Museum Quality: 1986 Plymouth Horizon

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We seem to be seeing a few cars come across our desks here at Barn Finds that usually wouldn’t cause us to bat an eyelid. They are vehicles that their builders conceived as basic family transport, and under most circumstances, they would hardly justify being classed as a classic. However, while cars like this 1986 Plymouth Horizon don’t necessarily break the rules, they do bend them slightly. That is because you will struggle to find another Horizon of this vintage that is this spotless. It appears to have led a sheltered existence and been treated with care and respect. With a mere 30,000 miles on the clock, the odometer reading helps it to stand out from the crowd. It is set to go to a new home, so the owner has listed it for sale here on eBay. The Plymouth is located in Cape Coral, Florida, and the owner has set the BIN at $8,500.

It’s hard to know where to start with this Plymouth. Its panels wear Ice Blue paint that appears to be flawless. There are no significant chips or marks, and the panels are laser straight. A bit of investigation allowed me to uncover some basic information about this car’s history. The original lady owner purchased the vehicle from Galeana Chrysler in Fort Myers, Florida. She used it sparingly before it found its way to her grandson. It isn’t clear whether this occurred due to her passing, but he listed it for sale earlier this year when it was purchased by the seller. It seems that the original owner cherished the car because it has been garaged since new, and there aren’t any faults worth noting. The trim is in excellent order, the wheels are free from damage and stains, while the trim rings and center caps are in as-new condition. With glass that is flawless, the car seems to live up to the seller’s description as being of museum quality.

If the Horizon’s exterior presentation is impressive, the interior seems to continue that theme. The seats and door trims are upholstered in Light Blue vinyl, and they appear perfect. There is no evidence of wear or physical damage, with the seatcovers looking as tight and wrinkle-free as they would have the day the car rolled off the showroom floor. The plastic hasn’t suffered due to exposure to UV rays, and the carpet only shows some light wear on the driver’s side. The seller indicates that it came from a family of non-smokers, so the interior retains its new car smell. The original owner liked her luxury touches, so this car features air conditioning, cruise control, and an AM/FM stereo radio.

Powering this Plymouth is a 2.2-liter four-cylinder engine that should be producing 96hp. Shifting duties fall to a three-speed automatic transmission, and while the 18.1-second ¼-mile ET might not seem that impressive today, it was considered very respectable for a car of this type in 1986. The seller indicates that the vehicle has 30,000 genuine miles on the clock but doesn’t say whether he holds verifying evidence. If the vehicle’s overall condition is taken at face value, the claim looks plausible. The seller has recently replaced the timing belt and pulley, along with the water pump. He says that it runs and drives like new, making it ripe to be enjoyed by its next owner.

There’s little doubt that this 1986 Plymouth Horizon is one of the best examples you will likely see in today’s market. Its level of presentation is astounding for its age, and it seems to need nothing. However, the reality is that it was conceived as little more than basic commuter transport, and values tend to reflect their age and general condition. Under normal circumstances, the average ’86 Horizon shouldn’t lighten the buyer’s pocket by more than $2,000. These aren’t normal circumstances, so a higher price is justified. As previously mentioned, the original owner’s family listed the car for sale earlier this year. On that occasion, it sold for $7,000. It appears that the current seller is a dealer, so with that information in hand, it might give you a starting point if you are considering negotiating with the seller.

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Comments

  1. Bluetec320 Bluetec320

    There are a heck of a lot of places to throw $8500, and regardless of the condition, an old Horizon isn’t one of them, IMO.

    Like 52
    • Jimmy Boy

      hear hear!!!

      Like 4
  2. Holly BirgeMember

    This listing is making me sad. The BAT seller was so earnest and even included the beach ball in the sale. And it was the BAT seller that put in the new timing belt, etc. I hate to be mean, but I hope this guy’s attempt to flip this car fails.

