Rides from the Readers: 1974 Plymouth Scamp

Hagerty readers and Hagerty Drivers Club members share their cherished collector and enthusiast vehicles with us via our contact email, tips@hagerty.com. We’re showcasing some of our favorite stories among these submissions. To have your car featured, send complete photography and your story of ownership to the above email address.

Today’s featured car is a 1974 Plymouth Scamp. Essentially a Dodge Dart Swinger with different badging, the Scamp was introduced in 1971 and sold through 1976. The ’74 models are distinguished from the previous model year by their enlarged rear bumpers, which grew in response to federal impact standards. The rear lights migrated upward and out of the bumper in ’74, as well.

This particular Scamp is powered by Chrysler’s venerable 318 and belongs to Josh Miller, who—together with his father, Victor—repainted the car this spring. Josh has owned the Scamp for 10 years, and it had worn nothing but primer for several of those. Neither father nor son had a problem with the primered Scamp, but in April they decided an upgrade was in store.

After a thorough sanding and prepping routine, the father and son broke out Krylon rattle cans of metallic charcoal and burgundy. “The only bad side effect we both suffered was sore index fingers!” Victor writes. Following the actual paint job, the pair wet-sanded the Scamp and polished it with liquid wax, adding a silver pinstripe at the paint break line. The next step is a polymer sealer.

“We did most of the work in my garage,” Victor writes, “and had a blast as we laughed and just enjoyed each other’s company—while consuming many Pepsis!”