Is the Scamp a Dodge or Plymouth?
The Scamp is a Plymouth.
In the 1970s, Chrysler’s Plymouth division used the Scamp name for a sporty compact model built on the same A‑body underpinnings shared with Dodge. There has never been an official production Dodge Scamp; the badge remained Plymouth, with Dodge offering its own Dart/Swinger and Duster variants on the same platform.
Origins and placement in the lineup
Key facts about the Scamp’s place in Chrysler’s lineup and how badge engineering worked at the time.
Key facts about the Plymouth Scamp include the following:
- Brand and period: Plymouth, produced in the early to mid‑1970s on the Chrysler A‑body platform.
- Body style and trim: two‑door coupe with sport‑oriented trim, positioned as a compact performance model within Plymouth's lineup.
- Badge and market: carried Plymouth badges; there was no official Dodge Scamp model in production.
- Mechanical notes: shared engines and running gear with other A‑body cars of the era (e.g., inline engines and small‑block V8 options).
- Legacy: today it is considered a niche collectible among Plymouth enthusiasts.
In short, the Scamp’s lineage is tied to Plymouth rather than Dodge, reflecting Chrysler’s badge‑engineering approach of the era.
Relation to Dodge models
To understand the contrast with Dodge, it helps to look at the Dodge equivalents on the same platform and how they differ in branding.
Key facts about the Dodge comparison include:
- Closest Dodge counterparts: On the same A‑body platform, Dodge offered models like the Dart/Dart Sport and the Duster, which served similar market segments as the Plymouth Scamp but carried Dodge badges.
- Platform sharing: The Scamp shared its underlying architecture with these Dodge models, illustrating Chrysler’s cross‑brand sharing without a Scamp badge on the Dodge side.
- Brand distinction: The Scamp remains a Plymouth‑specific name in historical catalogs and collector references.
For collectors and historians, the distinction matters because it marks the difference between Plymouth’s sporty compact identity and Dodge’s Dart/Duster lineup from the same family tree.
Why the distinction matters today
Knowing whether the Scamp is Plymouth or Dodge helps collectors identify authenticity, parts compatibility, and historical provenance for classic cars from the era.
In sum, the Scamp is a Plymouth model, not a Dodge, and there was no production Dodge Scamp, though Dodge did offer closely related Dart/Swinger and Duster variants on the same platform.
Summary
The Scamp is a Plymouth-branded compact from the early 1970s. It is not a Dodge, though it shared its platform with Dodge Dart/Swinger and Duster models. The name remains part of Plymouth's historical lineup and is of interest mainly to classic-car collectors and enthusiasts today.
What was the Dodge version of the Plymouth Scamp?
Dodge Rampage
Is the Scamp related to the Dodge Dart?
Did you know the Plymouth Scamp is actually a rebadged Dodge Dart Swinger? It had a short-lived run from 1971-76 ending mostly due to its lack of fuel efficiency compounded by the 1973 American fuel crisis. Many Scamps were three-speed automatic which was considered a luxury back then.
How much is a Plymouth Scamp worth?
Typically, you can expect to pay around $14,300 for a 1972 Plymouth Valiant Scamp in good condition with average spec.
What car company made the Scamp?
There have been two small cars from Plymouth called the Scamp: 1971–1976 RWD 2-door hardtop coupe, based on the Plymouth Valiant. 1983 FWD coupé utility, based on the Plymouth Horizon; see Dodge Rampage.