    Like 32
  3. Howard A Howard AMember

    “Relax, Plymouth Horizon can handle it”,,,was the chant. Let’s for a sec leave the shenanigans of these sellers behind ( I know, I’m the worst offender)and let’s focus on what a game changer this car was. If you were in diapers when these cars hit the scene, here’s the deal. Our economy was being DECIMATED by foreign products, and our own cars were our biggest asset. In the 60’s and 70’s, we made ’em, we bought ’em, things worked well. Suddenly, America was caught with it’s pants down, and sorely needed our own FWD vehicle. These re-badged imports just didn’t cut it, and Pinto and Vega/Chevette,,well, you know. Enter Lee Iacocca, and many others, Iacocca just gets all the credit, but it was these cars and all their variations, that literally saved Chrysler, AND whether you want to admit it or not, our economy as well, and got things back on track,,,for a while, anyway. These were made in the midwest, Belvidere, Ill and Kenosha, for a spell, and saved many a job,and related trickle down jobs,again, for a while. They are nothing special, really, pretty much what every “econobox” offered, with one huge difference. It was made right here. With the demise of Ramblers, these became the next vehicles many older folks catered to, as shown here. Okay, I think the early ones used VW motors, but I always said, with the Omni/Horizon, there was no need to buy a foreign car. Ironically, like my old man before me, thought it un-American to do so. Naturally, times change, and one simply can’t ignore foreign products today, and just as well, we are a much more global society than my old man ever imagined, but it’s amazing to see this at all, from a time when parking lots were full of these cars. Today, you’d be hard pressed to find another. Great find, and sorry to babble, but clearly, I feel very strongly about these cars.

    Like 43
    • Terrry

      You were right, the first ‘Omni-Rizons” used the VW Rabbit engine. In ’83 they got the 2.2 engine used by Chrysler in several models. And back in the early 90s I worked with a guy who owned three of them. He loved the things! And I knew someone else who had an Omni O24, the sport hatchback version of the same car. She liked it too!

      Like 13
      • Anonymous

        Horizons had a 2.2 with a Carb starting in 1981 actually. My first car was an ’82 of this variety with a 3 speed auto I acquired in 2004 as the 3rd kid in a row in my family to get it. It was in ’83 they introduced some sort of fuel injection so mine was just old enough for me learn the hard way about vapor lock.

        Like 0
      • Tom Coughlin

        The 2.2 engine was first offered in 1981. My first “new” car was a 1981 Dodge Charger 2.2 with this engine.

        Like 7
    • SubGothius

      Lest anyone think, “I thought the K-cars saved Chrysler…” guess what the K-car platform was derived from? These earlier L-cars.

      Ah, but guess what the L-cars were derived from? The Simca 1307, developed at Simca and styled by Roy Axe at the former Rootes Group facility in Whitley, who also styled the Simca Horizon which was basically a short-wheelbase 1307 under the skin.

      So ultimately we have Chrysler’s decision to buy controlling interests in Simca and Rootes in the ’60s to thank for their survival in the ’80s.

      Like 9
      • CJinSD

        It’s really not that simple. US Omni/Horizon shared its automatic transmission with the Simca, but that was an American design. Otherwise, the US car had more in common with a Rabbit in terms of both mechanical design and common parts. The French car had torsion bar suspension and small, pushrod engines. The US car had coil springs and MacPherson struts, like a VW. The US car also reached production before the French car, so its hard to say it owed too much to cars that weren’t similar mechanically and weren’t in production yet. After Chrysler had used up its contracted VW-Audi engines and introduced their own 2.2 Trans-4 as their main engine, they did offer a Peugeot-produced 1.6 liter pushrod engine as a rarely seen option, but that was as close as the two cars ever got.

        Like 4
      • local_sheriff

        Perhaps, but the 1307 and Horizon were regarded as lousy used cars in Europe even though they both received the European car of the year award, and made Euro customers keep any vehicle carrying the Chrysler nameplate at an arm’s length for years!

        Like 1
    • Kent Slonaker

      These were a French design. They provided the basis for the K cars. We’re it not for the French, Chrysler would have been lost. France would save them again when Renault provided the chassis for the LH cars.

      Like 0
  4. FordGuy1972 FordGuy1972

    The Plymouth Horizon and its cousin the Dodge Omni were what you bought in the ’80s when you couldn’t afford a real car. They were cars you bought with the knowledge that they were basically throw-away cars after a few years. I can’t believe someone will pay $8,500 for a cheap econo-box that’s worth about $2,500. I agree with Bluetec320; I can think of a million things to throw $8,500 at and a Plymouth Horizon isn’t one of them.

    Like 11
    • Terrry

      They were certainly better cars than the first Hyundai Excel, anyway. Now the Excel was a real pile compared to these and it’s a wonder Hyundai wasn’t chased off of America’s shores after that.

      Like 15
      • Mikefromthehammer

        You guys to the south of us did not have the joy(?) of purchasing the Hyundai Pony as we did in Canada. Now that was the first biodegradable car (some might say it was the Yugo, but the Yugo was a much better car). I took one out for a test drive in 1985 and could not believe that anyone would buy one.

