Scamp vs. Valiant

They did mix and match bodystyles quite a bit between the Dart and Valiant in the early seventies.

Short version:

When the redesigned bodies came out in 1967 the Valiant rode on a 108" wheelbase, the Dart was a little longer with its 111".
The Valiant was only offered as a 2 or 4 door sedan while the Dart was also available as a hardtop and convertible.

The "trouble" all started when Plymouth added the Duster in 1970 (Still on the Valiant wheelbase). When the Barracuda went from A to E-body there was no sporty 2-door Plymouth A-body to put the 340 in, thats where the Duster came into the picture. It was actually developed much for that reason and not meant to be a high volume seller but much to Chryslers surprise it sold in huge numbers with the six and 318.
Seeing how succesfull the Duster was, Dodge also wanted one. Thats were the mixing starts.. Their Demon was introduced in 1971, basically a Duster with Dart front clip and its own taillights, including the short wheelbase. Just take a look at a Demons wheel arches, Dodge front and Plymouth rear, not matching at all. But it does look good with the bigger lip on the rear fenders.

But they didn't stop there.. It was also decided to make a Plymouth 2-door hardtop, the Scamp. Introduced in 1971 it was, as mentioned in earlier posts, a Dart with Valiant front clip. The Scamp also has mismatched wheelarches but the other way around. When you think of it it does look a little funny with the bigger lip of the Valiant fenders on the front and the contoured Dart rear lips..

So from 1971 the only Valiant riding on the long wheelbase was the Scamp, the sedan was still 108". But that changed in 1974 when all Valiants adopted the Darts 111" wheelbase and the 2-door hardtop could also be had as an ordinary Valiant without the Scamp name..

Still not confused? :tongue: