Plymouth Cars of the 1970s and 1980s: What They Built and How the Lineup Evolved

Plymouth’s 1970s lineup ranged from muscle and midsize nameplates like Barracuda, Road Runner, Satellite and Fury to compacts such as Valiant, Duster, Scamp and later Volaré, while the late decade added subcompacts and imports like Horizon, Colt, Arrow and Sapporo; in the 1980s, the brand pivoted to front‑wheel‑drive family cars and captive imports, led by Reliant, Horizon/Turismo, Gran Fury (M-body), Caravelle, Sapporo (early ’80s), Colt/Colt Vista, Conquest, and—late in the decade—Sundance and Acclaim. Below is a detailed, U.S.-market focused guide to the cars Plymouth sold in those two decades, plus brief notes on closely related variants and the market shifts that shaped them.

1970s: From Muscle to Malaise

As emissions rules tightened and fuel crises hit mid‑decade, Plymouth’s early‑’70s muscle and midsize cars gave way to lighter compacts and economy imports. The period opened with high‑profile performance models and ended with downsized, efficiency‑minded offerings.

Core U.S.-market car lineup (1970–1979)

The following list covers mainstream Plymouth cars sold in the United States during the 1970s, with model‑year ranges and brief context where helpful. Some nameplates overlapped as trims/packages shifted between platforms during the decade.

• Barracuda (1970–1974): E‑body pony car; performance variants marketed as ’Cuda.
• ’Cuda (1970–1974): High‑performance versions of Barracuda, including 340, 383, 440 and Hemi offerings.
• Road Runner (1970–1980): Performance‑oriented midsize; shifted from B‑body muscle to appearance/performance trims later in the decade.
• GTX (1970–1971; 1972–1974 as a Road Runner option package): Upmarket performance take on the B‑body platform.
• Satellite (1971–1974): Midsize line (including Sebring/Custom) that preceded the Fury name taking over Plymouth’s midsize slot for 1975.
• Fury (1970–1978, various series): Full‑size line (Fury I/II/III, Sport Fury); Gran Fury name used on the full‑size C‑body in 1975–1977.
• Valiant (1970–1976): Durable A‑body compact; sedans, wagons and the basis for Duster.
• Scamp (1971–1976): Valiant‑based 2‑door hardtop.
• Duster (1970–1976): Valiant‑based fastback compact; performance Duster 340 was a standout. “Duster” returned as a trim on Volaré in 1979–1980.
• Volaré (1976–1980): Compact/midsize replacement for Valiant; offered sporty Road Runner and Duster packages.
• Cricket (1971–1973): British‑built subcompact (Rootes/Chrysler UK captive import).
• Colt (1971–1974; 1976–1979): Mitsubishi‑sourced subcompact/compact across two generations.
• Arrow (1976–1980): Mitsubishi‑built compact hatch/coupe; performance and economy variants.
• Sapporo (1978–1979): Mitsubishi‑sourced personal‑luxury coupe (continued into early ’80s).
• Horizon (1978–1979): U.S.-built FWD subcompact hatch (twin to Dodge Omni), continued into the 1980s.

Taken together, the 1970s lineup shows Plymouth’s pivot from big‑engine B‑ and E‑body cars to compacts and captive imports, anticipating the front‑drive era to come.

Notable performance and special editions (1970s)

Plymouth’s performance identity peaked early in the decade, then lived on as appearance/performance packages as regulations and insurance costs reshaped the market.

• Hemi ’Cuda and 440 ’Cuda (1970–1971): Flagship Barracuda variants with big‑block power.
• AAR ’Cuda (1970): Trans‑Am homologation special with 340 Six‑Barrel and unique graphics.
• Road Runner Superbird (1970): Aerodynamic special with nose cone and high wing, built for NASCAR.
• Duster 340 (1970–1973): Lightweight compact with small‑block V8 performance.
• Volaré Road Runner and Duster (1976–1980): Appearance/performance packages keeping the names alive post‑muscle era.

While the pure muscle models ended by mid‑decade, these editions preserved Plymouth’s performance image through changing times.

