Dodge Rampage

Dodge Rampage
1982 Dodge Rampage
Overview
Manufacturer	Chrysler Corporation
Also called	Plymouth Scamp
Production	1982–1984 37,401 produced
Model years	1982–1984
Assembly	Belvidere, Illinois (Belvidere Assembly Plant)
Body and chassis
Class	Coupé utility
Body style	2-door truck
Layout	Transverse front-engine, front-wheel drive
Platform	L-body
Related	Dodge Charger Plymouth Turismo Dodge Omni 024 Plymouth TC3
Powertrain
Engine	2.2 L K I4
Transmission	4/5-speed manual 3-speed A404 automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	104.2 in (2,647 mm)
Length	183.7 in (4,666 mm)
Width	66.8 in (1,696 mm)
Height	51.7 in (1,314 mm)
Curb weight	2,293 lbs (1,040 kg)

The Dodge Rampage was a subcompact, unibody^[1] coupe utility based on Chrysler's L platform and manufactured from 1982 to 1984. First released as a 1982 model, the Rampage was later joined for 1983 by its rebadged variant, the Plymouth Scamp.

The Rampage borrowed the car's unibody construction and front end panels and components from the sporty 024/Charger variant, and used the suspension from the Omni/Horizon with coil struts and a linkless sway bar at the front, and leaf springs with shock absorbers unique to the Rampage at the rear.^[2]

It was available with a Chrysler built and designed 2.2 L carbureted inline-four engine with 96 hp (72 kW) and a curb weight of around 2,400 lb (1,100 kg). In the first year, it had leisurely performance due to the four-speed manual transmission along with a three-speed automatic transmission.

1984 Dodge Rampage

Performance was improved with the introduction of a five-speed manual transmission in 1983. The truck had a load capacity of 1,145 lb (519 kg), for a true "half ton" rating. This compared favorably to General Motors' Chevrolet El Camino's rating of 1250 lbs. In addition to the El Camino, the Volkswagen Rabbit Sportruck and Subaru BRAT were the Rampage's main competition.

In 1984, the Rampage received a facelifted front fascia shared with the Charger, with quad 165 mm x 100 mm sealed beam headlights opposed to the dual 200 mm x 142 mm sealed beam headlights found on previous models. The grille was also changed, switching from a 6-slot design to a vertically split design. The lower bumper was switched from a pronounced part that bulged out to a more sleek design with near-flush indicators, a horizontally split lower air intake, and an impact strip that wrapped around the front clip.

A rebadged version, the Plymouth Scamp, was only marketed for 1983. The Rampage lasted three years before being dropped from production after the 1984 model year. There was a "Shelby Rampage" built by Chrysler/Shelby engineers in their free time for Carroll Shelby, but there is no official record of the existence of such a vehicle. However, a special California market "Direct Connection" Rampage was built in 1984 and only sold at certain California-area Dodge dealerships, which featured the front fascia from the Shelby Charger, 15-inch alloy wheels, and a ground effects package.^[3]

Only 250 "Direct Connection" Rampages were produced. 1/3 Black 1/3 Garnet Red 1/3 Santa Fe Blue

The Dodge Rampage (17,636 sold in 1982, 8,033 in 1983, and 11,732 in 1984^[2]) didn't take off in the market as had been expected. Sales totals for the Plymouth Scamp were 2,184 base models and 1,380 Scamp GT models.^[2]

2006 concept[]

Dodge resurrected the Rampage name at the 2006 Chicago Auto Show with a front-wheel drive concept pickup. As opposed to the original Rampage, this concept vehicle was as large as the full-size Dodge Ram. It was powered by the 5.7 L Hemi V8 and featured "Stow 'n Go" seating taken from the Chrysler minivans.

References[]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Dodge Rampage.