        Like 6
      • Howard A Howard AMember

        I had the Mitsubishi Precis, same as the Excel. Got it cheap, wasn’t a bad car, really, I don’t think I ever got gas for it,,, but when I hit a small deer, the front crumpled like aluminum foil, and it was good-bye Precis. Good thing it wasn’t a Mack truck,,,

        Like 2
    • Terrry

      Look at who’s selling it. A dealer, that’s who and of course, the car is priced about 3k above it’s real value. I rather like this car but after paying less than $8500 for a 2002 SLK230 (at a dealer no less) in just as good of condition, I’ll pass.

      Like 7
    • Raymond

      Yes, price is too high, but i had 3, none failed me or left me stuck, cant say that for a lot of cars ive owned, dont knock em…

      Like 2
  5. nlpnt

    My heart says yes, I want this car – my mom had one and it was the first car I ever drove, in this color, identical apart from hers having cloth seats and some dealer-installed exterior add-ons on this one. My head says I’d get bored with it soon, too much like my daily-driver manual Honda Fit but with 30 years’ worth of lower tech and that stomp-the-gas-and-wait slushbox.

    Like 3
  6. Mark

    A neighbor bought a new 78 Dodge Omni this color on introduction day. He drove it until 2000. His wife died and he sold the Omni and kept her Buick Park Avenue

    Like 6
  7. Alexander

    A 1986 car buyer here………..

    When I went shopping for a car in September 1986, it came down to a VW Golf (lost to an obnoxious VW dealer, and the Fox was a year later), the Dodge/Plymouth Colt (re-badged Mitsubishi Mirage), and as I was shopping Chrysler started pushing the Plymouth Horizon AMERICA, with a discounted price for 1987 model year.The name was to reflect competition with foreign econoboxes, but also reflected the shift of production to the AMC Kenosha plant.

    I distinctly remember the math I did: The Horizon as offered was cheaper, but the difference in gas mileage (22/24, and that was optimistic, versus 28/33 for the Colt and that proved to be an understatement) meant the difference in price would have been eaten up in about eight months. The Colt lasted me a solid ten years and 140,000 miles before blowing a head gasket; had I known then what I know now after 25 years of Saturn S-series cars, I probably could have gotten another five years out of it………

    Like 8
  8. Bick Banter

    Great! It can go in my museum, right next to my 1981 Pontiac Phoenix and 1985 Chevrolet Celebrity.

    Like 13
    • AnthonyD

      Bick…I’m guessing admittance to your museum is free?

      Like 2
  9. onree

    I’ve corresponded (through eBay) with the seller. He is the same person who sold it on BAT. Says the buyer, richjs43, wanted to ship the car to Hawaii but because of port situation couldn’t get shipping, so backed out of the deal. Seller info on eBay info says that he is in Sparta, GA but the car is in FL. eBay now shows it at $8500

    Like 12
    • jess

      onree

      My buddy who owns the car said you called him and it was an odd conversation almost like you were a detective posing as a buyer..

      So what are you?

      Like 0
  10. Joe

    Is it me or is there a big blemish on the front passenger door? Usually that would prohibit the term museum quality.

    Like 4
    • Ahzweepai

      It looks like a big blemish at first, but I think it is actually the reflection of a beach ball.

      Like 1
  11. Vance

    Had a high school friend of mine whose Father had bought an 024 in 1979. FWD was really a non-factor in my life at this time, I don’t believe I had ever driven in one before. We had a bad winter in 1979 Michigan, and I was snowed in with 1 foot and bigger drifts, and we were 8 miles from town. He wanted to come pick me up on a Friday night, and I said there was no way in hell he would make it. Well he did and we made it, I was amazed at what a FWD would go through. People say they have to have 4×4 or AWL, trucks and SUVs yes, cars hell no. I lived in AZ for 25 years, and most people never had engaged it.

    Like 8
  12. Doug from MD.

    Having worked at a Plymouth dealership that also sold Toyotas I remember these things well. Minimum wage was around 4.25 a hour so you had to be wise with money then. So I put my money on a reliable car and got a used corolla. America sold its people junk and didn’t care. Buy American and buy again in 3 years buy a Toyota and drive for years until it rusted in half. Just my 2 cents.

    Like 5
  13. Car Nut Tacoma

    Beautiful looking car. I remember these cars. My cousin owned one back in the 90s. I don’t know exactly how reliable the car was, since it wasn’t mine. But I loved riding in it. For its size, it was quite comfortable. If only more pics were posted on eBay of the car. The more pics posted, the better.

    Like 3
  14. Troy

    I would buy it and drive it but not for $8500 bucks $4200 max maybe $5k

    Like 1
    • Car Nut Tacoma

      I agree. However good its condition may be, I wouldn’t pay that much for a car like this.

