Plymouth and Dodge borrowed alternative versions of their respective compact cars in 1971. While Dodge gained the Demon (a fastback based on the Plymouth Valiant Duster), Plymouth obtained the Scamp (which was a 2-door hardtop like the Dodge Dart Swinger). This 1973 edition of the Scamp looks mostly tame (except for the stance), but it has a 488 hp Stroker V8 under the hood. Located in Millsboro, Delaware. It’s available here on craigslist for $25,500. As far as cool tips go, Barn Finder Barney strikes again!
Wearing a Valiant front clip, the Scamp wasn’t available as a performance model, leaving that territory to Dodge. The car could be had with either a Slant-Six or a 318 cubic inch V8. Shoppers preferred the Swinger over the Scamp, selling 125,000 copies in 1973 vs. 54,000 for the Scamp. The seller’s car began life with the 318, but the seller (or someone else) built it from the block up to a 390 Stroker with all the bells and whistles.
We’re told the Stroker build has 3,000 miles on it while the odometer reads 30,500 (or 130,500?). The overall condition of the vehicle, especially the original interior, suggests the lower figure applies. The automatic transmission was also treated to some upgrades at the same time as the motor. Many of the performance goodies include parts from Edelbrock, Holley, Icon, Doug’s Headers, and a new front suspension package. The entire car now sits a bit higher than it would have from the factory.
The body and paint look great (the latter may have been reapplied), but the vinyl top and upholstery are all from 1973. The Rallye wheels are new, too, along with the Cooper tires. A ton more stuff is new, so the asking price certainly aims to recoup some of that investment. We’re told the Mopar was put on the dyno, and the torque measured 552 ft-lbs. Along with the 488 horses. Sleeper? Could be!
As a life long Mopar fan I love it! Perfection.
Scamp! Great sleeper! Trans? Rear end?
Exactly. It will likely be a hard sell at that price even if the engine and transmission were upgraded, if they weren’t all you get is a car that will sound nice but spin one tire as your moms Honda CR-V drives off into the distance.
Steve R
I have doubts the builder forgot about the rear end.
My buddy had a 64-5 Valiant 4 door with a hot 340 with a 4 speed. Beat the crap out of the hot cars in town. The ultimate sleeper
This is a sleeper for sure and a nice ride.
Nice find, nice write up, and nice car. What a sleeper, grandma’s grocery getter…
Wow. That’s the ultimate sleeper.
Very nicely done, this is the best way to bring old iron back to life. That said, I think there is more engine than rear tire, in this build.The owner will have to learn how to feather the fuel feed…
I can’t really find any reason to not like that one
My cousin had a Scamp, back when this commercial was on TV.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHhzNqE7RIE
Don’t think he liked us singing the jingle “that’s why this lady drives a Scamp”, lol.
looks great. should have left the engine bay body color and the motor blue with the stock tin for a more sleeper look.
Good looking car!! Should surprise a few people!!
I REMEMBER WHEN THE 75 OR 76 FRAMES CAME TWISTED FROM THE FACTORY STANDARD LMAO
Sure looks good with the stock hood. I’m sure your cover is blown by the sweet music it makes.
Now that’s what I’m talkin’ about! I hope too that the rest of the drivetrain supports the engine. If so, that baby should scream! Should surprise lots of folks. Can you squeeze some fat tires under the rear fenders? Clean and mean, even if it isn’t a Chevy.
I wonder what transfercase is installed, cause at that height, it has to be 4×4 , ahaha
488 hp from a 318. Hard to believe. I’m impressed!
I learned an old trick with these Dodges and Plymouths of this era. With no key, turn on your turn signals, your flashers and step on the brake pedal…. this sequence diverts power to the radio and you can turn it on. Try it! It has worked on every one of these I have tried it on………
The turn signals won’t work without the key.
LOL! I remember doing something like that back then, but IIRC, the radio only made sound when the turn signal was flashing, so it was intermittent.
Something like that, anyway.
I haven’t thought of that for close to 50 years – wow!
A really nicely presented street mod car at a reasonable price. It is disheartening that unless you are really good on the tree and able to modulate the launch, a Honda Civic Hybrid will probably show you its taillights. I have a similarly powered Duster, and on a non prepped track these 400+ HP, small tire cars are very hard to hook up, especially with a 3 speed auto and 3:91’s. It is fun to try to get it right and be in the low 13’s though.
Then again you can find the stock appearing FAST Dusters turning 9’s. I don’t see how that is even possible.
Awesome.