INCP--Plymouth Champ
Inappropriately Named Chrysler Products week continues ...
As cars go, the Plymouth Champ is anything but a champion. A small, morbidly sluggish economy car is very rarely a "champ" of anything except, perhaps, fuel economy. The Plymouth Champ can't even claim to be the champion of awfulness among small cars in the late 1970s-- the Chevrolet Chevette and Ford Pinto were the easy leaders in that category. And, to be honest, the rebadged Mitsubishi Colt was a pretty sweet-natured econobox for the time.
If all of this is the case, why am I making this a Car Lust and not a Car Disgust? Well, I have a great deal of sympathy for small, poorly performing hatchbacks, and as I've said, the Champ was really quite nice. Plus, there's no way I could spurn a car so similar to my much-beloved Colt Vista.
I actually kinda like the Champ, and in a way, its inappropriate name in its diminuitive form is cute enough to make me want to have it around. Its combination of bravado in a tiny, hapless package reminds me of a dachsund that enjoys barking at passing pit bulls.
This image comes from Ryu's album from a 2007 vintage Japanese car show. Isn't it funny that these are now vintage cars?
--Chris H.
Mystic Rhythm on October 24, 2009 at 05:30 AM
I had a Silver 1982 Plymouth Champ that my parents bought me for my 21st birthday. Drove it for a couple of years, then sold it to my then boyfriend for $200. Two days after we broke up, it engulfed itself in flames. Who says cars don't have a mind of their own :)
Luis on November 29, 2009 at 05:28 PM
Im looking to buy a CHAMP ill been looking all over the place and i cant find one... that car it was my first car and i want to own it again can you guy help me
Thanks
Char70ger on April 08, 2010 at 11:31 AM
Between my father brother, sister and myself, we owned a total of 9 of these wonderful little cars. My last one was an 81 twinsticker. These cars are hands down the best cars ever made. As for being sluggish? That is totally the wrong word to use for a Champ, these cars really champs. I had put a header and a a carb from a mid 70's mitsu pickup on mine and let me tell you it really moved. Don't have room to elaborate but I will say there were no other no turbo jap cars that could touch my little champ.
dthirdrail on July 28, 2010 at 08:38 AM
I had a 1981 Plymouth champ - light blue with the twin stick. No A/C though. That car was a rocket. I was able to chirp the wheels in 3rd gear! Had almost 200k on it when I sold it. Bought it used in 1984 for under 2,000. Drove it hard for 6 years, gave it to my father when his car went down, and he gave it to my sister when her car gasped its last breath Plenty of room and speed. There was one annoying problem with the car though. The position of the distributor and a metal "splash guard" that was in front of the engine block to prevent water from hitting the distributor. If you had one you'd know. Go through a large puddle and kaput. I got stuck once and I guy stopped and sprayed wire drier on it. Voila, started back up. He said keep the can, it was an extra and just make sure you do the same for another champ owner. From that point on I always kept 2 cans, and ended up helping 3 more stranded champs/colts, always giving them the older can and telling them to do the same for another champ / colt owner.
Still a great car at 45 mpg and when the rear seat folded down, plenty of cargo room!
Dave on January 21, 2011 at 01:12 PM
My dad bought me a 1980 Champ in 1985. It was the same creme color as above. It was a GREAT car. I drove it three years in college while delivering pizzas. Always made good money with gas money because it took so little gas. Moved to Georgia from Iowa in 1988 and took "Charlie" Champ along. Moved back the next year and kept the car for another 2-3 years. It had air conditioning, which was a great bonus. Bought the car with 62,000 miles on it for $1050. Sold it with 122,000. Still miss it to this day. Glad I was not in an accident with it though. I would imagine it would be squashed easily.
Nestor Berja on January 27, 2011 at 01:40 AM
I had 1982 A/T 4D Plymouth Champ which I bought from an American serviceman before they left Subic Base in the Philippines in 1992. Up to this day am still using "Champ" in my daily drives to the grocery, church, malls in Alabang. Just 2 weeks ago, I bought a well-preserved 1982 Mitsubishi Colt 2D with 62K+ kms reading. I just love to drive them both alternately daily. The latter is so economical and fast at Power shift. My wife and daughter love to drive "Champ" as it is easy to drive with its Auto tranny. Maintenance-wise, I got no problem, so easy and cheap.
lestroy305 on October 14, 2011 at 08:42 PM
i just bought a 1979 plymouth champ the only of this year still living in my town and is one of the greats car ive ever own 4 speed tranny with the power/eco lever i travel every day and all i put is 20 bucks and im good for the whole week even doe it has 278,362 mile on it this still a true champ it has never broke down or left me stranded i pray that plymouth can create a modern version of it i would buy it in a heart beat for the fact that ive drove throuth steep hill and mountains every day and it hasnt givin up on me thats why im gonna restor it so my children can enjoy it as much as i have and trust me the champ aint never leaving me ever.
Ken on October 21, 2011 at 01:22 AM
When I was 15, I bought a 1979 Plymouth Champ from a family friend for $1. It was black with a gold stripe down the side. It had a blown head gasket. Over the next few months I saved up and bought a head re-build kit from JC Whitney. Over all I put about $150 into the engine, including a brown replacement left door to replace the original that would flap in the breeze because of so much rust. I had the car about 2 years. I remember after about 1 year, I saw it at the local junk yard, it had been in a wreak. It was a great first car....