I know it's only an Omni, but...

I saw another Dodge Rampage today. Every once in awhile I see one in my area (maroon in and out) and I can't help thinking "why couldn't just one or two car companies "resurrect" this idea. I mean, BMW and Toyota in particular, seem to have even the smallest niches in the market covered. So why not a smallish pickup truck that has a nice car based "cab"? They have stopped building Solara coupes...at least for 2010, so how about it Toyota, why not combine a Solara and an Avensis to make a Japanese El Camino for the 21st century? Or BMW, build a German version of the Explorer Sport Trac? (On second thought, maybe not a BMW Sport Trac ....thingee.)

how about a Subaru Baja.....made up to 2006, I would call that modern.

Some of the answer is that the US places a 25% tariff (basically a tax) on any pickup who's final assembly location is not within the US.
This is commonly known as the "Chicken Tax."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicken_tax

Forget Toyota and BMW, let's fire up a Mopar-bet they and their new masters from pastaland could brew up something pretty cool.

Chev http://www.toomanycars.info/auto-blog/chevy-tornado-import-it/

VW: http://www.speedflux.com/volkswagen-saveiro-new-compact-pickup-truck-for-south-america/

Ford: http://image.minitruckinweb.com/f/truck-news/fords-mini-truck-still-sold-in-mexico/6670976+w640+cr1+re0+ar1/ford-courier.jpg

All available just south of the border, down Mexico way.

I wish Pontiac would have hung around long enough to bring the G8 sport truck to the US (or at least the G8 sport wagon.)

forzav12 wrote: Forget Toyota and BMW, let's fire up a Mopar-bet they and their new masters from pastaland could brew up something pretty cool.

This may be more appropriate in the ZAV threads but this is a variant of Fiat's rumoured replacement for the Sprinter.

It's a smallish detail, but my main problem with the Subaru Baja is the "extra" set of doors.

And about the Iveco ....thingee?

I guess I should also have said, since the Australians have done it quite often, I'm not crazy about "Clampettmobiles". That is, no cars with the back half "hacked off" and a platform installed for load carrying. I actually don't care that a Rampage has minimal load carrying abilities....I like the looks and that it COULD carry bulky items standing up.

BTW, on a recent trip from Tn. to Fl. and back, I did see a Sprinter based truck like the pictured Iveco truck and I also saw a Sprinter-based mini-motorhome. Sprinters are more than vans, they are used like the Ford and GM vans are used: as a starting point for other types of vehicles.

integraguy wrote: It's a smallish detail, but my main problem with the Subaru Baja is the "extra" set of doors.

Nothing that couldn't be fixed with a welder and some bondo....

Totally agree. Something like a Rampage would be an ideal vehicle for our household.

It's already being done, has since 1935; GM & Ford just won't let us have them.

Shipping would kill you:

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/VS-UTE-/300418919999?cmd=ViewItem&pt=AU_Cars&hash=item45f25cee3f

Pursuit Ute?

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Ford-AU-3-XR8-Pursuit-250-ute-Tickford-v8-T3-TE50-TS50-/190390192515?cmd=ViewItem&pt=AU_Cars&hash=item2c5423c983

Move it off the oil spot....

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/2003-BA-XR8-UTE-/140401401620?cmd=ViewItem&pt=AU_Cars&hash=item20b0935f14

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Hot-Rod-1946-Morris-Z-Roadster-Ute-/150437138588?cmd=ViewItem&pt=AU_Cars&hash=item2306c0909c

JeffHarbert wrote: Totally agree. Something like a Rampage would be an ideal vehicle for our household.

Ours too. This is the main reason I'm hanging on to my old Toyota pickup.

I used to look at the "utes" on E-Bay, and as has been pointed out: if it weren't for the huge cost of shipping one here".

The ute in the Desoto ad above looks my old...and UNLOVED Plymouth that has had a pickup bed installed in it. I've never understood why Chrysler used different names overseas on some cars. Tho, I guess it might have been an easier "sell" to name a Plymouth a Desoto since Plymouth is most commonly associated with an American colonial settlement.

