Two small cars from Plymouth were called the Scamp: a rear-wheel-drive two-door hardtop coupe of 1971–1976 based on the Plymouth Valiant, and a front-wheel-drive coupe utility of 1983 based on the Plymouth Horizon.
Plymouth Scamp at a glance
| Maker | Plymouth (Chrysler Corporation) |
|---|---|
| First Scamp | 1971–1976, RWD two-door hardtop coupe |
| First Scamp based on | Plymouth Valiant |
| Second Scamp | 1983, FWD coupe utility |
| Second Scamp based on | Plymouth Horizon |
| Sister model | Dodge Rampage |
| Name origin | the Valiant Scamp hardtop of the 1971 range |
The English Wikipedia page on the Scamp is a short list of the two cars; the detail on the Valiant Scamp comes from the Duster article, so this page is shorter than usual.
History of the Plymouth Scamp
The Valiant Scamp (1971–1976)
The first Scamp appeared as a result of the way Chrysler shared bodies between its brands. The Plymouth Duster was such a success that Dodge asked for a version of its own for 1971 and received the Demon; Plymouth was given a version of the Dodge Dart Swinger two-door hardtop, which was named the Plymouth Valiant Scamp. The Scamp was therefore a two-door hardtop in the Valiant family, sold alongside the Duster and the Valiant sedan through the 1976 model year.
The Horizon-based Scamp (1983)
The second Scamp was a different kind of car altogether: a front-wheel-drive coupe utility based on the Plymouth Horizon, sold for 1983. It shared its body and mechanicals with the Dodge Rampage, the pickup version of the L-platform cars that also underpinned the Omni and Horizon hatchbacks.
Design and features
- Two cars, one name: a hardtop coupe in the 1970s and a small pickup in the 1980s.
- Valiant family: the first Scamp was a Dodge Dart Swinger body sold as a Plymouth.
- Horizon family: the second Scamp came from the front-wheel-drive L platform.
- Dodge twin: the 1983 car was sold as the Dodge Rampage.
Plymouth Scamp versions
- Plymouth Valiant Scamp (1971–1976): the rear-drive two-door hardtop.
- Plymouth Scamp (1983): the front-drive coupe utility on the Horizon platform.
- Dodge Rampage (1983): the Dodge version of the same coupe utility.
The first Scamp belongs to the Valiant family, and the second to the Horizon line. More cars are in the Plymouth collection.
Sources
- Plymouth Scamp, English Wikipedia: the two cars sold under the name
- Plymouth Duster, English Wikipedia: origin of the Valiant Scamp in 1971
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