The fascination with horse names and/or horse-related terms with automakers is a headscratcher, at least it is for me. I get it, horsepower, and cars are a replacement personal “vehicle” that replaced the horse. Ok, maybe it isn’t such a mystery now that I’ve talked it through by myself, sorry about that. Here’s another horse-named car, a 1975 Dodge Colt. It looks like a great project car for those of you who are into captive imports and the growing vintage Japanese car scene. It can be found here on eBay with an unmet opening bid of $1,750 and it’s located in Baldwin Park, California.
My apologies for the twisted photo. The seller took a few of them at an angle which, unfortunately, is often rage these days for some reason. Maybe it’s an homage to the original Batman series or the result of an overzealous photography instructor in high school or tech college. I don’t know how that trend got started or why it continues but please make it stop. That’s why the photo above looks a little strange, I tried to reconfigure it so it actually looks like a normal car. The second-generation Dodge Colt was still a rear-wheel-drive car, a rebadged Mitsubishi Galant, and this example looks about as nice as any that I have seen. The opening photo appears to show some bubbling on the lower portion of the left-front fender and I’m guessing that the rockers are worth a check. There is no mention of condition at all in the listing.
The interior will most likely end up being as heavily-modified as the exterior and drivetrain will be, but it looks pretty good in there in somewhat stock configuration. No worries on the console, it’s in the trunk with what looks like some additional parts. Hopefully, the 4-speed transmission and related shifter and parts are there.
We don’t know the history of this car but it sure looks clean. I see some flaking rust on the leading edge of the LF fender well on the right side in the photo above, and some other surface rust, but overall it looks much better than I thought it would. Unfortunately, it doesn’t currently run. I highly doubt if this Mitsubishi 4G32 1.6L inline-four with 80 hp will stay in this car, at least without modifications. It’s a rare owner who will restore a vintage Japanese car back to original spec these days, most of these cars get modified or heavily-modified with crazy camber and dope skates (wheels) and they get lowered and generally de-Colt’ified. If this were a Colt GT it would have more of a chance of being restored back to original spec. There aren’t many of these left in original condition and this one is surely worth saving.
I think they chose the name colt was to compete with the pinto
Colt goes with pinto better than gallant would go with pinto
Besides what is so gallant about it?
My first car that I ever bought and only car I totaled. It was a fun little car if my memory serves me well. I think it is a fair deal on this car if you like it
This was the car to beat in Showroom Stock racing at the time. Also popular in US rallying
I had one with over 400,000 miles on it. A guy delivered a rural paper route. I bought it with 375 and put 25 on it in one year back and forth to work. Starter went out and cost more than I paid for the car . SO I just parked were I could roll it off and dump the clutch. It would start in 5 feet and take right off. A great little car. Wish I still had it.
A nice example, should go for more than 2k. The rust in the LF is from the battery, looks like it is going to take a bit of work to fix. 2 door, 4 speed, straight and clean. If these push your button, here you go. A period correct lowering and wheels (like the last photo in the ad), along with a later Mitsubishi engine swap, would make a fantastic ride. The car is run down enough to do those mods, but too nice to further chop up. And save the original parts, it may make sense to go back to stock some day when it is time to sell.
Sweet looking Colt. I hope someone buys it and restores it to driveable condition. You don’t see that many Dodge Colts of the 70s or even early 80s. So better pick one up.
I bought a 71 Dodge Colt 10 years ago from Cali. factory A/C automatic, all original, never wrecked or painted, 75k miles. Runs and drives. That’s my future project when I retire. There is less than 500 71-73 Colts left in America, not sure about 75’s but I’m pretty sure they are rare too. I’m sure it will sell.
Very strong car with long suspension travel equals great rally car.
Here’s my Colt, 1976, 76k, orig paint! I’m the second owner. The car was around $4000 (Canadian) when new. I was a buck private in boot camp back then and I didn’t make that much money in a year, but I did have a 1971 Toyota Corona MKII
The pic didn’t come up
I bought the 1975 colt in this article. Took very little to get it running. I was driving a 1974 Colt in 75 so have a fond spot for them. Most of the rust is dealt with already, have the brakes working and put wheels and tires on it. I plan to repaint it and redo the stock interior. Motor runs well and doesn’t smoke or make noise so will probably leave it. Need a few parts to complete, rear bumper, front marker lights, and inside rear view mirror. It will get there.
The same guy that sold this ’75 Colt (David Acero of Baldwin Park Ca.) has told people he has another colt (’76 GT) for sale but won’t send pictures or address for us to come look at it or buy it. Then if you keep trying to get a hold of him he won’t answer your calls. BIG SCAM….