, Ohio, this little econobox is available here on Facebook Marketplace for $4,800. This Mopar-ish tip is brought to us by “PRA4SNW”.
Chrysler sold these little cars all across North America as the Dodge Arrow in Canada and the Dodge Celeste in Puerto Rico. The Plymouth Arrow was a companion to the Dodge Colt in the U.S., and there was also an Arrow mini pickup. All of them had conventional engineering, with rear-wheel drive, leaf springs in the rear, and struts up front. The starting point for power was a 1.6-liter inline-4 that could come with a 4 or 5-speed manual transmission or a 3-speed automatic, such as in the seller’s Arrow.
The seller believes the mileage on this import to be correct at 38,000, though there is no proof to back it up. It runs and drives nicely, but does need a new fuel line before you venture out of the neighborhood. The Arrow came with factory air conditioning, though no mention is made of whether it produces cold air. The car’s prior owner (s) kept some of the original paperwork, including the window sticker.
Unlike many of its 1980 cousins, this car is rust-free and has avoided the scrap heap. The undercarriage is spotless, but the paint is probably beyond saving. The interior is also well-worn, but you could maybe drive the machine for a few more years as long as perfection isn’t a requirement or something you don’t want to spend a lot of money on. It’s up to the would-be buyer to decide if this Plymouth is “straight as an arrow”!
Rare autoloader Arrow.
Thanks to Mitsubishi, Chrysler was able to market an econobox that was halfway decent compared to such “classics” as the Vega and Pinto. I haven’t seen one of these in awhile, there aren’t many around any more. Chrysler even marketed an Arrow pickup (again, a Mitsubishi unit)! This example looks like it hasn’t had so much as a nodding acquaintance with a cleaning brush, both inside and out. And all it needs is a fuel line? No, that’s the first thing it needs. For the asking price I’d be a bit more critical of what the car really requires.
and didn’t they use Harry Nilsson’s song (from The Point) in their ads?
Me and my arrow..🎶 You still hear that on Sirius now and then.
I remember that cartoon special on TV when I was a kid. I want to say 1971?
With all those old Plymouth Dusters sitting around the corral , That seller has been working on , You would think Seller would know how to use a screw driver and put a simple rubber fuel line on it . If this has 38,000 miles on it , it has spent entire life outside . Blistered off paint and cracked /warped up dash. Whoever had this never cared one bit. Probly has original oil in it too.
I remember when these littered the landscape… a decent inexpensive compact… much more reliable than any Vega, and simply a better engineered car than a Pinto. They did rust away pretty quickly here in the northeast however… It’s gotta be 30+ years since I’ve seen one in the flesh.
My parents bought a new copper ’77 Arrow GT with white interior and manual (5-speed, I assume) when I was a kid. I remember it as being a really nice car, but then I never drove it, couldn’t reach the pedals, I’m sure. I’d actually love to have a nice one of these (so, not this one). I would be bowled over if he got anywhere near this asking price in that condition
I had a 77 version. 35 MPG with a 5 speed. Kept it 7 years and only money spent besides normal maintenance was one 1, yes 1 battery. Best little car I ever owned and the body style was a whole lot better than this one.
I’m surprised no mention was made about the homemade fender flares. They might be functional, but it’s hard to say how well it was done.
I had a ’76 with a 5 speed and the larger, two liter “silent shaft” engine. Great car – I was sad to see it go.
I think those may be the stock wheelarch flares, just painted matte black for some reason along with the rocker sills and lower door skins. Might indicate some prior rust repair, half-assedly painted over in black rather than trying to match the factory color.
I once owned a ’77 Arrow back around 1989 and it was bare bones but was a great everyday runner. Not a quick accelerator but dependable.
I purchased a new 1979 Plymouth Champ. At the same time, I remember seeing an Arrow on the sales floor. It was called a Fire Arrow, special paint and the bigger 2.6L motor. Nice car but I was wanting FWD. Nevertheless, I test drove the Fire Arrow. Was pretty quick but sounded like I was riding in a tin can. The Plymouth Champ had much less interior noise and was also less expensive. Besides, I wanted to autocross and the FWD class, (GS I believe) was less crowded.
My friend John had a Fire Arrow. Sharp looking in the two tone tan and copper. Much quicker than my Horizon.
Sure, I remember the Plymouth Fire Arrow and the Dodge Challenger 2.6 four bangers. (No kidding!)
back to Click’n Clack on the durability, MPGs, & low maintenance.