1981 Plymouth Champ from North America - Comments

I've had to replace the CV boots (4) and joints (3) I don't know if that's normal or excessive for the mileage.

Rear wheel wells rusted out around 205000 miles.

I'm on my third set of brakes. I consider that to be pretty good.

Replaced the interior carpeting at 208000 miles. The driver seat vinyl was also replaced, using the original cloth insert. All other upholstery is still in good condition.

Drips oil. No one has ever been able to determine the cause to make it stop. Does not drip enough to require adding any between changes.

Replaced starter around 175000 miles.

I continue to drive this car because it fits me. I can reach all the controls easily and it's comfortable. I have not been able to find those two qualities in any other car I've driven.

Also, my gas mileage is still better than most of the newer cars on the road. I was getting 36-40 mpg until the State introduced MTBE into its gas supply. I now get 32-36.

I wish I still had my '81 Champ. It was a great little car.

So glad to read about other champ owners. I am in the process of replacing the head gasket at 360,000m, replace the exhaust manifold and cat. upholstery has to be replace. It was used on a farm at one time. I'm actually restoring it to show this next summer in the mo-par shows. love the car, great mileage with gas prices now. yes it's a 1.6, Manuel, stock.

Why would anyone "restore" a Champ to show at the "mo-par" shows?

The thing was built completely by Mitsubishi. The only thing "mo-par" about it is the "Plymouth" nameplate.

I'd go to a show to see one. It would probably be the rarest car there. But don't you agree that AMC should have sued mitsubishi for blatantly ripping off the Gremlin.

I had a Champ, I believe it was a 1979...bought from my father as my first car when I went to college. Great gas mileage, good pick up. In 1989, at 285000+ the suspension went out. Nothing I have had since compares. Loved that car! Even a deer could not wipe it out!

We had a 1979 Plymouth Champ and it was my Dad's brand new, then he gave it to my brother. My brother drove that car into the ground. It needed it's first clutch at 120,000! The car was virtually falling apart interior wise, but ran awesome. I miss that little car, it was fun to drive with the economy and power shifter as well.

I have a 1980 Plymouth Champ that my mom gave me. She had it stored in her basement for 7 years and it's still going. It only has 80,000 miles on it as she hardly drove it.

I replaced many parts on it, but now the stick shift is broke, it fell through the floor and I replaced it with a part from the junkyard. It broke again even though I had it welded.

I'm hoping someone out there can help me so I don't have to part with it.

Please email me at:leadfootzzz@hotmail.com..Thanks.

As far as the shifter falling through the floor, all you need to do is to get a shifter out of a Hyundai Excel, 1980's model and it will bolt right in. In fact the seats, suspension components and many other things will bolt right in to the colt/champ. I have owned 4 colts and champs and I am actually wanting to get another one since I have now two boys driving and I need a dependable car for them.

I had a 1981 Champ. My father bought it new and gave it to me when I got my license in '88. It had a problem keeping up with my friends porsches and saabs and they called it the "go-go champ." I think they meant to be derisive.

The clutch went in '90 and my father thought it not worth the money to repair it so it was junked.

I loved the car anyway, like I love my dog; so much so that I just now looked up the model with the hopes of buying another one for kicks.

I'm glad others have similar fond memories.

I have an 81 champ right now just put a new starter on it I had to special order t of course took 3 days, but the car is great got it for my wife to go back an forth to work nice to know she in a safe reliable car that's easy to repair if it breaks down.

A red 1979 Champ with the "red and white package," A/C, and the twin stick was my very first car in 1982. Bought it used from a dealer with 39,000 miles on it for $2500. The biggest mistake I ever made was trading it in a few years later on a big V8 Buick. I have lots of fond memories of my little red Champ. It was fun to drive, got great mileage, and was surprisingly comfortable and roomy inside for such a small car (I'm 6'3, 200#). In '85 I remember test-driving a new Colt GTS Turbo, and man, did those things ever SCREAM! 0-60 in something like 5 seconds, as I recall. Unfortunately, I was a poor college student at the time, and couldn't come up with the 7 grand it took to own a new one.

I am 18 and have a '81 champ ohh is my baby my first car I won't trade it for nothing I am from Puerto Rico and I say that my champ y the best in all Puerto Rico. I have it for over 2 years. It's white with black and red stripes by its sides, all the windows are tinted black. I installed 10 clarion speakers and it sounds great!!. Some people ask me for trade, but I will not accept. "La Bandolera" that how I name it. my champ have gave me some problem, but nothing that an auto-parts and junkers can't fix. I'm sorry for those that just have memories of their own champs, really.

1980 Plymouth Champ!

By far the BEST car I have ever owned. Bought it 9 years old with 100k on it for 1400$. Drove it for another 11 years and another 120k miles, and still sold it for 700$.

NEVER failed to start or never left me stranded, did not break, and still up to 38 mpg with a carburetor!

Fond memories of the "twin stick".

May 31, 2008.

I have a 1981 Plymouth Champ which I bought new for $6500.00. Best car I ever owned. It has 362,000 miles on it. Same engine, never re-built. I did several timing belts, one water pump, and brakes. The car was shipped to the Virgin Islands, and back to the States. It won't stop running. GREAT VEHICLE! Because of high gas prices I just re-started it after 2 years and parked my Mercedes.