The Plymouth Colt was a captive import built by Mitsubishi and sold by Chrysler from 1971 to 1994. It was a key part of Chrysler's strategy to compete with small, fuel-efficient Japanese imports. Over five generations, the Colt was based on various Mitsubishi platforms, primarily the Lancer and Mirage, and was available in a wide array of body styles including coupes, sedans, wagons, and hatchbacks.
Collectors are drawn to the Colt for its 80s and 90s nostalgia and its unique position as a rebadged JDM classic. The most desirable models are the turbocharged variants, like the Colt GTS Turbo, which shared its powertrain with the Mitsubishi Mirage Turbo. Another notable feature is the quirky "Twin-Stick" manual transmission, a dual-range 4-speed that offered 8 forward gears for either performance or economy.
The market for the Plymouth Colt is small but growing, driven by interest in Radwood-era cars. It remains an affordable entry point, with an average sale price around $6,200. The top of the market, approaching $11,500, is reserved for pristine, low-mileage survivors and the rare, higher-performance turbo models. Most cars traded are from the final generations sold in the 1980s and early 1990s.
Buying Tips
- Check for rust in the rocker panels, floor pans, and around the strut towers, as these cars had minimal corrosion protection from the factory.
- On turbocharged models, look for signs of oil leaks from the turbocharger or excessive blue smoke from the exhaust, which can indicate worn seals.
- Test the "Twin-Stick" manual transmission if equipped. Make sure both the standard 4-speed shifter and the secondary Power/Economy lever operate correctly.
- Interior plastics and fabrics are prone to sun damage. Look for cracked dashboards and brittle trim, as replacement parts are extremely scarce.
- Verify the health of the timing belt. The Mitsubishi 4G-series engines are interference designs, and a snapped belt will cause catastrophic engine damage.
Recent sales show prices for Plymouth Colts range from $2,500 for project cars to over $11,500 for well-preserved or turbocharged examples.
16 Plymouth Colt vehicles have been tracked across auctions and listings on Hypercars, with 5 currently live.
Data sourced from Bring a Trailer, Cars & Bids, eBay Motors, PCarMarket, and Collecting Cars. Updated daily.
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