- Seller: Patti Tom T (Contact)
- Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan
- Mileage: 52,000 Shown
- Chassis #: JB3BE443XBU412557
- Title Status: Clean
- Engine: 1.6-Liter Inline-4
- Transmission: Twin-Stick 4-Speed Manual
UPDATE – The seller has added additional photos and lowered their asking price!
If you’ve looked at new cars recently, it’s not uncommon for them to be advertised as having 7, 8, or even 9-speed transmissions. It might seem novel to have so many gears, but it’s hardly new. While you wouldn’t expect to find eight gears to pick from in something like this 1981 Dodge Colt, this hatchback is equipped with what Dodge called the Twin-Stick 4-speed. While not technically an 8-speed manual, its selectable two-speed transfer case gave eight forward gears. Want to go for a spirited drive? Put it in “Power” mode. Want to save some fuel? Select ‘Economy’ and you’re off. This interesting captive import is being offered here as a Barn Finds Exclusive and is located in Kalamazoo, Michigan.
In the 1970s, Chrysler entered into a deal with Mitsubishi to import cars from Japan for the US market, competing in the growing compact car segment. The fourth-generation Colt was based on the front-wheel drive Mitsubishi Mirage. Several engine and transmission options were offered, with this one receiving the range-topping 1.6-liter 4-cylinder and Twin-Stick transmission.
The interior is surprisingly nice for an ’80s economy car, but it has only covered 52,000 miles since new. Besides some cracks in the dash, it doesn’t show signs of excessive wear. The seat upholstery was recently replaced and looks great. We don’t see signs of headliner issues. With some detailing, the interior could definitely be used as is. Parts supply isn’t the best, so having a complete and usable interior is a huge plus!
The 1.6-liter Mitsubishi 4G32 inline-4 cylinder engine is rated at 80 horsepower, so the Twin-Stick transmission is a welcome feature. These engines have proven to be quite robust, so it’s no surprise that this one still runs. The seller has recently completed some work to ensure the vehicle is drivable, including installation of a new battery, brake work, a new fuel tank, filter, wheel bearings, wiper blades, and replacement of light bulbs.
There’s some rust showing on the hood that should be addressed, but the seller states that the car is structurally sound and solid. So, if you’ve been on the hunt for a unique and affordable car to play with, this Dodge could be a fun option. You certainly wouldn’t see another one on the road, and it would likely be a hit at car shows! Be sure to make the seller an offer and leave any questions you have in the comments.
Guy I used to work with had an old Rambler, 3sp with OD, just for fun he’d split each gear. The multi-speed trannys of today are supposed to keep that engine running in that sweet spot for max power, emissions, and mileage. The Ram I have is 6sp auto, but I know I could get twice the performance out of it with a well ratioed 5sp manual.
I had this exact model down to the rims. I enjoy the twin stick. I had this back in the 80s. 1600 was a good engine. I installed headers a weber carb better tires monza muffler. This really handled well. Sounded great and really moved. This one is nice but the rust on the hood is an issue. It’s a fair price as long it’s not pushing oil out the back. Check for timing chain noise. May need a replacement if so. Otherwise it’s a fun car to have. Good luck to the next owner. 🐻🇺🇸
In actual practice, most owners would leave the range selector in Power mode for driving around town and only flip it to Economy for highway cruising, since that was the main point of it — a cheap and easy way for Mitsubishi to add an overdrive ratio to their existing 4-speed trans until they could develop a proper 5-speed.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitsubishi_Super_Shift_transmission
Grew up driving an 84 version twin stick. Good reliable car.
Sounds like a fun ride Bear 🐻 👍 and agree w Jim too. A manual can seek out the best mileage. Their claims autos are better are just that.
Stan.. I wish I still had it. But at that time sold it to someone I knew who needed a reliable vehicle for his job and he was desperate. I had another ride to drive. 🐻
We had an ‘82 Plymouth Champ, the only new car my father ever bought. Also the first Japanese car we owned and there was a huge difference between this and domestic cars we owned in terms of refinement and fun-to-drive. 80 hp might not sound like much but these cars are tiny. Really fun to rip through the gears in sport/power mode.
