Welcome to the very first “Modelo En Bofus” post at thunderjeheaven.com! For the launch of this “column” I’m putting the spotlight on an oddity of the domestic industry from the early 1980s, one which, despite its short span in the marketplace, still managed to become the subject of a Hot Wheels model…one that has received not one but 2 new leases on life, and still lives on today!
Like so many vehicles made by American manufacturers in the aftermath of the golden era, the 1982-’84 Dodge Rampage was a “2/3 car:” a good idea, born of sincerity, and shot down by poor execution. Looking at it today, it seems quite obvious that the Rampage was an excellent concept: a small, lightweight, unibody front wheel drive pick-up truck that was fuel efficient and easy to drive, but had a surprisingly large payload, and could be used for hauling cargo as well as 1 passenger. This was an idea almost identical to the Volkswagen Caddy, released a couple of years earlier than the Rampage. In hindsight. it seems like both vehicles should have done better in the marketplace than they did.
Perhaps we can say that the market of the time just wasn’t ready for vehicles like these, and that’s largely true. Sadly, despite its cool concept, the Rampage had a couple of other shortcomings. Sharing a platform and mechanicals with the Dodge Omni hatchback sedan and it’s “sporty” variant the Omni 024 (which remarkably was also the subject of a Hot Wheels model!), the Rampage was powered by Chrysler’s 2.2 L 4-banger, an unrefined and noisy engine which, in its early years, developed a reputation for blowing head gaskets. It wasn’t a total PoS; aside than the head gasket issue the 2.2 was fairly durable and easy and cheap to maintain, and it took well to turbocharging, with slightly larger (2.5L) and boosted variants that came later quite a bit more powerful. In the Rampage, however, it was another example of a merely “adequate” powerplant that compared poorly to the much smoother and more reliable Japanese 4-bangers of the day.
Initially in its 1982 release, the Rampage suffered from the unfortunate front-end styling that it also shared with the Omni O24, featuring goofy oversized dual square headlamps flanking a grille-less slatted panel similar to the Gen II Chevy Vega (It was also very similar in appearance to another forgotten oddity of its same era: the Ford Escort XP2. Now, there would be an interesting subject for 1:64 diecast!) Fortunately, 1984 went to quad headlights and a more proper grill, greatly improving the vehicle’s appearance. More importantly, the 1984 version brought the availability of a desperately needed five speed manual transmission to replace the inadequate 4-speed of the earlier models, although the optional three speed automatic was unchanged throughout the production run. With the 5-speed and a surprisingly useful 6-foot bed, it boasted an impressive payload for its size — over 1100 lbs — and returned excellent fuel economy, important during a time of rising gas prices.
Unfortunately, the Rampage never found a large audience. Americans wanted real, rugged pickups or hot little coupes — and this strange blend of the two simply didn’t click in the market. Production lasted from 1982 to 1984, and just over 37,000 were made, an extremely low production figure for the massive American industry in this era, and likely only a fraction of what Chrysler wanted and expected. As a result, the Rampage was quietly consigned to history after the 1984 model year.
Thanks to corrosion and neglect, they are very thin on the ground today! The Rampage is now a rare collector’s item with a small but passionate base of enthusiasts who are convinced it was a good vehicle that arrived at the wrong time. Chances are they’re right; like a compact version of the Ford Ranchero and Chevy El Camino, the Rampage was a niche car when it was new and its a niche car today: it still seems like an oddity! Rampages are cult favorites among Mopar fans. They’re beloved for their oddball charm, and potential as race-prepped autocross toys or turbo swap candidates. Like most mid 80’s front drivers, it isn’t beautiful or sexy, but it is interesting…and that’s more than you can say about most of today’s utility vehicles!
Give credit to Mattel for picking up on the appeal of the Rampage, for they released their first casting of this car in 1984 as part of their original Real Riders line. The casting, designed by Larry Wood, featured:
- Bright red paint with bold stripes
- “2.2” callouts on the hood
- Real rubber tires
- And — perhaps most memorably — a small ATV molded into the bed, a fun nod to the Rampage’s “weekend warrior” potential.
This version ran in 1984–1986 and today is a highly sought-after collectible, especially early Hong Kong versions with gray hubs and the ultra-rare Mexican variant with white interior, highly prized by collectors.
Fast forward to 2012 — designer Mark Jones revived the Rampage in die-cast form. This time around it got the hot rod treatment, complete with:
- Aggressive widebody flares
- Racing side exhausts
- Bed-mounted spare tire and fuel cell
- Full roll cage
- Deep-dish wheels
Since then, this modern Hot Wheels Rampage has appeared in multiple series:
- 2012 “The Hot Ones” “Nostalia Series” debut
- 2013 HW Showroom – Hot Trucks (blue Mopar livery)
- 2014 and 2015 HW Off-Road variants
In 2021 the Rampage was released again, looking similar to the 2014 retool but with some additional changes, most notably that the classic ATV 3-wheeler was flipped around and now faced forward rather than backward. This version was slightly enlarged from previous releases and is still in production today!
The original 1984 version feels like a slice of 1980s car culture, while the newer casting imagines what a full-on Rampage track toy might look like today. The Hot Wheels Dodge Rampage is a perfect example of the kind of vehicle that flies under the radar but delights when rediscovered. Whether you grab the OG Real Riders version for your vintage display, or the modern fantasy build for your Hot Trucks lineup, it’s a Mopar oddity worth having in your collection. As you can see, there’s one right there on Bear Valley Road driving past the parking lot of Drag City, its driver headed north to the inland recreation area, no doubt ready to unleash that Honda ATV on an unsuspecting California wildnerness! Like so many Hot Wheels, its an awesome remembrance of things past!
We had oft talked about if any of the 80’s cars would become “classics” or collectible. I had a pretty firm stance that wouldn’t be the case but now, I’m starting to think I may have been wrong, at least to a degree. Certainly not classics to the extent of the Mustang or the tri five Chevy’s but more and more I see a kookie sort of charm (laced with a heavy dose of nostalgia) with some of those cars. I had read about collectors in Russia who collect and love the old Soviet made era cars. It would seem there is indeed something for everyone. There is certainly someone at Mattel who I’d like to meet, the one who chooses these cars to replicate. The knee jerk reaction is “why” but after thought, the reason is clear, someone has good memories of this car and the times perhaps they had with it. In a lot of ways, it makes in endearing. This is a great history and post! Thanks Bud!