$4,800 seems like a lot of money back in the day for a car like this 1976 Plymouth Arrow GS. Although, that’s only $21,000 in today’s money, hardly anything when it comes to new car prices. The seller is asking $3,500 or best offer for this example and it can be found in beautiful, warm, dry, snow-free, ice-free, freezing-drizzle-free (not jealous) Tucson, Arizona. It’s posted on Craigslist and it can also be found here on the CL archive when the link goes away. The owner says: “Body straight as an ARROW”. Well-played. Our own Jeff L. showed us this car back in January and then the ad went away and I assumed that it was sold. I just ran across it again and being a car that we rarely see anymore I couldn’t resist. Sorry for the repeat for those of you who had no interest in it the first time.
Most of you know that Tucson, and the desert southwest in general, can wreak havoc with paint, rubber, and plastic parts on cars. You can see some of that damage here. Most of you also know that Plymouth rebadged the Mitsubishi Lancer Celeste to create the Arrow. The Plymouth Arrow car was made for the 1976-1980 model years. The company also imported the Mitsubishi Forte as a rebadged Plymouth Arrow pickup from 1979 to 1982. I know, what a confusing time in the captive arena.
This car looks like it’s in great condition other than the burnt paint. maybe it could somehow be brought back to life with a color-sanding and clear coat? This is originally a Tucson car which probably explains both the good body condition and iffy paint condition. It’s a “ONE OWNER family car with ONLY 93K Original Miles”, nice! One owner for 42 years, that’s pretty amazing. Or, maybe they mean that it’s a one-family-owned car? The details really do look promising, I don’t see really anything that stands out other than the paint.
The interior also looks good although seeing a dash pad and different colored plastics and slightly-warped gaps and seams is a bummer. When it’s 100 degrees or more for a few months every year that is hard on finishes – human and car alike. The front seats appear to have been redone in vinyl but the rear seats have been redone in vinyl with velour inserts. I’m not a big fan of redone velour seats, I’d rather add seat covers to original vinyl seats, but that’s just me. The steering wheel also appears to need help. But, kudos to the seller for adding so many photos, that’s a rarity these days for an online listing. The hatchback area looks good and it looks even better when it’s filled with spare parts!
This 200 GS has Mitsubishi’s 2.0L silent-shaft inline-four with 96 hp. AC was a $412 option on this car but I doubt if it still works after this many decades. And, is the compressor even there anymore? I don’t see it, do you? The seller says that it is “Equipped with AC (not factory)” so that answers that, it’s there somewhere. Power disc brakes and tilt steering wheel on a Plymouth Arrow! Nice. I think this looks like a good little project car. It doesn’t appear to be too far from drawing a huge crowd at any car show; just some new interior bits, detail the engine, trouble-shoot the paint and you’re in business.
“Me and my arrow
Taking the high road
Wherever we go, everyone knows
It’s me and my arrow”
Isn’t your name Oblio?
Harry Nilsson before I changed it. :-)
I like it too and would pay $3500 if the paint and interior were good as it stands maybe $1500-$1800.
Nice to see a Plymouth Arrow/Mitsubishi Celeste in good condition – I recall them being rather nice cars. Sadly, the ones over here have rusted away into oblivion.
I’m starting to really hate the word ‘only.’ ONLY 21,000 dollars in today’s money. ONLY 3500 passengers got ‘the splats’ on the cruise ship. We have ONLY 4800 nuclear ICBMs.
If I ONLY had 21000 dollars, I could buy a newer car instead of helping the grandkids in college.
What’s “The Point”, Michael? Nillsen! Of course.
Again, great cars, just the wrong time. People, especially in Harleytown, were slow to grasp these imports, and we weren’t fooled by the “Plymouth” name. Most people went with the tried and true Plymouth, the Volare. ( and probably regretted it later) This car was a much better choice than the Buick Opel Isuzu, and certainly better than anything America put out ( think Vega). Again, not a big following for this, but at least a plausible amount, unlike the Opel the other day.
NAAA I’ll take a Gremlin over this car anyday
I’m very interested.
Is it still for sale?
Please text me at 3 one 9/ 9 three 8 /22 zero 0
My Dad had one. My step mom wrecked it.
It sure would be nice to have another one in memory of my dad.
The one he had was his pride and joy
What was opels equivalent to this in 1976 in the USA?
Opel Manta…..
D.J……..Harry Nillsen was a musical genius. John Lennon once said that he was the most significant single influence on his own musical career.
Again, National Production Class Pro-Rally Champion several times over thanks to Steve Nowicki.
Very strong cars.
I remember Malcolm Smith driving a Firearrow in the Golden West Rally, back in the early 80s.
A POS, in any thread. Best forgotten.
What, Dubja 9, having as bad week? I wouldn’t say these were a POS to THESE guys,,,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xPkipGoENA
I just emailed that ad to my little bro here in Tucson.
Only recently discovered how twisted he is about old small cars like this.
He had a Plymouth Sapporo back in the 80s and will love the heads up.
A couple of great upholstery and body shops he’s worked with here would bring this up to a nice level.
Lon Petersen drove an Arrow for several seasons in the California Rally Series. It was a strong car.
This car keeps popping up for sale
Nice to see one of these cars.
I have one of these in Idaho. I bought it out of a sand pit for $75.
I had one in college in around 1983-85.
Interested in purchasing this vehicle. If it is still available please contact me