Plymouth and Dodge both launched versions of each other’s compact cars in 1971. Dodge unveiled the Demon, which was a Duster with a Dart front clip. And Plymouth got the Scamp, which was a Dart Swinger with Valiant front sheet metal. That move put them on an equal footing in the highly competitive compact car space. The seller has a nice 1973 Scamp that has recently been brought back to running condition, so all it may need is detailing and a new home. Located in Chandler, Arizona, this low-lineage Mopar is available here on Facebook Marketplace for $12,000. Another vintage tip brought to us by T.J.!
The Scamp remained a Plymouth fixture until 1976, when the Valiant lineup was retired in favor of the new Volare. Unlike its Swinger counterpar,t which once had a performance model with a 340 V8, the Scamp was strictly bread and butter. Standard was the 225 cubic inch “Slant-Six,” and the 318 CI V8 was the only upgrade. The seller’s car has the former, known for its reliability across Chrysler Corp., and it’s paired with a TorqueFlite automatic transmission. This was a popular combination throughout the 1960s and 1970s.
We’re not given the history of this Plymouth, but it sounds as though it was hold up in a garage somewhere for many years. When the seller extricated the 40k-mile Mopar, it needed some mechanical attention. The work done to it included replacing the cooling system (new aluminum radiator in the photos) and the brakes, and giving it a tune-up and checking for compression. The tires are new, too, so the car should be ready to hit the road.
The vehicle seems to have collected some dust while in the carport where the photos were taken, so some cleaning may be needed. There are no photos of the interior, but a video provided by the seller shows what seems to be a tidy set-up. And the Scamp has factory A/C, which has recently been converted to current specs and works well. This appears to be a nice 1970s vintage “Valiant”, but is it priced right to sell?
$12,000 That will never happen way overpriced for what it is in my book !
But the write up description identifies “it was hold up”
Rare, because most of them literally rotted away, so it’s neat to see one. But an underpowered mopar, even though it has A/C, I can’t see anyone paying that much for such a boring A-B grocery getter.
I had a girlfriend with one of these, same color combo. It was boring but reliable. I was driving a Duster at the time but I had the 318 which gave it a little more oomph. (Both cars were bought used). Road salt eventually put an end to her car, I replaced mine when the freeze plugs started leaking.
Both the Swinger and the Scamp were a decals-and -slightly different interior package, and that was about it. Underneath it’s the same tried and true Dart/Valiant setup. Chrysler sold a lot of those and they went a lot of miles. As a former owner of a couple of Valiants of the same generation, I’d be interested if the price was a bit lower.
Had a 69 Dart with slant 6, I loved it and passed it on to my son. I do think 12 K is a bit optimistic
My wife owned one of these when I met her in 1975. It was an embarrassing vehicle to be seen in. I hated it. I traded it in as soon as we got married.
Seriously, $12,000 and he coudn’t back it out and WASH the thing and take some decent pictures to prove its “beautiful” condition! I just don’t get it.
Same thought here. 5 pictures and they want the moon for this? Put forth some effort!
My grandfather bought a new Valiant back in 74′. Had the tried and true slant 6 and was a great car overall but it did have it’s QC issues.
Agree with the previous poster, if he had bothered to take the time to even wash it, even more to wax or buff out the paint, it would have gone a really long way in making the care more appealing for a sale. Back in the 80’s this would have been a $2k car all day long, and I realize it’s not the 80’s but I think $12k is reaching a bit for one of these in this condition.
Had a 73 Dart Swinger 318. Paid a whooping 250 .00 bucks for it in 1988. Neat car , prefer the front clip on the dart. But both neat. This plymouth reminds me of the one in duel. Any who , way too much cash in my opinion
My friend in high school had a ’68 gt dart 340 4 Speed had a posi it was chocolate brown with black top 4 inch cragars up from 90-10 drag shocks and 8’s out back with n-50 mickey Thompson’s , it’s was fast he took a L 88 camaro one night the dude was pissed, it was a screamer.
Back in the 80&90s bought and sold 34 of darts valiants dusters and volaries my favorite was an,78 town and country great cars reliable fun, wet wires ballast resistors in the glove compartment!