Car-based trucks are one type of vehicle that always seemed to be a better idea on paper than in reality. Melding the comfort of a car with the carrying capacity of a truck seemed like a sure thing, But other than the Aussies and their Utes, they’ve always been a bit of a niche vehicle. But this not-so-odd example is located in New Hampshire and can be found here on craigslist for a reasonable $4,000.
By 1985, the Ford Ranchero and VW Rabbit pickup were gone, leaving only the Chevy El Camino and the deathtrap Subaru Brat in the netherworld between cars and trucks. The Rampage (and it’s one-year brother, the Plymouth Scamp) have an interesting history which can be read in depth here. Interestingly, they were the first front-wheel drive American trucks. And while this example isn’t a rare 1-of-218 street-fighting Shelby model, I’d likely agree with the seller that this could be one of the cleanest surviving examples on the east coast. According to the seller, it was originally a Texas car so has no rust, and the body has some paint chips only, no dings or damage. Rallye-style wheels are nice.
Under the hood we find a transverse-mounted 84 horsepower four-cylinder 2.2 liter engine with two-barrel carburetor; this provided relatively peppy acceleration for the malaise era. It’s backed up by a 5-speed manual gearbox. The seller states “Runs excellent, drives great”, and notes the A/C has been covered to R-134.
The interior looks very well-preserved for a 35-year-old vehicle, although those seat covers don’t look original. Always good to see a “millennial anti-theft device”, aka a stick shift.
The bed looks quite pristine and free of dents and rust. With a modest 1,145 pound carrying capacity, most of these saw light duty at best – even though that was within 100 lbs. of the rating of the larger ’83 El Camino.
The seller concludes the ad by stating “I’d like to see this go to a good home” – a nice gesture and is a good indicator it has been well taken care of. It’s good overall condition, thrifty engine, and small size actually make these a practical vehicle today. So is it “business in the front, party in the back”, or the other way around on this one?
Very nice looking Rampage and seems to be a good price for the condition. Really hope it does go to a good home.
Loved the comment “Always good to see a “millennial anti-theft device”, aka a stick shift.”
That’s one godawful looking pickup. I know beauty is in the eye of the beholder but?
There were no ‘Shelby’ Rampages. There were ‘CS’ models marketed in California. These had no Shelby logos or name from Chrysler. They did have Shelby Charger stripes and ground effects. CS stood for ‘California Special’, just as it did on some Mustangs back in the day. Some California dealers mistakenly, perhaps intentionally, advertised them as ‘Shelby’s’ which is how the rumor got started. Just as ’86 Daytona’s labeled as ‘CS’ are now called Shelbys (Shelby didn’t license the name for Daytona’s until 1987), when in fact CS on those cars stood for ‘Competition Suspension’. It’s too bad the rumor that there were Shelby Rampages marketed keeps being perpetuated, as they are easy to create using Shelby Charger parts, so buyers are duped. There were as many as 3 Rampages modified for use at the Shelby skunkworks, and 2 are in private hands, but they were never marketed or licensed by Chrysler as such.
I had a Plymouth Horizon TC3. It was a fun little car with a VW/Audi drive train.
Would this Rampage have that or had they switched to the Chrysler(?) mill by then?
https://www.allpar.com/omni/rampage/index.html
I found this info on the CS version on the AllPar site:
https://www.allpar.com/omni/rampage/index.html
There was a Shelby rampage. Only 214 were made
America’s only front drive pickup. I read Ford is considering re-introducing the mini pickup. Finally, I can only imagine what that would be like, certainly not the simplicity of this truck. Still a bit steep for me, but a great find. Tons of parts around, this truck could work for years yet. Needs the optional cap, though. Or, there’s always this,
https://www.flickr.com/photos/27587130@N02/3433736876
I’ve always liked the car based trucksters, and the Rampage is no exception. I always recall these being driven around town by older gentlemen… perfect support vehicle for puttering around the house or hobby shop.
Our surveying crew had these set up for work, certainly saved a lot of walking! One time I asked the boss about the cost of running three of them compared to a Suburban and two Honda 110 trail bikes. He said that the Rampages won hands down, a big claim considering the well known dependability of the Suburbans and Honda’s.
I had one of these I bought from a neighbor in the early 90’s, it was great for taking small errands for my business at the time, don’t always need a full size pickup, great for getting around the city. This one is even better because it’s a stick. If something like this was built again I would buy a few. Seems like there is no product mix anymore within the big 3, they build a few types of vehicles, and they consider their product mix; selling you over priced options packages on a limited number of vehicles.
I had one of these for several years, a 1984 model. They are quite rare. Good, dependable engine, but very “tinny” build quality–no sound insulation anywhere; floppy hood with one prop rod, like a 1950s Studebaker; doors were about as “tinny” as you could get, and the exterior door handles had a bad habit of breaking. The final straw was one of the front hubs went bad at around 70,000 miles and a replacement was over $500. Friend of mine in northern New York state had one and loved it–best vehicle ever for snow drifts, he said, just jam the front end into a snow drift and it eventually digs down to solid pavement and goes anywhere in the winter. Good gas mileage, too.
Town where I worked used one as their animal control vehicle (dog catcher’s ride) for several years, which was perfect for light-duty, around town work.
Always liked these! This is a pretty nice example, especially with the 5 speed.
I have a ‘true’ ’83 Direct Connection Rampage order thru DC only 278 made and only distributed in Canada. Build Y39 dictates a ‘special order’ vehicle for Chrysler and could not be ordered thru a dealer..
Dog on me ( dodge omni)
My paternal grandfather bought one of these new in 1983 with the sporty Shelby paint effects on it. He had a custom cargo cap on it too. Had the automatic. As I recall there was a red stripe on the upholstery of the bucket seats, although I am not 100% sure of that memory. When it was new it was relatively peppy, and he enjoyed bombing around in his little sports truck. We had fun going places in it together. After he died my uncle wound up with it and ran it into the ground along with his other full size 1983 Dodge Ram that was in mint condition that my cousin rescued from him. Bless his heart, my uncle didn’t know how to take care of a vehicle.
That happens a lot, the old timers take really great care of their vehicles, and after they pass on it goes to a relative who trashes it post haste. There are so many of these types of vehicles at the auctions, low mileage Cadillacs, Lincoln’s,with super low mileage, and blown transmissions, headgasets etc…
I always thought these were cool little trucks but my wife considered it grounds for divorce along with the rusty 1986 XJ6 I wanted.
There are some things she just never forgets…
I had a new automatic. Good handler because of small size. Needed 30 more HP. Kept wearing out one side of one of the front brake pads. Used it as a roofing estimating truck. Wouldn’t mind having it back.