zzdcar
Home
/
Reviews
/
Buying
/
For $7,500, Go On A Rampage
For $7,500, Go On A Rampage-July 2024
2024-02-19 EST 22:10:07

There has never been a more contradictorily named vehicle than the Dodge Rampage. Today's pickup is a little more rampageous owing to its turbo 2.2, but will its price prove riot worthy?

There is no arguing the coolness factor of Ford's classic Escort rally homage model. And, due to the fact that it was likely one of the only ones to make the trip across the Atlantic, yesterday's was also likely the coolest in America. How cool you might ask? Well, apparently not twenty-three five cool as a solid 59% of you escorted the little Ford down to Crack Town.

When presented with the word 'Escort' do you think of Ford's lamentable eighties front-driver? Or,…

Do you remember Monday's two-headed Horizon? Of course you do. That odd bodkin most likely left you with a taste for some L-body goodness, but perhaps something a little more practical, and a ton less WTF?. If that's the case then this turbo'd may just be your pre-Thanksgiving appetizer.

The Rampage is a car-based mini-pickup derived from the Omni coupe, itself a derivative of the Simca-engineered L-platform 5-door econobox. The Rampage shared everything forward of the mirrors with its three-door sibling, but out back it gained a half-ton double wall bed riding on leaf springs and sea leg shocks and a wheelbase extended to 104.5 inches.

The Rampages, and their short-lived Plymouth Scamp siblings, were never about performance, and didn't get any edition of Chrysler's de facto '80s performance engine - the turbo four, but this one does.

The 2.2 turbo did appear in the Shelby Chargers, and in fact this intercooled mill is claimed to be a 'CSX Carroll Shelby experimental turbo intercooled motor.' Huh? It also has 5-lug snowflakes which indicates that the suspension has been upgraded as well, additionally evidenced by a strut tower brace in the engine room.

Other than that it looks to be pure uncut '80s Rampage 2.2. That means lots of fake scoops and side stripes, while on the inside it has those puffy seats that Chrysler seemed to love back in the day. The steering wheel also looks to be out of something other than a Rampage, maybe a Daytona Turbo Z perhaps?

The ad claims 22K on the motor, and probably the gearbox behind it. It also notes that the car (truck? car-truck? cruck?) is being sold for the , coming from their private collection. That provenance obviously isn't like saying it's out of the Ralph Lauren collection but at least it impresses that the car was likely not built by some backwoods hack.

The Rampage was never very popular, racking up fewer than 18,000 sales its best year on the market. Still, it's an interesting bit of Mopar history, and considering that the Turbo 2.2 is good for anywhere from 140 to 180-bhp, this one at about 2,300 pounds should be pretty entertaining to drive.

But is that entertainment worth the $7,500 ticket being asked for the show? Yeah the car looks pretty nice, and yes it's a unique offering what with the turbo'd mill and all, but still that's an old L-body and aside from the actual Shelby cars, those generally suck.

What do you think about this odd Rampage and its $7,500 price? Is that a deal for a little ass hauler? Or, is this a truck priced not to give a… well, you know.

You decide!

, or go if the ad disappears.

Help me out with NPOCP. Click to send a me a fixed-price tip, and remember to include your commenter handle.

Comments
Welcome to zzdcar comments! Please keep conversations courteous and on-topic. To fosterproductive and respectful conversations, you may see comments from our Community Managers.
Sign up to post
Sort by
Show More Comments
Buying
For $3,800, Could This 2006 Scion xB Outbox The Competition
For $3,800, Could This 2006 Scion xB Outbox The Competition
Unless your name is Humpty Dumpty a box is about the most efficient way to travel. You don’t get much boxier than today’s xB from the now defunct Scion, but will this one’s price have you saying box it up, I’ll take it? I’m actually surprised that yesterday’s fell in...
Jul 5, 2025
For $10,500, Could This 1972 Land Rover Series III 88 Truly Rile Britannia?
For $10,500, Could This 1972 Land Rover Series III 88 Truly Rile Britannia?
Today’s Land Rover shows that when you build a car long enough, having hand me down parts doesn’t really matter. We’ll still see if this one’s price makes it worth the sum of its parts. I’m sure many of you folks living in countries where driving on the left is...
Jul 5, 2025
For $10,500, Would You Take A Gamble With This 2005 Maserati Grand Sport?
For $10,500, Would You Take A Gamble With This 2005 Maserati Grand Sport?
The seller of today’s Maser says a previous owner attempted insurance fraud with the car. He says it’s A-Okay even though it comes with a flood damage title. We’ll have to see if it’s price means the seller is all wet. If you’ve ever seen the movie Logan’s Run then...
Jul 5, 2025
Could This Gray Market JDM 1989 Toyota Hilux Really Pick Up $16,995?
Could This Gray Market JDM 1989 Toyota Hilux Really Pick Up $16,995?
Today’s Hilux seemingly has it all. Its rare-in-the-states JDM body, a diesel mill, and 4x4 chassis might just fill you with desire, that is as long as you don’t mind buying it emptying your wallet. What would you call the wheels on last Friday’s , fat or phat? Either way,...
Jul 5, 2025
I Need An Exciting Car To Get Me To My Boring Job For Under $15,000! What Car Should I Buy?
I Need An Exciting Car To Get Me To My Boring Job For Under $15,000! What Car Should I Buy?
Bradley is 26, and like the rest of us dirtbags, he slogs away his 9 to 5 workday sitting behind a desk. Therefore, he needs to find enjoyment in his commute. I’m sure many of you can relate. What car should he buy? (Welcome back to ?, where we give...
Jul 5, 2025
For $7,000, Does This 2003 VW Jetta Wagon Make You Unic-Horny?
For $7,000, Does This 2003 VW Jetta Wagon Make You Unic-Horny?
The seller of today’s Jetta says its a unicorn owing to its level of kit and its low miles. We’ll just have to see if its price makes it truly a rare beast indeed. Fun fact: calling repeatedly faulty cars lemons most likely derived from early 20th century American slang...
Jul 5, 2025
Copyright 2023-2025 - www.zzdcar.com All Rights Reserved