Junkyard Find: 1992 Dodge Colt Hatchback

Chrysler began selling Mitsubishi Colt Galants with Dodge badging in North America all the way back in 1971, and the Colt stayed available here for nearly a quarter-century after that. Here's one of the very last Dodge Colt hatchbacks Americans could buy, found in a Denver-area self-service yard last year.

Apr 14, 2025 - 15:09

Junkyard Find: 1992 Dodge Colt Hatchback

Chrysler began selling Mitsubishi Colt Galants with Dodge badging in North America all the way back in 1971, and the Colt stayed available here for nearly a quarter-century after that. Here's one of the very last Dodge Colt hatchbacks Americans could buy, found in a Denver-area self-service yard last year. junkyard find 1992 dodge colt hatchback

1992 was the final model year for the sixth-generation Colt. The seventh-generation Colt was available in coupe and sedan form only and its final model year was 1994. junkyard find 1992 dodge colt hatchback

Starting with the 1979 model year, a Plymouth-badged version of the Colt (by then a front-wheel-drive car based on the Mitsubishi Mirage) became available. Through 1981, it was badged as the Champ, then became the Plymouth Colt until the end. junkyard find 1992 dodge colt hatchback

North American car shoppers could get versions of this car from four different marques in 1992: Dodge Colt, Plymouth Colt, Eagle Summit and Mitsubishi Mirage. The Mirage and Summit remained available through 1996, two years after the Neon replaced the Colt at Dodge and Plymouth dealers. junkyard find 1992 dodge colt hatchback

Turbocharging was no longer available in the US-market Colt/Mirage by 1992 (the Mirage Turbo held on until 1991). For 1992, the base Colt got this SOHC 1.5-liter rated at 92 horsepower and 93 pound-feet. junkyard find 1992 dodge colt hatchback

The higher 1992 Colt trim levels received a 1.8-liter DOHC engine with 113 horses, junkyard find 1992 dodge colt hatchback

This being a base car with few options, it has the El Cheapo™ grade four-speed manual transmission. Not many cars could be purchased with four-on-the-floor manuals by the early 1990s; the final holdout was the 1996 Toyota Tercel. junkyard find 1992 dodge colt hatchback

This car doesn't have air conditioning, and the block-off plate for the A/C switch appears designed to taunt the car's owner for being a cheapskate. junkyard find 1992 dodge colt hatchback

At least it has pinstripes and a right-side mirror. junkyard find 1992 dodge colt hatchback

But who got the last laugh here? Nearly 200,000 miles of affordable driving out of a no-frills Mitsubishi is doing well. junkyard find 1992 dodge colt hatchback

It got a new timing belt in 2020, then drove another 11,000 miles. junkyard find 1992 dodge colt hatchback

1992 Dodge Colt in Colorado wrecking yard. junkyard find 1992 dodge colt hatchback

1992 Dodge Colt in Colorado wrecking yard.

[Images: The Author]

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