In 1971, Plymouth added the Valiant Scamp to its roster. It was their version of the Dodge Dart Swinger hardtop coupe. In return, Dodge picked up the fastback Demon, their variant of the Plymouth Duster. Though not as popular as the Swinger, Plymouth still moved 53,800 Scamps in 1973, the year the seller’s car was built. It’s a fairly basic model equipped with Chrysler’s venerable Slant-Six engine. It’s in fair shape cosmetically and is said to run and drive as it should.
Except for the front clip and badging, it was hard to tell a Scamp from a Swinger (catchy nameplates, huh?). This Plymouth has 128,000 miles and has changed hands at least five times according to the seller. So, it’s a well-used automobile that will need some attention, as there is a bit of rust in a few places and the front bench seat bottom will need to be recovered. Perhaps just attend to those items and you might get several more years out of this Mopar. The seller adds that the right front fender was replaced at some point, so the paint there is not original.
The original owner checked the options box for an automatic transmission, power steering, a vinyl top, a radio, and perhaps not a lot more. So, the MSRP on this Plymouth back in the day was probably north of $3,000. The ugliest part of the car may be inside the trunk where the paint is severely scratched with some surface rust as it must have been used frequently without a mat.
If you’re a fan of Plymouth’s third-generation Valiants, this Scamp might be a fun car to tinker around with. The asking price is not crazy money at $4,600 here on eBay and the vehicle looks to be inside a shop or warehouse in Cedarville, New Jersey. Why not “scamper” on down and check this one out!
Reliable.
No matter how much people like it for it’s reliability, with the signs of significant rust repair that is rusting through for a second time. Rust on the frame rail, as referenced by the seller. It’s hard to see it being worth nearly $5,000, this would be more realistically priced around $2,500.
Steve R
I can hardly look at one of these without getting a bit miffed. Before she was my sister-in-law her Granny died and she wound up with one of these is fantastic shape around 1990. It had zero rust, ran like a sewing machine, had AC and power brakes with something like 40k miles on it. It was a cream puff. We told her that if she wanted to get rid of it to let us know because both my brother and I needed an extra car around because one or the other of us was always working on our own junk and having a nice backup would be a big help.
That heffer went and sold it to a pawn shop. A PAWN SHOP! He gave her $200 for it then slapped a for sale sign on it for $1500 and sold it with a quickness. That woman was as sharp as a bag of wet hair.
The logical successor to this car – the Aries / Reliant “K” Car – probably sold in way higher quantities.
But, when was the last time you saw any of those with low miles and in a condition similar to this one?
Can’t fix Stupid
Such disrespect for dear old grandmother. Tsk tsk. Now before anyone takes umbrage; full disclosure: I’m funnin’. Seriously though, this was a granny mobile back in its heyday. My sainted grandma had a 1965 Dart. When she stopped driving she offered it to me. Mind you it was a low mileage car in pristine condition. But as an eighteen year old car nut; four doors, slant six, appliance white?! Uh thanks but no thanks. She ended up giving it to one of my aunts. Looking back I think I was just too young for practical decisions. Some may say stupid though.
The rally wheels/blackwalls/no side trim look really suits these cars. If it also lacked a vinyl top that would complete the look of something a decade newer and/or built for export vibe that gives off.