The Scamp arrived in 1971 as a 2-door hardtop version of the Plymouth Valiant compact. Beneath the badging, it was a Dart Swinger that Dodge had enjoyed success with from 1969. The seller’s 1973 edition carries common equipment and trim: 225 “Slant-Six engine, Torqueflite automatic transmission, and a vinyl roof. Stored since 2016, some effort will be required to get it running, but it seems to be okay cosmetically. Sitting under an awning in Roy, Washington, this project Mopar is available here on craigslist for $3,100. Thanks for the tip, Barn Finder “Scott.”
Plymouth and Dodge were always playing catch-up with one another. Besides the Dart/Scamp “cloning,” Dodge got their version of the Plymouth (Valiant) Duster in 1971 and called it the Demon (until 1973 when the politically correct Dart Sport moniker was applied). Across six model years, the Scamp was no production slouch at 233,000 total units, including 53,800 in 1973, its best sales outing.
The seller has owned this Scamp for at least 23 years. At first, it was a weekend driver, perhaps making the local car show circuit. For whatever reason, he/she parked it under an awning, covered it up, and left it to sit for nine years. Other than cleaning it up, nothing has been done to get it going again, and the tires are mostly useless at this point. The seller is preparing to move, and the Plymouth isn’t in future plans.
The body, brown paint, tan top, and matching interior appear to be up to snuff. So, the buyer’s focus will be on mechanical whatnots. The seller says the carburetor will need cleaning, and we wouldn’t be surprised if that doesn’t apply to the entire fuel delivery system at 95,000 miles. Besides putting on four new tires, I’d check out the brakes, too. Including the repairs mentioned, you might have a nice Cars & Coffee entrant for $5,000 all-in.
There were seemingly thousands of these slant six darts/scamps/valiants back when they were new but few left now. Looks like a good prospect for a first time hobby car to learn on.
What you drove in the early 70s if you were old and not into land barges. So common they were practically invisible. But unlike something like the Ford Tempo, they didn’t all vanish overnight. It took a long time for these to disappear from the highways. Why do I want this one?
Grand[stents had exact same car color and slant 6, I remember first car at like 12 years old they let me turn the key, I remember that dodge starter noise, now for rest of my life, so different than any car.
I’d be all over this if it wasn’t located in Washington State. We all know the place. It’s where a seemingly endless stream of nice collector cars reside. Unlike here on the rust coast. Slant six and Torqueflight is a virtually indestructible combination. I even like the monkey sh*t brown color with the cream vinyl top and interior. Drop and clean the gas tank, blow out the fuel line and rebuild the carburetor. Tune up, oil change and new tires , battery and brakes and I’m willing to bet that you will be out cruising in this little Scamp. GLWTS.
Love it!
great price for what is. some rally wheels and a detail and it would look sweet
And its gone posting deleted would have been a nice car we may see it pop up again in another city for more money
My grandparents final car was a brand new 74′ Plymouth Valiant in this exact same color combo and engine. Lots of fond memories growing up as a kid riding in that car around Plymouth MA.. These were great cars with unbeatable engine/ trannies. Seller appears to have deleted the posting.
I spy a dual ballast resistor on the firewall. Might want to bring a spare, “just in case.” These are still widely available from auto parts stores, Summit, etc.
My first year in car sales, we had a long row of these in all the colors; the sticker price, as equipped, was $2711.00. The color of this car is called Tahitian Gold. The markup was about $400., We would discount them $200 and write up the deal, no management help required. What a different world!