We don’t know why the seller’s parents parked this 1991 Dodge Spirit R/T in 2004, but it’s been sitting for 22 years now, basically untouched and undriven. The seller, the owner’s son, was hoping to get it back on the road again, but it’s too much of a project, so they have it listed here on eBay in Arlington, Tennessee. There is no reserve, and the current bid is just $676.
The overall photos aren’t the best because this Spirit R/T isn’t running, so it wasn’t pulled out for better photos. The seller says they removed the gas tank years ago due to the gas smell, so that’s one thing it will need before it can be in running condition again. It also needs new paint, as you can see, along with a new windshield and new tires. With a solid rear axle, no ABS, and other basic K-car features, this car wasn’t about beating the world’s best sedans in the handling department. Still, Dodge was onto something with its performance cars. Here’s a 1991 Dodge Performance Catalog brochure.
This is the car I wanted when I had my reliable 1991 Dodge Spirit for a decade. Or even an ES model; I loved the feature where the back seats fold down so you can access the trunk space from inside, or you can carry lumber, skis, a surfboard, or anything long without needing a roof rack. My car was a base model, but it did have power windows, power locks, and heated power mirrors. Mine was dark gray, but my mom had a white ’91 Spirit, and it had the same exact white paint issues. Both cars rusted to death from Northern Minnesota salty winter roads, unfortunately. Both were running like new when they were hauled to the junkyard.
Speaking of rust, there is basically none on this car, other than some normal surface rust. The underside photos almost made me weep like an infant; it’s so clean. A dry ice blast under there and I’m sure it would look like new underneath. The 1991 and 1992 Spirit R/T was the high-performance version, as most of you already know. How a derivative of the K-car could be faster than a Ford SHO or even a BMW M5 is mind-blowing, but it was touted as being one of the fastest sedans at the time. An A568 five-speed manual with Getrag bits and pieces was the only transmission offered in the U.S., and that’s just plain cool. This car looks outstanding in the photos.
The seller says the car was running fine when it was parked in 2004, so it’s a mystery as to why it was parked. The engine is Chrysler’s 2.2-liter DOHC inline-four, which in turbocharged form for the Spirit R/T had 224 horsepower and 217 lf-ft of torque. Rolling through the five-speed manual, power was sent to the front wheels. One of these days, the Spirit R/T will be collectible; it just has to be. Here’s your chance to snag one dirt cheap. Although once you add paint, a windshield, four tires, a new gas tank, etc., ouch. Any thoughts on the Spirit R/T seen here?
I may be wrong. But I always kind of thought of these cars as a wolf in sheeps clothing. Lots of cars in the 80’s and 90’s had nice rims and body cladding, but had an average powertrain under the hood. But not in this case. That’s a very healthy output for a Turbo 2.2. And I’m willing to bet dollars for donuts that more than a few people were surprised by one of these when the light turned green. I’m thinking this would be a good restoration candidate if its bought for a realistic price, and hoping there’s nothing massively wrong under the hood. If its not that bad mechanically its worth a deep clean in the interior and some paint work, maybe just some touch ups on the bad spots.
That brochure took me back. Its sad, seeing what Dodge was like back then. All the performance models. I drive past a Chrysler, Dodge, Ram, Jeep dealer quite often. All I see are pickups and Jeeps and some vans on the lot. I dont see any cars. Times really have changed.
Agreed; really sad what’s happened to Dodge, to say nothing of the industry as a whole. Grey/white/black transportation nobs are what seem to sell today, but IMO it’s because the buyers have never really experienced the fun and joy of actually driving a real car!
They sure have changed, and not for the better in my opinion.
You are absolutely right, Paul. Many people have forgotten that a trip to the grocery store or to work can actually be enjoyable and entertaining. In one of the current “transportation nodules” it will get one to the destination, but the drive will lack involvement and enjoyment on the part of the driver, to say nothing of the bland, innocuous appearance of said vehicle. Again, really a sad state of affairs.
worth the current bid.
These were nice little sleeper cars for their time more powerful than people gave them credit for. I think it would be a fun one to get back on the road and just enjoy it for what it is
When the Mrs. and I married back in the 1900s, she brought the 1990 3L ES version of this automobile to the equation. We traded it in for a 97 Grand Caravan that boasted the same engine when the family got too big for a sedan. You’d think the 3 liter in a Grand Caravan would be under powered, but that thing was a beast, almost impossible to get stuck in the snow. I did manage to get it stuck in the snow once, but to be fair the snow was a couple feet deep and the front air dam was operating like a snowplow. I miss both those vehicle.
It’s because the r/t is a sports car despite its economy appearance. The r/t have the 2.2 turbo 3. This particular one is lotus inspired.
This Spirit R/T sold for $2,908!