1980 Plymouth Horizon TC3

The Dodge Omni and Plymouth Horizon cars are subcompact cars manufactured by Chrysler from the years 1977 to 1990. These models were re-imagined variants from the European Chrysler Horizon, becoming the first front wheel drive economy cars to be built in the United States. Similarly made for 11 years with very few changes, over 2.5 million Omnis and Horizons were both built with the Plymouth badged versions. These models were the first in the long line of front-wheel drive Chrysler products, paving the way for Chrysler minivans. Don't worry, these were not one of the Chrysler engines that were useless.

For consignment, a rust free 25,236 actual mile survivor in the form of a 1980 Horizon TC3, the 2nd of 3 years of production from Plymouth. This one is covered in white, has a rear spoiler and was the sporty look that the Mopar camp needed to stay relevant in an ever changing market. A nice interior and an all-original car with a recent oil change, carburetor servicing and a new fuel pump, all here and ready for the plucking.

Exterior
Some of the square and rectangle design mantra of the 1980's is beginning to appear on this car. A neoprene bumper leads the way with its integral louvered grille and flanking glass headlights. A thin chrome strip highlights the wedge shape of this bumper, meanwhile, marker lights are tucked down low just above a small black chin spoiler. All the body is bathed in white which wraps around the entire car and chrome is kept to a minimum, making appearances around the glass, covering the emblems and the door handles. A small spoiler is on back behind a greenhouse glass fastback, and a snappy badged rear bumper contains another thin chrome strip and black integral bumperettes just below the canted inward tail lights. 13-inch white painted wheels nicely surrounded by holes drilled strategically in line at the edges are wrapped in like new rubber all around.

Interior
Deep oxblood is noted throughout this interior, and for the doors it starts out with a bang with padded and stitched vinyl surrounded by deep red carpeting below and some applique accenting around the door lock and release. Slipping inside more oxblood vinyl with tuck and roll inserts surrounded by smooth bolsters are covering buckets upfront and a 2 plus 2 rear bench. Inside here, the square and rectangle design abounds with a square center console, black insert to the dash front and red molded vinyl surrounds which is crack free and not faded. The original stitched covered steering wheel is fronting this dash, and in the center within an applique band we note the factory AM/FM radio, temp buttons and sliders, and the simple glovebox. Deep red carpeting floods the floors and remains clean in the rear hatch storage area which can be expanded by folding down the rear seat. A red felted headliner is above and is sagging badly.

Drivetrain
Under the hood is the heart of the matter in a 1.7-liter 4-cylinder mill borrowed from the European Horizon. It sports a rebuilt Holley 2bbl carburetor and a 3-speed Torqueflite automatic transmission for reliable shifting. A 3.48 final drive put power to the ground.

Undercarriage
Metal with some patina and surface rust, but all structurally sound. It has all aged nicely and was obviously garage kept but driven in all weather conditions. The front suspension is made up of independent suspension and McPherson struts and for the back, more struts and coil springs. Disc brakes are upfront and drums for the rear and a stock exhaust is on and remains solid. Plenty of smooth solid seams and straight metal.

Drive-Ability
I was out of the office the day of this drive getting my weekly pedicure so I let my crack decoder and partner in crime take the wheel as he spent many a mile riding in the passenger seat of the Dodge brethren to this Plymouth during his high school years. He reported back that this car started quickly and off to the test track where it performed as it should, adequate acceleration, good handling and bias free panic stopping. The AC proved to only blow warm and the horn button would stick and toot on its own. All else was just fine.

Unlike the Camaro or Mustang, this TC3 offered up a sporty 2 plus 2 sports car with good looks AND good gas mileage, which the others could not match. It had its niche, and endured a 3 year run before being renamed the Turismo, this car being part of the offering which was based on the venerable K car chassis. The car that saved Chrysler....Thanks Mr. Iacocca!

Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 650 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.