      Like 0
  15. Russ Larsen

    I could write a book on this. We graduated from a 1974 Dodge Colt (pos) and bought a new 1980 Omni (pos); our last Chrysler product. VW motor was the only positive. What quality; paint fell off the door jams every time I washed it. Those front corner lens are held on by silly putty. Really! When closing front doors I could see out between window frame and the A pillar, solution; open doors, roll down windows, insert wrecking bar and bend window frame back where it should have been- touch up popped off paint, if you have any left from car washing- all done in dealer body shop. All four outside door handles broke and these were used on these and K Cars for years- nice source of shop income for dealers! AT problems too so got rid of it at 35,000 miles. Never again.

    Like 4
  16. Cal Hunter

    Used these as our fleet of News vehicles… Loved their reliability… But they’re only good for about 125 k miles. I’d offer 5k for it… but not a cent more. Old cars especially basic ones, go down in value. This is not worth the asking price. Sorry, but it’s not!.

    Like 0
  17. Lance Platt

    A Plymouth Horizon or Dodge Omni was not anyone’s dream car even when new so I understand the negative collector comments. However. The L bodies were affordable, dependable, space efficient hatchbacks which is what any driver needs but may not lust after. They were styled like a VW Rabbit/Golf that were hot sellers in the USA and Europe and the horsepower on the 2.2 engine was higher than the Japanese competition four decades ago. This example is obviously overpriced but appears well equipped for a compact car and in excellent condition with a pleasant interior not all boring black or gray like modern vehicles. Verdict: love it and its unique now but at one third the price.

    Like 2
  18. dwcisme

    First drove one in 77 as a pizza delivery car. The VW engine was anemic enough that it probably saved getting a few tickets. When I started at a rental company we had the 2.2’s and I managed to sneak a few manual trannys in, which started my autocrossing hobby (yes, I had R compound tires which I switched out on event weekends. Won several regional class championships). Eventually, I bought a used GLH Turbo. That was a hoot. So, over the years I had experience with many Omni-rizons. They were a reasonable alternative to the imports due to pricing. $8500? can’t imagine why anyone would pay that. But! If they want, I still have the GLH body kit….

    Like 5
  19. CarbobMember

    Had the Omni version as a company car back in the eighties. Was a nice step up from the Chevette I had before it.

    Like 1
    • AnthonyD

      Cheap company!

      Like 0
  20. Mike Brown

    My idiot cousin was gifted (by my aunt) a Dodge Omni that was very similar to this back in 1987 or so. He was married with a new baby at the time and she gave it to him when she bought a new car. He thought that she should’ve given HIM the new car lol! He tried everything that he could think of to kill the poor thing but that little car (I think just out of spite) flat refused to die! It finally met it’s demise hitting 2 deer at the same time and even then it still started and ran. So, cousin thinks mommy will then give him her now 2 year old car…think again cuz…my uncle SOLD him his beat up Mercury Lynx (on weekly payments) and told him to grow up and take care of his business!

    Like 5
  21. William Strickland

    I had one identical that one . If it were a GLH , I could see the asking price but as it stands I’d pass . Fun little car though .

    Like 1
  22. Craig

    My sister in law gave us a rocking chair for our wedding shower gift. She brought it home in an omni identical to this. I had a 4 door 1975 Chevy Impala and it wouldn’t fit in the trunk so I had to take the rear door Off to get it in the back seat.

    Like 0
  23. AnthonyD

    $8500 for a Horizon? I know there’s a shortage of used cars out there but seriously? Who would even dare to be seen in this car?

    Like 0
  24. Car Nut Tacoma

    That depends on its condition and rarity. If it’s been cared for, hasn’t been neglected, or wrecked, I think it’s worth the asking price. I’d buy one if I didn’t already have a car.

    Like 0
  25. Car Nut Tacoma

    I’ve always loved both the Dodge Omni and the Plymouth Horizon. Had I been driving a car by the time this car was on the market, I would’ve driven either car.

    Like 0
  26. Rolls-Royce

    That the Chrysler logo, not the one of plymouth!

    Like 0
    • AnthonyD

      I believe they all had that logo on the grille.

      Like 0
  27. J.D. Creager

    I had a Omni with The Omni Shelby GLH-S, bought it in Germany, the window was broken and radio missing. It sat on the AFFEES lot for over a year. I offered $5500. for the car and bought it. Simca horizon window fit perfect. The turbo car was fast over 135mph fast handled great. I sold it in 1995 with over 165,000 miles never had one problem.

    Like 2
  28. Car Nut Tacoma

    Was the Plymouth Horizon available with a performance package like its Dodge Omni twin?

    Like 0
    • dwcisme

      Nope. Only Dodge got the GLH.

      Like 0

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