Why doesn’t this have more bids? The turbocharged Dodge Colt GTS is a rare bird, especially in rust-free condition. This example is sporting some awesome period-correct Ronal Turbo wheels and a Callaway intercooler kit. It all sounds peachy until you get to the part about the seller parking the car due to the engine beginning to smoke years ago; can it be saved? Find it here on eBay with an opening bid of $1,200.
Power numbers weren’t huge for the boosted Colt and neither were its production figures. Still, the modest curb weight enabled the Colt to hit 60 in under 10 seconds and still deliver close to 30 m.p.g.’s. The seller vaguely references that he bought the car new and then proceeded to add a variety of performance enhancements, including the aforementioned intercooler along with a Borla stainless steel exhaust, lowering springs and KYB shocks.
If all of those modifications were made in-period, they don’t bother us one bit. We love the old-school tuner cars still wearing the aftermarket parts of the era, especially on an obsolete motor like this. The red interior is a great complement to the white exterior, and the seller notes that some additional gauges have been added for keeping an eye on water temp and boost levels. Speaking of, the smoking motor the seller references is a major let down, but he still calls it a “good motor” – even though its condition sounds suspect.
Ronal Turbos are a classic “turbofan”-style wheel that’s absolutely fitting for a Colt GTS. The overall presentation of this car is that of a preserved example, which is especially impressive considering it was modified back in the day. Does its potential mechanical maladies discourage you from bidding? Well, that’s up for debate, but given how hard these turbo Colts are to find, we suspect someone will take a chance on finding a relatively painless rebuild.
Why doesn’t this have more bids what do you mean “more” it has 0 bids,lol
Up to 7 bids now $1,525.00 is high bid
Wow, Jeff great find! I had one of these! I bought it non-operable “as is” for $700 and had it running with a $35 timing belt. It was my wife’s first car of her very own. It was silver but otherwise the same red interior with twin-stick and same graphics. It was the ultimate Pittsburgh city car. Manual steering and brakes communicated road feel brilliantly. Super-light controls. I must have taught 10 people to drive stick on that car. My wife put 30,000 miles on it one year alone. Loved that turbo whistle as you eased up hills.
A friend owned the twin to this, duel stick and all the hoodies. It would be best to source an engine before buying. But a cool piece of history.
I’ll be bidding just for the wheels…
I hope the seller isn’t referring to that tailpipe extension as the turbo… lol
My first car was a 1986 Dodge Colt, non-turbo. 4 speeds and about 25 hp. I’m sure the turbo adds to the power but I really don’t feel the urge to relive my awkward high school years made even more awkward by the car I drove.
Same red interior. The stereo was mounted at a weird 45 degree angle. I, being a kid, put in a brand new CD player (stereo was worth as much as the car…) and a couple of subwoofers, amp, etc. Unfortunately whenever I turned it up the bass would make the CD’s skip due to that weird angle of the CD player.
Ended up in a ditch one time because my friend (still friends to this day) pulled the parking brake on me when I was driving down a snow covered road at about 40 mph. Spun it around and there we were. 4 pretty big guys in a tiny car in a ditch out in the middle of nowhere. So we did what any 4 guys would do: we picked up the back and put it on the road, moved to the front and did the same. No damage to the car so dad never found out.
Come to think of it that was a pretty fun car to have stupid fun in. Didn’t do so well in the sand dunes on Lake Michigan but did OK in the snow and if it didn’t all you needed to do was get a couple of friends to lift it up and put it back on the road. No need for a tow truck. The stick shift made it tolerable. Nice, high revving Mitsubishi engine.
Car ended up being sent off to Valhalla like a good viking: on a nice, big camp fire.
Mine was red on red.
To any potential buyers: Watch out for rust. Mine rusted where it shouldn’t have and didn’t rust where you would expect it to. It was like they coated the steel in rust proofing where it should be coated but cheaped out on the rest of the car.
Really 25 hp, or is that a typo or just sarcasm? Funny either way!
I once traded a VCR for a running Colt.
That’s hilarious!
Is that a shop rag sitting on the exhaust manifold!?
Maybe a moist towelette?
Put a Hayabusa motor in it
I knew somebody would list this when I saw it advertised.
No love here….but if it was a Pinto…..think Vega’s were dead by then…..
Sold these new in 1981 at the largest C/P dealership in KY. Of all of the models offered on the lot, we ALWAYS had at least 50 Colts on the lot. 90 % of them were silver, and all were entry level, save for 1, which was never sold as long as I worked there. $4850, brand new out the door (plus T&L). They were great little cars.
No, the GLC, great little car, was a Mazda
I got a 84 Dodge 600 turbo convertible. It’s fun to drive and can out do a stock 5.0. Cheap fun
It makes more sense now why the bids are so low.
The seller added that the car does not run so who knows what it needs or if you could find parts.
like the twin stick (“eco” & “power”).
Smoke due to tosted turbo?
(if running $2 – 3K?)
The car runs fine(btw I won it!), it does smoke at idle a little, some thrust play in the little baby turbo. Makes around 12lbs of boost and obliterates the tires thru 3rd!
The owner was very up front and an honest car guy, best eBay transaction I have ever made by far.
Wheels are here to stay forever, little 1.6 may give way to a 4g63 after I play with it for a bit.
Already have all the new brake stuff, TIRES are next.
He said it sat for 20 yrs and it looks like it. No reg since 1997, BLACK gas in the tank!
I’ve had A LOT of cars in my life, a 84 colt 4g63t was one of them that I sold and regretted since, without doubt the most fun you can have with 375hp!
Running 60mph?- slap it in 3rd and SMOKE THE TIRES! You will smile every time you drive it!
By far not the prettiest or most powerful car I’ve had (I’m a turbo ls guy) but easily the most fun!
I’m excited to get this one cleaned up and back to whipping corvettes REALLY EASY!
Congratulations on the win and thanks for sharing!!!
Hey Whupper,
I just learned of this auction and am sorry that I missed it although my loss is your gain. I already have one of these and have already have completed a restoration of it although I would like the stainless steel exhaust off of yours if you do an engine swap. If you would like you can reach out to me so that we can discuss this and perhaps some other hard to find items that you might dispose of.
Let me know,
Mike
Mike,
Sorry so long-holidays got me!
I will be replacing the exhaust on the car when the 4g63 goes in. You are welcome to it. Let me know how to reach you.
WHUPPER
Hey Wupper,
You still out there and interested in parting with your exhaust? Let me know because I am still in the market.
Mike
beermanms@gmail.com
If you ever think of selling it, please please let me know.
Sorry Whupper took so long to get back, was not really expecting an answer (shows what I know). You can reach me at beermanms@gmail.com – I am still very interested in the exhaust.
I’m very interested