What cars did Plymouth make in 1975?
Plymouth’s 1975 U.S. passenger-car lineup consisted of the compact Valiant family (Valiant, Duster, and Scamp), the intermediate-size Fury line (including a Road Runner option package on the Fury two-door), and the full-size Gran Fury, which was built primarily for fleets and police duty in the United States. In short, if you were shopping Plymouth cars in 1975, you were looking at Valiant/Duster/Scamp on the compact side, Fury (and Road Runner) in the middle, and the mostly fleet-only Gran Fury at the top, with wagons offered under Valiant and Fury “Suburban” badges. Below is a more detailed breakdown of what Plymouth made that model year, how the lineup shifted, and what engines and body styles were available.
Contents
1975 Plymouth lineup at a glance
The 1975 model year was a transition point for Plymouth, with the full-size nameplate moving to Gran Fury and the longtime Satellite name retired. Here are the core car lines buyers and fleets encountered in U.S. showrooms and order guides.
- Valiant (compact): Two- and four-door sedans and a station wagon; the bedrock of Plymouth’s compact offerings.
- Duster (compact fastback coupe): A sporty Valiant-based two-door, including the Duster 360 performance variant.
- Scamp (compact two-door hardtop): A pillarless Valiant variant aimed at buyers wanting a more formal two-door.
- Fury (intermediate): Two- and four-door models plus “Fury Suburban” wagons; the Road Runner performance/appearance package returned as an option on the Fury two-door.
- Gran Fury (full-size): Primarily a fleet/police C-body in the U.S. for 1975; more commonly sold retail in Canada.
Taken together, the 1975 lineup gave Plymouth coverage from compact to full-size segments, though full-size retail offerings in the U.S. were limited as Chrysler repositioned Plymouth’s big-car strategy.
Details by model
Valiant (and Valiant Wagon)
The Valiant remained Plymouth’s compact cornerstone, offered as a two-door and four-door sedan and as a station wagon. Trims ranged from basic to plusher Brougham treatments depending on market and equipment. The renowned 225-cubic-inch Slant Six was the volume engine, with the 318 V8 available for more power. For 1975, catalytic converters and unleaded fuel compatibility were part of the emissions-compliance story on most retail configurations.
Duster
Continuing as the sporty fastback offshoot of the Valiant, the 1975 Duster lineup included appearance packages and the Duster 360, which paired the lightweight A-body with Chrysler’s 360-cubic-inch V8. Buyers could select manual gearboxes (including a 4-speed on certain V8s) or the ubiquitous Torqueflite automatic. The Duster balanced rising emissions constraints with still-credible straight-line performance and youthful styling cues.
Scamp
The Scamp—essentially a Valiant two-door hardtop—catered to shoppers wanting a more formal roofline than the Duster’s fastback. It shared the Valiant’s powertrains (225 Slant Six, optional small-block V8s) and benefitted from the same 1975 emissions and safety updates. The Scamp offered an upscale look in a compact footprint.
Fury (intermediate)
For 1975, Plymouth shifted the Fury name to its intermediate B-body range, replacing the Satellite badge used in prior years. The Fury came as a two-door, a four-door, and as “Fury Suburban” station wagons. Trims varied by region and ordering, often including more luxurious “Salon” packages and sport-themed options. Engines typically spanned the 318 and 360 small-blocks up to the 400-cubic-inch big-block in better-equipped models, with a broad mix of comfort and towing options to suit family and fleet buyers.
Road Runner (Fury-based package)
The famed Road Runner returned for 1975 not as a standalone model but as a performance-and-appearance package on the Fury two-door. It featured unique graphics, suspension and handling upgrades, and V8 power (commonly 360 or 400 cubic inches, depending on emissions and market). While emissions rules tempered peak output compared with late-1960s glory years, the Road Runner package still delivered a sporty edge in Plymouth’s intermediate lineup.
Gran Fury (full-size, primarily fleet)
Replacing the prior full-size Fury in name, the 1975 Gran Fury rode on Chrysler’s C-body platform and, in the U.S., was aimed mainly at fleets and law enforcement. Most commonly seen as a four-door sedan (with police “Pursuit” packages available), the Gran Fury offered big-block power including the 400 and, in many police/fleet configurations, the 440. Retail availability was limited in the U.S. for 1975, though Canadian consumers saw broader retail offerings.
Body styles and wagons
Plymouth covered the primary passenger-car body styles in 1975, giving buyers choices from practical to sporty across the compact and intermediate classes.
- Coupes and hardtops: Duster fastback coupe; Scamp two-door hardtop; Fury two-door models (including the Road Runner package).
- Sedans: Valiant two- and four-door; Fury four-door; Gran Fury four-door (primarily fleet/police).
- Station wagons: Valiant wagon; Fury “Suburban” wagons on the intermediate platform (full-size Gran Fury wagons were limited and largely market-dependent).
This spread allowed Plymouth to meet demand for economy, family hauling, and sportier personal-use coupes without a standalone pony car (the Barracuda had ended after 1974).
Powertrains and emissions in 1975
Engines and transmissions reflected the mid-1970s push toward emissions compliance and fuel economy, with catalytic converters arriving across most retail applications.
- Engines: 225 Slant Six (volume compact engine); 318 V8; 360 V8 (including higher-output Duster 360 and Road Runner applications); 400 big-block V8 (Fury/Gran Fury); 440 big-block V8 commonly in police/fleet Gran Fury and some heavy-duty packages.
