Chrysler did pretty well selling Mitsubishi-derived products in North America, but the only platform from their European operations that was a hit over here was the Simca-based Omnirizon. These cars had a lengthy production run and you still see a fair number in wrecking yards these days; in this series so far, we've had this '78 Horizon, this '83 Dodge Rampage Prospector, this '84 Turismo, this '85 Shelby Charger, this '86 Omni, and this this Shelby-ized '86 Omni GLH. I'd really like to find a final-year-of-production 1990 model Omnirizon, but so far this '87 is the newest example I've seen in the wrecking yard.
Most European and Japanese cars of this era had gone to six-digit odometers, but Detroit stuck with five-digit tradition until the 1990s.
The Omnirizon could be had with a Simca 1.6, a Volkswagen 1.7, or the Chrysler 2.2 originally developed for the K-car platform. By 1987, the 2.2 was the only engine available in these cars.
This one appears to be pretty well optioned. Automatic transmission, to siphon away some of those 96 Chrysler horses.
Air conditioning on a mid-80s econobox is an uncommon sight.
The factory digital AM/FM radio probably pushed the out-the-door price of this car well into Aries-K territory, but how else could the buyer listen to the greatest hits of 1987?
The Sentra, Civic, and Corolla (not to mention the Excel) were really stomping sales of Detroit subcompacts by 1987, but the Omnirizon (and the newly-acquired-from-AMC Jeep line) helped improve Chrysler's bottom line a bit.
The pride is back!
As you're reading this, three of your beloved TTAC writers are participating in the 24 Hours of LeMons race at MSR Houston. Sajeev and I are judging, Jack is racing. This one runs a straight 24 hours. What could possibly go wrong? 
from The Truth About Cars http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com
Put the internet to work for you.
No comments:
Post a Comment