1981 Plymouth Champ from North America - Comments

At 75000 miles the muffler went bad. At 110,000 miles in rapid order the clutch, electronic ignition, & something else needed replacing. The manual transmission needed coaxing to shift at times. At 130,000 miles I thought the engine was "getting weak". Spent a lot of money, but the mechanic never could find the problem. Continued to drive. After thousands of miles I finally figured the engine was OK, but the brakes were "very slightly on". New brake pads & rotors solved things! Wow! At 140,000+ miles, one cylinder had low compression & started to use some oil. At 146,000 miles & 21 years, the water pump failed, & I drove other cars.

Ran great for 110,000 miles except for muffler repair, giving reliable "back & forth to work" service. Champ averaged 42.7 mpg to work, & would hit 50+mpg on hi-way trips! Saw lots of mtns, canyons, & logging roads through the last of the 20th century. Saw lots of national parks, monuments, & states too. The Champ loved heights, still getting 40mpg at 10,000 to 12,000 foot altitudes despite not having fuel injection. Sold it after 22years. Saw it once around town 2 years later.

Nice review--brought back some memories. I had an 81 Colt, similar to yours, when I was younger. It wasn't the most glamorous machine, but it got me around. Was great in the snow and never failed to start.

Body integrity and a busted choke pulloff (combined with strict PA emission standards) forced me to get rid of it, but not before it turned over 200,000 on the clock.

I have happy memories of that car, glad you do too.

Cheers.

Thanks so much...

I just bought one of these for my first car.

Its excellent. It has 350000 miles on it, and I bought it from a young guy who was glad to get rid of it (I'm 16, but this guy was 20 and the poor car was so poorly maintained I had to:)

Change exhaust system

put oil, break, and transmision fluid in

change spark pluggs

get a new carburetor, since the one that was in it was gummed up

the guy drove the crap out of it, but I'm not like most young kids these ays--I learned from my Dad if you take care of a car, it takes care of you. And, since August, this Champs been a Champ in my mind--and dispite the lack of maintinence has held up to the cold and everything.

Can anybody tell me how she does in the snow--will I need chains? I'm not sure if the student parking lot gets plowed (but I'm pretty sure it does).

Excellent review, I will be sure to write one soon!

This is what I love about this site... there are different oppinions on a car..

So, thanks to whoever wrote this review

Thanks so much Steve for hoasting this site, and may this site help many people buy a car like me!

I wrote the comment about my 81 Colt, and in response to your question, the Colt/Champ is excellent in the snow. I wouldn't recommend chains with front wheel drive, but I would get studded snow tires. I had them on mine and it was practically unstoppable. The P/E manual transmission / front drive / skinny snow tires combo really helped. However, the car was rather light and tended to move in the direction of the tracks in the snow. It may be worth keeping some weight in the car if you see heavy snow.

Made the original report here. Champ was good in the snow with chains. Used to take it up snowy mountain logging roads as far as possible. Then I'd cross-country ski to mountain tops. Once navigated a narrow snowy logging road next to a vertical cliff rising next to the road with a very slight tilt away from said cliff. The problem was if the Champ started sliding off the road it would plummet 500 feet vertically straight down. But Champ held its traction. At another time while rounding a shadowy corner, Champ hit super slippery ice. The whole car translated sideways into the on-coming lane. God's fortune, there was no one in the on-coming lane, the balance was perfect & I never jammed on my brakes. When Champ found its traction again, it was still straight on the road & momentum carried me right on thru the corner till I got back on my side of the road. Champ was great!

Had the original report here. Also remembered, the engine had a tiny intake valve that activated at low rpms. The small valve would speed incoming air & swirl it. With the compression stroke, adding less fuel to the swirling air & a spark, the engine burned clean without loss of power. Sounded theoretical, but my results proved excellent.

My dad just got a car called a Plymouth Champ (1981). That car rocks!!! Just to tell you, but I am writing this in the year 2007 OK, every thing is original and this car is incredibly clean inside and out, and for the best part... IT HAS 41,000 MILES ON IT!!! NO, WE DID NOT JACK UP THE MILES!!! We got it from one my dad's worker friend. She was an old lady that did not use the car that much. She actually got it from her mom that could not drive any more. That car was garaged all its life (27 years).

We have had this car for about 5 months and the only thing we've had a problem with was the carburetor. It was just sitting in their garage for so long that the gas inside got all gunky, and made it have bad gas mileage. But we fixed it and it is now running like new! THIS CAR IS GOING TO LAST SUCH A LONG TIME!!!

I have a 1980 Champ and it is the sweetest car ever. It has just shy of 200,000 Mi. and I have no intention on getting rid of it. Ever!!! Does anyone know where I can get parts? I have a worn steering knuckle, and I am having trouble locating any a junk yards.

Any info would be appreciated.

Hi 22:18...How's your Champ doing? Have you set sail for the mtns & the west yet? I highly recommend the Sierra Nevada mtns, Rocky Mountains, southern Utah & northern Arizona canyons & desolations. Black Hills & badlands of S. Dakota, Yellowstone & Jackson Hole are spectacular too. With the Champ you have, its almost like free travel. So you have to take advantage of the Champ's ability to transport with little cost. Even with high gas these days, Champ travel is still cheap. Roll those wheels & see America at its best. Late spring & mid-October thru early November are the best times to explore America. Later November, the high mountains are usually buried in snow making 5000 to 10,000 mile travels bad.

Great to see how the Plymouth Champ keeps on running! Just got a 1981 Champ with 71,000 miles on it and it runs great. But the Clutch cable just broke and having trouble finding the part. Can't even find a dealership that can find the parts number! Any suggestions on where to find one? Today is April 22, 2008 and I need help locating this part so I can get back on the road.