Last night, on CL, I saw the Ranchero I've seen outside an independent tire repair shop in my area, for sale. $2200 for a '71 (not one of my favorite years of Ranchero) with a 351 and automatic isn't too bad.

GMC Envoy XUT was a sales bust. Maybe this concept has less of an actual sales potential than we think.

There are 3 or 4 XUTs that I've seen around my area. I've never seen any with the rear "top" open. Makes me wonder what went through the customers mind just before he signed the dotted line. "Gee, I can have an SUV with a sliding roof panel that I will never use, and it will only add $25 to every payment I'll ever make on this car....."

I guess I'm curious as to why no manufacturers want to combine the SPORTY good looks of a 2 door coupe and the utility (even marginal, in the case of the Rampage) into one package, but they can give us "things" like the BMW X6 M edition.

I can't help thinking "Why not just buy a rampage."

Seriously. Buy a car that's lighter, has berkeleying wicked, unique styling, probably weighs half of, and gets twice as good gas mileage as that hideous ponti-crap concept, and spend the 20 berkeleying grand you saved on hookers and blow. Or whatever floats your boat.

This thing is a turbo II motor and a set of swiss cheese wheels away from being perfect:

OR

Swap in a turbo 2.4 and run 10's:

PS: If you need an excuse to stab your berkeleying eyes out with red-hot butter knives, do a google images search for "Rampage Concept." Looks like a blind 4-year-old tried to draw a picture of a ridgeline.

The idea of a Rampage is cool, L-bodys arent really very good cars though, at least to drive everyday. I know someone with a 1.9 TD swapped VW caddy that is pretty cool though.

A friend of mine just got a caddy, and "TDI swap" were the first words out of my mouth, like some sort of retarded word association. How hard is that swap anyway?

Im guessing it will fit, becasue the 1.9 IDI the guy put in his is out of an MK3, and so is the first TDI. Fitting a tranny that the TDi wont explode would be an issue, along with getting the drive by wire throttle to work, etc, but it does fit. The 1.9 IDI from canada would be way easier though.

Each time I see this thread pop up I keep hearing The Stones singing "It's only and Omni but I like it, like it, yes I do."

poopshovel wrote: This thing is a turbo II motor and a set of swiss cheese wheels away from being perfect:

I agree completely.

And on a side note somebody in my area has a VW Caddy diesel with "stacks" sticking up out of the bed. They aren't the giant diameter stacks like the Power Stroke/Duramax/Cummins guys run. It looked like a pair of 2" exhaust pipes shooting straight up over the cab at least a couple feet with the turndowns pointing back. Ironically it kinda looked like TV rabbit ears.

-Rob

Speaking of rabbits, who wants to build a Rabbit GTI truck?

Why not just buy a Rampage?

Probably because they're as rare as hens teeth to find anymore. And if you do fine one, it's probably so beat down you'd still have to spend a ton of dough getting it in driveable shape.

-Rob

The idea of a Rampage is cool, L-bodys arent really very good cars though, at least to drive everyday. I know someone with a 1.9 TD swapped VW caddy that is pretty cool though.

Well assuming the early 80s 1.7 vw motor and the newer 1.9 td have similar bellhousings, there's no reason you couldnt swap one in.. since omnis actually came with a VW 1.7 back then.

Also, they ARE rare and hard to find.. but..last year i found and bought 5 for a GRAND TOTAL of $1500. It CAN be done.

I will try and find the pics of rampages in my yard and post them

Travis_K wrote: The idea of a Rampage is cool, L-bodys arent really very good cars though, at least to drive everyday. I know someone with a 1.9 TD swapped VW caddy that is pretty cool though.

Oh I don't know, I'd rock one daily and in fact I have until I sold it to a serviceman up north. Right now I'll be rocking the CSX as a daily until I can afford a Miata to play with or I finish the 924 ;)

Oh and I loved my Rampage, it was the most reliable L-body I'd ever owned (once I fixed the carb and shift linkage) plus it can haul a ton of stuff and with the stiff rear springs, lighter rear weight and longer wheelbase it actually works okay on the autox course.

I know of a turbo converted one with a Shelby Charger nose here in PDX, owner wants $1200 for it.