Used Car of the Day: 1982 Dodge Rampage Project Car(s)

Tim Healey
by Tim Healey

We had a project-ready Ford Thunderbird last week, and today we're featuring a 1982 Dodge Rampage that needs some work. Actually, two of them.


Six-thousand dollars get you in the door. The seller says the Rampage that's pictured being worked on in a garage is in better shape than the other, which appears to be a parts car. The "better" truck has a new carburetor and runs. There are also new parts, still in the box, available. These include a new fuel tank, rear struts, and rear springs.

Still, it needs work. The floor can be stood on but is not done, and there are no brakes. Repeat, there are no brakes. So you will be trailering this one home.

Well, it needs a gas tank, anyway.

Buy this one, and the seller recommends buying the second as a parts donor.

If you're a weekend wrench, give this one a look.

[Images: Seller]

Become a TTAC insider. Get the latest news, features, TTAC takes, and everything else that gets to the truth about cars first by  subscribing to our newsletter.

Tim Healey
Tim Healey

Tim Healey grew up around the auto-parts business and has always had a love for cars — his parents joke his first word was “‘Vette”. Despite this, he wanted to pursue a career in sports writing but he ended up falling semi-accidentally into the automotive-journalism industry, first at Consumer Guide Automotive and later at Web2Carz.com. He also worked as an industry analyst at Mintel Group and freelanced for About.com, CarFax, Vehix.com, High Gear Media, Torque News, FutureCar.com, Cars.com, among others, and of course Vertical Scope sites such as AutoGuide.com, Off-Road.com, and HybridCars.com. He’s an urbanite and as such, doesn’t need a daily driver, but if he had one, it would be compact, sporty, and have a manual transmission.

More by Tim Healey

Comments
Join the conversation
3 of 21 comments
  • Midnite_clyde Midnite_clyde on Feb 01, 2023

    My '82 Rampage, in a barn, appears to be in better shape than what's shown. Loved driving the thing (4 sp manual) though I learned later it's a death trap. Any head-on wreck you're a gonner. Other than that...any offers? : )

  • Asmedts Asmedts on Oct 10, 2023

    Looking for driver side door window for a 1982 Dodge Rampage. Or anything that could be compatible. Thanks!

  • Billyboy The Big Three, or what used to be the Big Three, have been building sedans in the FWD unibody mold since the 80’s to compete with the Japanese - and failing. The Taurus was the only decent attempt, and even that fizzled out after a few years. Back to GM, There’s no reason to choose a Malibu over a Camry or Accord for normal buyers. The story was the same when it was the Citation, Celebrity, Lumina, and Impala, as it was the same with Ford and Chrysler. GM knows this, as does Ford, and doesn’t care - and rightfully so. Better to cede this time-worn commodity segment to others and focus to where the market has shifted.
  • CanadaCraig You are not wrong. Or a dummy for that matter. I also think it's foolish of GM to kill off the Malibu. That said... I think there needs to be full-sized plain jane sedans for sale. And there are none. And haven't been for a long time. A basic BIG car. With room for six. Bench seat and all. Nothing fancy. And a low price to go along with it. I would buy one.
  • OCcarguy Back in the 1980s the Mitsubishi Cordia was one of my favorite cars. I would love to see them make cars we could get excited about again.
  • Chris I dislike SUVs. I think they are clunky looking and not much in the handling department. I'll take an Audi A4 or BMw three series or even a VW Jetta over any SUV. It I need more interior room for a shot time, I'll rent something bigger.
  • Amwhalbi I have a sedan and an SUV, and for pure driving and riding enjoyment, I'll pick my sedan every time. But yes, SUV's are generally more practical for all around usage, particularly if you have only one vehicle. So I think the perfect answer is the sedan hatchback (a la the last Buick Regal) which can still yield the drive and ride or a sedan, yet provide a greater modicum of practical, accessible cargo capacity. Most of the sedans made could (with minor styling changes) easily become 4 door hatchbacks. Oh, yeah, I forgot - Americans don't like hatchbacks, even if they do in Europe...
Next