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Question Of The Day: What Car Are You Happy To Find That Nobody Else In The World Is?


Question Of The Day: What Car Are You Happy To Find That Nobody Else In The World Is?

Behold, a 1980 Plymouth Champ. Like it’s Dodge Colt sibling, it is a symbol of the more questionable products of the company’s partnership with Mitsubishi under the “Imported For…” deals that produced winners like the Dodge D-50, Chrysler Conquest and Plymouth Laser. They were unabashed, knee-jerk responses to the demands for fuel mileage cars. They were small, tinny, cheap, and had all the structural integrity of a soda can. I’ve seen that first-hand…my aunts got them as first cars and by 1988, both had been turned into accidental origami that made everyone question if anyone survived (they both did.)

However, after finding this amazingly solid example on eBay, I’m kind of excited to know that one still exists in the wild. It’s not an RS or GTS model, but all that means is that it doesn’t look fast…neither the RS or GTS model were what we’d call “quick”, even by yesterday’s standard. It’s no hot rod, never will be, but it’s got two tricks going for it: great fuel mileage (honest mid-30s MPG) and the unique “Twin Stick” 4×2 manual transmission. The trans is a four-speed manual with a hi-lo splitter stick that feasibly could produce eight forward gears if you were inclined to rock two sticks in a tiny little hatchback. Did we mention that this car is super clean for what it is?

Yes, this is weird, even compared to what I’m known for liking. In fact, if anybody else is digging on this little ride, we will be shocked. But do you have a car that you have a similar take on? You adore it, and are unbelievably happy to see one still tooling about, while your gearhead friends Google-search to see how many signatures are needed to have you committed. No shame here, let’s hear ’em!

eBay Link: 1980 Plymouth Champ


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26 thoughts on “Question Of The Day: What Car Are You Happy To Find That Nobody Else In The World Is?

  1. Chevy Hatin' Mad Geordie

    All I can say is that your definition of happiness must be getting your eyes ripped out if you like this piece of shit!

  2. Dan Barlow

    Toyota cressida . Last toyota sedan with rear drive and fully independent suspension. It had a inline 6 twin cam motor that was a real jewel . It was like a Japanese BMW .

  3. jerry z

    Early 70’s Opel Kadett station wagon. My parents had one during the first gas crisis in ’73 and always wanted to hot rod one of these.

  4. Random

    2dr 92-95ish Grand Am GT. I used to only look for the H.O. 4 cyl 5 spd ones. I haven\’t seen one in years though. At least not any clean ones. I\’d settle for one with a V6 and an auto if I could find one.

  5. Dan B.

    Any square body Ford Ranger 1983-1992 that still has the lower core support completely intact, firewall seam not rusted through and leaf spring hangers in place. They are out there but usually in pretty rough shape.

  6. Matt Cramer

    A twin stick Colt was one of the two cars I learned to drive stick-shift on.

    But for some reason I’ve often wanted to get another one of the oddball Mopar Mitsubishi imports, a Plymouth Sapporo. It is likely at some point that it would receive an engine swap, though.

  7. Big Sky Dreamer

    Late ’80’s/early ’90’s 4dr Chevette – yeah that’s right – There’s some fogeys around town that have one with a factory diesel. I’ve seen it forever – its as cherry as it was when new but sounds like a handful of marbles in a paint bucket. Not for sale

  8. 1badmonkey

    Renault Fuego turbo. just like my mom bought new with the easy to break sliding sunroof. also the first car i learned to drive a manual.

    1. Dabidoh Sambone

      Damn you. I literally was going to post Fuego Turbo, then find that you already had done so. I also planned on mentioning the Webasto fabric sun roof.
      Now I have to fall back to my boring and obvious 2nd choice: Pacer.

  9. John McKenzie

    I\’m partial to finding an 80\’s Dodge Rampage. A Lot of folks don\’t know this, but those little trucks were quite handy, and they were well balanced and cornered pretty good when not loaded.

      1. BeaverMartin

        Man I miss my Rampage. I loved it. A Macco Orange paint job and I was super cool.

  10. Kevin

    I would like to drag a 1969 Chevy Opala, made in South America, to the states and give it the Street Machine treatment. Instant hit at the car shows.

  11. Scott Liggett

    My sister had that era Dodge Colt Turbo in black and red. She got every single squirrel power out that little rocket.

    I have a thing for a few weird cars.
    A 77-78 Honda Accord hatchback. Must have the 5 spd. The Hondamatic was awful.

  12. Gump

    87 T-bird Turbo Coupe stick car. Had one, put too much boost to it, hurt the engine and sold it. Wish I kept and rebuilt it. Was a fun car.

  13. Wolfdad

    1990 Corolla Wagon with 5spd manual. My grandma bought one brand new when I was 3 and it’s what I learned to drive a stick in. After she gave it to my mom and bought her 97 Corolla Sedan. I still smile everytime I see one of those wagons on the road.

  14. 1mean02hd

    79 Pinto sedan. 2.3L 4 speed. Dad had one with 4 spike Cragar SS on it. I’d swap in a turbo 2.3L with a T5. And put a fuel cell in the trunk. It would be awesome.

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