Evening all, I think its time to introduce you to my new project car, a 1983 Dodge Rampage Pick up truck.
What the hell is one of those ? I hear you ask!
Well, its probably worth giving a bit of back ground on what these mini trucks are based on and why they were brought to market.
Back in the late 70's Chrysler was virtually bankrupt with a outdated American product line. The decision was made that to turn the company around, a small, European sized hatchback to rival the VW Golf was needed. Something modern that they could build cheaply and sell in volume. So Chrysler US looked to Europe and co developed the Simca (later Talbot) Horizon.
The American version of the Horizon was quite different to the car we got here, and although all the panel work was the same, the suspension and engine layout was altered, with the US version being powered by a VW 1.7 EA827 4 cylinder ( more on this later) and having MacPherson strut suspension instead of the torsion bars of the european Horizon.
The car was released in 1979 as the Dodge Omni and the Plymouth Horizon. Shortly afterwards a hatchback coupe, the Dodge 024 (later renamed the Dodge Charger) was released with a wedge shaped body style, and in 1981 a Chrysler designed and built 2.2 OHC 4 cylinder was introduced as an alternative to the underpowered VW lump.
Now at the time the Golf based VW Caddy and Subaru Brat pickup, along with Japanese minitrucks were gaining some popularity in the US, so Dodge decided to build the Rampage, a mini truck based on the 024 coupe body shape, not the Omni hatch back.
The Rampage came out in 1982 with a 96hp version of the 2.2 and was built for only three years, 82, 83, and 84. Its a half ton truck, and is genuinely quite small, just a little longer and wider that a Mk1 caddy. Its a rather quirky and handsome thing, A pillars forwards it uses the same panel work as a 024 Charger, with a rather nicely (IMO) integrated pickup bed.
How the hell did I end up buying it?
My mk2 Escort is a good runner, and although in the long term it needs the bodywork seeing to, for now Id rather just drive, tinker and enjoy it rather than delving into a body restoration. So Ive been looking out for a new project for a few months now. I've looked at all sorts from Ford pumas and Sport Ka's, to MGF's and rover 200's, but none have really taken my fancy.
Now Ive always been a huge VW fan, and have always fancied a VW Caddy, so whilst searching caddy pickups, this Dodge came up as a suggestion. I first saw one of these in a episode of Roadkill awhile back on Motortrend and thought it would make a cool retro and I never expected to find one in the UK. It was only a few miles away I figured Id go and have a look at it and the rest is history!
What the hell is one of those ? I hear you ask!
Well, its probably worth giving a bit of back ground on what these mini trucks are based on and why they were brought to market.
Back in the late 70's Chrysler was virtually bankrupt with a outdated American product line. The decision was made that to turn the company around, a small, European sized hatchback to rival the VW Golf was needed. Something modern that they could build cheaply and sell in volume. So Chrysler US looked to Europe and co developed the Simca (later Talbot) Horizon.
The American version of the Horizon was quite different to the car we got here, and although all the panel work was the same, the suspension and engine layout was altered, with the US version being powered by a VW 1.7 EA827 4 cylinder ( more on this later) and having MacPherson strut suspension instead of the torsion bars of the european Horizon.
The car was released in 1979 as the Dodge Omni and the Plymouth Horizon. Shortly afterwards a hatchback coupe, the Dodge 024 (later renamed the Dodge Charger) was released with a wedge shaped body style, and in 1981 a Chrysler designed and built 2.2 OHC 4 cylinder was introduced as an alternative to the underpowered VW lump.
Now at the time the Golf based VW Caddy and Subaru Brat pickup, along with Japanese minitrucks were gaining some popularity in the US, so Dodge decided to build the Rampage, a mini truck based on the 024 coupe body shape, not the Omni hatch back.
The Rampage came out in 1982 with a 96hp version of the 2.2 and was built for only three years, 82, 83, and 84. Its a half ton truck, and is genuinely quite small, just a little longer and wider that a Mk1 caddy. Its a rather quirky and handsome thing, A pillars forwards it uses the same panel work as a 024 Charger, with a rather nicely (IMO) integrated pickup bed.
How the hell did I end up buying it?
My mk2 Escort is a good runner, and although in the long term it needs the bodywork seeing to, for now Id rather just drive, tinker and enjoy it rather than delving into a body restoration. So Ive been looking out for a new project for a few months now. I've looked at all sorts from Ford pumas and Sport Ka's, to MGF's and rover 200's, but none have really taken my fancy.
Now Ive always been a huge VW fan, and have always fancied a VW Caddy, so whilst searching caddy pickups, this Dodge came up as a suggestion. I first saw one of these in a episode of Roadkill awhile back on Motortrend and thought it would make a cool retro and I never expected to find one in the UK. It was only a few miles away I figured Id go and have a look at it and the rest is history!
