Vehicle Description
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.