I bought this exact car new in 1981 to replace the 79 Champ I purchased brand new. Blew the motor autocrossing the 79 but did manage to get 2nd that year. The wife loved the ease of parking and great outer visibility of these cars. I installed a pop-up sunroof and reflective silver window tint on the 81. Also had these same wheels and 1.6L. Loved these cars but their engines seemed to be a weak point as the 81 eventually started to blow oil from the PVC valve to the air cleaner. Might have had something to do with my weekend fun runs. Sold the 81 and bought the wife a Oldsmobile 98 and bought myself a Fiat X1/9. Problem solved.
Azzura, it is truly refreshing to hear someone solved their car problems by buying a FIAT! I thought that I was a lone wolf with my 67 years of FIAT ownership which comes out to ‘way more than a million miles and no serious problems.
Oh, and more smiles per mile than ought to be allowed.
That was my first Fiat. Upgraded twice after the first 74 X1/9. A 79 and then a 84 Bertone. Ended up with the 1985 1/2 Pininfarina Azzurra. All pretty much trouble free, just a little tinkering here and there. And being in West Texas sure helped with any rust problems.
Technically she’s a 10-speed, with 8 forward, and 2 in reverse!! Learned to drive in my Dad’s new ’80 Champ 1.6/twin-stick before buying it from him with 100K in ’83. I rarely drove it reasonably, and it just kept taking whatever I threw at it!
Same durability with an ’84 Colt Turbo/twin-stick!
I bought one of these when I was a junior in high school – it was my very first all-new car (perk of working a dealership: employee discount!) Of all the dozens of cars I’ve ever had, this is still one of the most memorable.
The Colt had the quirky Twin-Stick transmission, and I tried a few times to row through all eight of them. Of course, that was an exercise in futility, but I guess it made me feel like a rally driver in my own head.
It also had power mirrors, which at the time, blew my friends’ minds. That is, until our buddy’s older brother showed up with a new 280ZX that had them too. Sure, his 280 would smoke my Colt from a stoplight – but my power mirrors were waaaay faster than his!
I almost got my butt whooped power drifting one of these through the gravel back lot of the local Exxon station…..owner was leaving out the back after a bad day I guess and nearly laid healing hands on my 19 year old self! Sorry dude! Car was a blast to drive
What in the world did he tow with this buggy – maybe snowmobile(s) trailered?
what did you tow with it – snowmobiles?
I am referring to the tow hitch pictured.
So, I’ve always wondered, whenever I see one of these pop up for sale – can the overdrive be dis/engaged on the fly? Or do you have to stop, select which ratio you want, then drive in that gear?
The power/economy lever can be shifted on the fly. These twin stick models proved to be a lot of fun for the enthusiast.
In either a Toyota Tercel (“Blackhawk Edition” – oohwhee!) or a Daewoo Lanos – (Like the Hyundai 3-door, but a better car with a dual overhead cam engine that they build up in eastern Europe and street-race against Beemer 3-series coupes – check the Youtube vids – Yah!) Uh, oh yeah, anyway, it had a button on the automatic transmission shifter labelled “Sport”, and sure enough, when you wanted a quick “get away” off the start or accelerating through traffic, you’d just reach down and push the Sport button, and it was like a deep downshift – VROOM! I miss that little Daewoo – and the Blackhawk too, for that matter, which was kind-of competition for (and looked a bit like) the Honda Accord coupe of the day, but had a spoiler – the only clue to it’s aspirations – and the later version looked more like a Fiero, or something Italian, body-style wise, but basically the same animal. I bought it with 270K on the odo and had to scrub it out with buckets of water to find out what color the upholstery really was (hint, not dark brown) – but it was still game well past 300K.
Yes, indeed, as commenter “TWestrup” says above, 2 speeds in reverse as well. The extra stick was like a second gear shift lever, push in the clutch when changing gears. One time in my former ’82 Champ, I drove into a narrow, long straight dead end stretch in front a small playground where several kids were on the swings, and rather than do a bunch of k-turns at the end to head back out, I backed out rather fast and did a gear change right in front of the kids to mess with their minds, Couldn’t resist (plenty of side/rear visibility in these, no kids were at risk of being run over). Kinda pointless for reverse otherwise, but these do work that way.
Can someone please tell me how this buying process works? How long does it take to hear if your offer is accepted? And does the owner of the car get the offer I made (along with my questions I sent) or Barn Finds? Sorry, I’m just new to this platform. Thank you in advance!