1980s: Front‑wheel drive and the minivan era

In the 1980s, Plymouth leaned into efficient front‑wheel‑drive platforms, value pricing and captive imports, while keeping a traditional rear‑drive sedan for fleets. By decade’s end, all‑new compacts and mid‑sizers refreshed the range.

Core U.S.-market car lineup (1980–1989)

This list outlines the principal Plymouth cars sold in the United States during the 1980s, with model‑year spans. It reflects both legacy holdovers and the rapid transition to FWD architectures.

• Volaré (1980): Final model year of the ’70s compact/midsize.
• Horizon (1980–1990): FWD subcompact 5‑door hatch, a long‑running value staple.
• Horizon TC3 / Turismo (1980–1987): Sporty 3‑door derivatives of the Horizon (TC3 through 1982; renamed Turismo 1983–1987).
• Reliant (1981–1989): K‑car compact/midsize sedan, coupe and wagon that anchored Plymouth’s shift to FWD.
• Gran Fury (1982–1989): Traditional RWD M‑body sedan (sibling to Dodge Diplomat), popular with fleets and police.
• Sapporo (1980–1983): Mitsubishi‑built personal‑luxury coupe (final years).
• Champ (1980–1982): Mitsubishi‑sourced subcompact hatch; name later unified under Colt.
• Colt (1983–1989): Mitsubishi‑based subcompact/small compact line, including sporty GTS/Turbo variants in some years.
• Colt Vista (1983–1989): Tall‑roof, 5/7‑passenger compact wagon (Mitsubishi Chariot/Space Wagon).
• Conquest (1984–1989): Rear‑drive turbo performance hatch/coupe (Mitsubishi Starion twin).
• Caravelle (U.S., 1985–1988): FWD midsize sedan derived from Chrysler E/K platforms.
• Sundance (1987–1989): New FWD compact hatchback (P‑body), replacing Horizon in the lineup’s future planning.
• Acclaim (1989): New FWD midsize sedan (AA‑body), successor to Reliant/Caravelle into the 1990s.

These models illustrate Plymouth’s 1980s identity: practical FWD family cars, value‑focused imports, one rear‑drive holdout for fleets, and a handful of sporty offerings to broaden appeal.

Other Plymouth vehicles (not cars) offered alongside

Though the question is about cars, it’s worth noting the brand’s other U.S. vehicles that shaped showroom traffic in the same eras.

• Trail Duster (1974–1981): Two‑door SUV related to Dodge Ramcharger.
• Voyager full‑size vans (1974–1983): Passenger versions of Chrysler’s B‑vans.
• Voyager/Grand Voyager minivans (1984–1989): The pioneering FWD minivans that became Plymouth’s signature in the ’80s.

These trucks and vans—especially the minivans—were pivotal for Plymouth’s volume and brand identity, even as the car lineup evolved.

Why the lineup changed

Regulatory pressure (emissions, safety), fuel‑economy concerns after the 1973–74 and 1979 oil shocks, and shifting consumer tastes pushed Plymouth from large, V8‑powered muscle and full‑size cars toward lighter compacts and FWD platforms. Strategic partnerships with Mitsubishi supplied subcompacts and niche sporty coupes, while Chrysler’s K‑car architecture underpinned a generation of affordable family cars. By the late 1980s, Plymouth’s portfolio centered on value‑priced FWD cars and people movers, setting the stage for its 1990s offerings.

Summary

In the 1970s, Plymouth sold a broad spectrum—from Barracuda, Road Runner/GTX and Satellite/Fury to Valiant/Duster/Scamp and later Volaré, plus early imports like Cricket, Colt, Arrow, Sapporo and the new Horizon. In the 1980s, the brand pivoted decisively to FWD and value: Reliant, Horizon/Turismo, Caravelle, Sundance and Acclaim, supplemented by imports (Colt, Colt Vista, Sapporo), the turbo Conquest, and the fleet‑friendly Gran Fury. Together, these lineups trace Plymouth’s journey from muscle‑era icon to pragmatic, family‑focused marque.