As modern vans get bigger and bigger, there is regular talk of the introduction of compact models on the market. The Ram Rampage, produced in Brazil, should soon make its appearance in North America. This name should remind something to those who knew the 80s…
Following a letter from a farmer’s wife in 1932 requesting “a vehicle to go to church on Sundays and to take our pigs to market on Mondays”, Australian engineer Lewis Bandt developed a vehicle which combined the front of a classic car with the back of a van. In 1934, the ute cut (utility coupe) or ute was born. Australian tradition, it was not until 1957 and the Ford Ranchero that this bodywork was introduced, with relative success, in North America. Chevrolet would launch the El Camino in 1959. Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, these two models competed against each other.
Photo: Ford
It’s L, it’s L!
The arrival in 1974 (1975 in North America) of the Golf turned things upside down in the compact vehicle segment on both sides of the Atlantic. Chrysler Europe begins that same year the development of a new front-wheel drive, under the name of project C2, which will become the Horizon. The engineering is carried out in France, at Simca, and the styling in England, at Rootes. When the president of Chrysler, Gene Cafiero, sees the car, he decides that the C2 will also be marketed in the United States and Canada (the first CAFE consumption standards, for Corporate Average Fuel Economy, are planned for 1978).
In April 1975, the study was combined with America, where it took the name L-Body. If the two models share a common aesthetic (apart from the bumpers), they are in fact based on very different floors, the Americans having chosen McPherson suspensions at the front while the Europeans use torsion bars. The rear suspension is trailing arms in both cases but the geometries are specific to each continent. The Dodge Omni and Plymouth Horizon are launched for the 1978 model year. These are extremely important models for Chrysler for two reasons. The first is that, in all its versions, nearly 2.5 million units of the L platform will be sold until 1990. The second is that it will bring front-wheel drive to Chrysler America (just before the European subsidiaries are sold to Peugeot in August 1978), a fundamental technology that will serve as the basis for the K-Cars, which will simply save the company.
Photo: Dodge
A first adaptation
While Chrysler had empty pockets, in 1979 it released small coupés on the L platform with a shortened wheelbase (2.45 meters against 2.52 for the sedans) baptized Omni 024 at Dodge and TC3 at Plymouth. From 1983 they became the Charger and Turismo respectively (after a Charger 2.2 variant was introduced at Dodge in 1982). If the only engine initially available was a 4-cylinder 1.7 L of Volkswagen origin, an in-house 2.2-litre 4-cylinder was added to the 1981 vintage. These two coupés were sold until 1987 at 786,198 units. A great success for models now forgotten.
Photo: Dodge
A second adjustment
It was Hank Carlini who had the idea of modifying the Omni 024 in ute. The latter is one of the trusted men of Lee Iacocca, president of Chrysler since 1978. The two met at Ford, where Carlini was notably responsible for the development of the DeTomaso Pantera. When Iacocca was fired by Henry Ford and found himself in charge of the company at the Pentastar, Carlini followed him to become in charge of special projects. The two were dating outside of work since the latter was part of Iacocca’s poker circle, which met on Friday evenings.
When Iacocca sees the prototype of this transformed Omni 024, he immediately gives the green light. The adaptation to the series is relatively simple (therefore inexpensive): the entire front, including the passenger compartment, comes from the 024. The body is completely monocoque with the box comprising a double-walled construction in galvanized steel. Under this box is added a reinforcement frame with 6 crosspieces. The trailing-arm rear suspension is replaced by a combined leaf spring/shock absorber. The wheelbase goes from 2.45 to 2.65 meters. The load capacity is 520 kg (1,145 lb) while the towing capacity is 340 kg (750 lb). The only engine available is the 2.2-liter 84 horsepower. It can be mated to either a 4-speed manual or an optional 3-speed automatic.
Photo: Dodge
A niche segment
The Dodge Rampage was introduced for the 1982 model year. It was available in two versions: base or Sport. The entry-level model offers 13-inch wheels mounted in 175, AM radio, heater and two-speed windshield wipers. The Sport version adds 14-inch wheels in 195, a shorter axle ratio (from 2.69:1 to 3.13:1), Rallye instrumentation (with rev counter and clock) and paint two tones with specific decoration. Among the options, we find air conditioning, box rails, various radios (single AM/FM, with 8-track player or cassette player), cruise control, power steering, a box cover, aluminum rims of 14 inches as well as lighting and popular equipment groups (lighting group plus power steering, exterior adjustable mirrors and intermittent windshield wipers).
Photo: Dodge
The Rampage is in a fairly small market segment and faces a small competition: the Subaru BRAT and Volkswagen Rabbit pickup. The Chevrolet El Camino is in a higher category whereas Ford threw in the towel with the Ranchero in 1979 (there is the Ford Durango offered between 1979 and 1982, but it is a Fairmont-based conversion made by National Coach Works only 212 copies). In its 1983 edition, the Car guide puts an automatic Rampage to the test. The vehicle is appreciated for its handling, roominess, loading platform and well-designed storage spaces. The body noises, the sloppy finish, the seats lacking lateral support and the anemic automatic transmission are disappointing, however. Fuel consumption during the test was 11.8 L/100 km.
Photo: Dodge
The production of 1982 ends at 17,636 copies, which seems to be a good result since Dodge renews the model for 1983 but, in addition, Plymouth will be entitled to its own version. This division of Chrysler is much less recognized for its utilities than Dodge, even if it markets the Trail Duster and vans since 1974. Called Scamp, it is available in two variants, base or GT, and takes up the front of the Turismo coupe . Unfortunately, this model goes completely unnoticed and only 3,564 copies will be manufactured (2,184 base and 1,380 GT). It will logically not be renewed.
Photo: Dodge
The Dodge Rampage saw various upgrades for the 1983 model year: an optional 5-speed manual transmission, larger brake discs, and standard halogen headlights, clock, and intermittent wipers. The Sport version becomes 2.2 (which is disconcerting since all Rampages have a 2.2 liter). Production fell to 8,033 copies, probably due to competition from Scamp.
A beautiful end
The 1984 vintage sees a slight restyling of the grille, which now incorporates 4 headlights. The 5-speed manual transmission comes standard and engine power increases to 98 horsepower. A Prospector package is available as an option (two-tone paint, body side bars, tonneau cover, specific logos and enhanced equipment, depending on the version).
Photo: Dodge
If Carroll Shelby had shown in 1983 a prototype of very modified Rampage, baptized Street Fighter, it will not produce it in series. California Dodge dealerships will convert 218 Rampages to Shelby Rampages by installing the Shelby Charger front end, 15-inch wheels and styling. The basic equipment will also include power steering, air conditioning and cruise control. A nice parting gift because, after 11,732 copies produced, the Rampage will not be renewed. The factory in Belvedere, Illinois, is running at full speed and assembling this somewhat too special model is slowing down the pace. At this time, Chrysler experienced a dramatic turnaround. The company has deep pockets and intends to fill them even more!