- Transmissions: 3-speed manual standard on many base models; 4-speed manual available with certain V8s (notably Duster 360 and some Road Runner-equipped Furys); 3-speed Torqueflite automatics (A904/A727) widely specified.
- Emissions and fuel: Most retail models used catalytic converters and required unleaded gasoline; tuning and compression were adjusted to meet 1975 federal standards.
While outright horsepower figures fell versus earlier years, Plymouth leveraged gearing, chassis tuning, and package content to maintain drivability and character across its lines.
What changed for 1975
The 1975 model year brought several notable shifts in Plymouth’s car strategy and branding, many of them responses to market conditions and regulations.
- Fury nameplate moved to the intermediate line, effectively replacing the Satellite.
- Gran Fury debuted as Plymouth’s full-size C-body, but in the U.S. it was focused on fleets and police rather than retail buyers.
- Road Runner continued as an option package (on Fury two-doors) rather than a standalone model.
- Expanded use of catalytic converters and unleaded fuel across most retail models.
- The Barracuda and prior full-size retail Furys had ended after 1974, narrowing the sporty and full-size retail footprint for 1975.
These changes positioned Plymouth to weather tightening emissions rules and shifting consumer tastes following the early-1970s fuel crises.
Quick reference: 1975 Plymouth cars (U.S.)
Here is a concise list of the Plymouth car nameplates and key packages available to U.S. buyers and fleets for the 1975 model year.
- Valiant (compact sedans and wagon)
- Duster (compact fastback coupe, including Duster 360)
- Scamp (compact two-door hardtop)
- Fury (intermediate two-door, four-door, and “Fury Suburban” wagons)
- Road Runner (performance/appearance package on Fury two-door)
- Gran Fury (full-size, primarily fleet/police in the U.S.)
Depending on region and ordering channel, trims and option packages varied, but these are the 1975 Plymouth car offerings most U.S. shoppers and fleets would have encountered.
Summary
In 1975, Plymouth built a compact-to-full-size car lineup centered on the Valiant (and its Duster and Scamp offshoots), the intermediate Fury (with Road Runner package), and the mostly fleet-focused full-size Gran Fury. With catalytic converters and unleaded fuel now the norm in retail cars, Plymouth balanced regulation-driven changes with familiar nameplates and body styles, keeping a foothold in economy, family, and performance-tinged segments despite a changing automotive landscape.
What was the most popular car in 1975?
The most popular car in the United States in 1975 was the Oldsmobile Cutlass, which sold over 324,000 units. The Ford Granada was the second best-seller, with nearly 291,000 units sold during its first full year on the market.
Here’s a breakdown of the top models for 1975 in the US:
- Oldsmobile Cutlass: The best-selling car of the year.
- Ford Granada: The second best-selling model, significant for its strong debut.
- Chevrolet Chevelle: Remained a popular choice, holding the third spot.
- Ford Pinto: The best-seller from the previous year, it dropped to fourth place.
- Chevrolet Monte Carlo: Another top performer, moving up in the rankings.
What cars did Plymouth make in the 70s and 80s?
Passenger cars
| Name | Year Introduced | Year Discontinued |
|---|---|---|
| Volaré | 1976 | 1980 |
| Arrow | 1976 | 1980 |
| Horizon | 1978 | 1990 |
| Sapporo | 1978 | 1983 |
What models did Plymouth make?
Plymouth models included:
- Plymouth Model 30U (1930)
- Plymouth Acclaim (1989–1995)
- Plymouth Arrow (1976–1980, rebadged Mitsubishi Lancer Celeste)
- Plymouth Arrow Truck (1979–1982, rebadged Mitsubishi Forte)
- Plymouth Barracuda (1964–1974)
- Plymouth Belvedere (1954–1970)
- Plymouth Breeze (1996–2000)
What cars did Plymouth make in 1974?
The main 1974 Plymouth passenger car models included the sporty Barracuda (in its final year), the compact Duster, the mid-size Satellite and its variants (like the Road Runner), and the full-size Fury and Gran Fury. Plymouth also offered the compact Valiant and its sub-models like the Scamp and the Duster’s base model. Additionally, there were different van models, such as the PB100, PB200, and PB300, and a utility vehicle known as the Trail Duster.
Key 1974 Plymouth Models
- Barracuda: The final year for this E-body model, available in hardtop and convertible styles.
- Cuda: A performance-oriented version of the Barracuda, sometimes referred to as the Barracuda itself.
- Duster: A best-selling model for 1974, known for its sporty styling and compact size.
- Duster 360: A high-performance Duster model that replaced the popular 340 in 1974, featuring a larger 360 V8 engine and dual exhausts.
- Fury / Gran Fury: The brand’s full-size cars, offered in various trim levels.
- Satellite: The mid-size car, available in several trims, including the Satellite Custom and Sebring.
- Road Runner: A performance-oriented version of the Satellite line.
- Valiant: The basis for the Duster, a compact car offered with different trims.
- Valiant Scamp: A sub-model of the Valiant.
- PB Van: Various commercial vans, including the PB100, PB200, and PB300 models.
- Trail Duster: A Plymouth model based on a utility vehicle, similar to the Dodge Ramcharger or Plymouth Barracuda’s sibling, the Plymouth Trail Duster.


