The Plymouth Arrow

Note: The Plymouth Arrow is completely unrelated to the Sunbeam Arrow/Hillman Hunter, also known as the Plymouth Sunbeam Arrow. Additional Fire Arrow information and photos were added by George Hogue.

The Arrow began life in 1974 as an extension of the Mitsubishi Lancer lineup, known as the Lancer Celeste in Japan, and featured the same drivetrain and underpinnings in an attractive fastback body style.

Dodge had been importing the rear-wheel-drive Lancer, known stateside as the Dodge Colt, to the US since 1969. With fuel prices rising, a global fuel crisis, and with no small car available for sale after the Plymouth Cricket ceased to be imported in 1974, