Chrysler introduced two “new” editions of their compact cars in 1971, although they really weren’t new. In response to the successful Plymouth Duster fastback in 1970, Dodge got their version the next year called the Demon. At the same time, Plymouth gained the Scamp hardtop which was a slight rework of the Dodge Dart Swinger. So, the balance of power was even between the two Chrysler divisions. This ’71 Scamp has a 360 cubic inch V8 (though it carries 340 labels) which isn’t original to the automobile. This Mopar is in Chico, California, and is available here on craigslist for $8,500 OBO.
In 1970, you could order a Dart Swinger 340 with the popular 275 hp engine. When the Demon rolled out in 1971, the Swinger lost that option as the marketing folks wanted to reserve the mini powerhouse for the new car. Thus, the Scamp was never offered with a 340 or 360 V8 though the car was produced through 1976. The biggest engine in either a Swinger or Scamp in ’71 was the 318 V8 the Slant Six was standard). The seller’s car has had its 318 replaced with a 360 V8 which we’re told is from 1971. Yet the markings on the engine say it’s a 340, so we’re not sure what the deal is here.
The car is said to run and drive just fine with a 904 automatic transmission, 8 ¾ rear end, and 3.23 gears. The mileage on the overall automobile is 92,000, but we don’t know how much of this is attributable to the 360/340. The newer motor has a mild camshaft upgrade and an aluminum radiator and high-torque mini starter. Twin pipes are there to handle engine exhaust.
In the 1980s, the Glacier Blue paint was redone and is probably ready for more, along with some repairs to the passenger side rear quarter panel. The interior is as the Plymouth came from the factory and the seats could stand to be redone along with the dash pad. The car is currently registered, so we assume it sees time out on the open road, at least once in a while.
Looks like there is dark blue paint under the light blue by the quarter rust.If the car is solid as the seller says what it is, it’s worth it in today’s market especially if the underside is as nice. I’d say go for it if you’re a mopar guy.Bet it rockets as light as that car is.glwts.
Why do people cover license plates with fingers? When you drive the car everybody See’s it..
Without a plate number it is a little harder to show up unannounced to see the car, or steal it. While mere mortals are not allowed to run a plate, lots of folks know folks who can.
Exactly. Why some people care if someone who is selling a car covers up their plate # is beyond me .I would for the very reasons you specified Roland.
Checking the front vibration damper for the extra weight of an externally balanced engine would be the fast way to tell between a 340 and 360. Typically A727 trannys were behind 340s, but maybe that was on the B-bodies. A 360-2bbl setup sometimes came with a A904. One would need to look at the car to suss out what is going on.
If the frame is good the rest would work out
As the owner, it is a 360 with a 340 factory intake. Put 340 stickers on it for my own preference. Very clean Mopar . Still have original 318 . Goes with car.
Yes, the 340 would have always had a 727 behind it from the factory, never a 904, doesn’t matter whether it was in an A or a B body.
All 340 automatic cars would have had the 727 , the 904 was for the 318
Sorry to tell you, but 360 was offered in 71. I had a 71 fury with 360 and a 72 polara with 360.
I think they meant in a Scamp though.
Now not being one to pick at anything, I’m looking at pictures of a 71 scamp with a upgraded motor and radiator, nice looking very tiny if any rust and the price is 8550.00 now not to turn down a good deal. If anyone is interested they should jump on it.
The key is definitely how the underside looks. I had this car with the slant 6, and auto here in Minnesota. In 1984, the rear mounts for the torsion bars rusted out. They “unwound” with a BANG! First one side, and a week later, the other side. That sent the car to the junkyard.
I like this car. GLWTS!
This car is cherry underneath. Probably one of the cleanest unrestored mopars i have ever had or seen ,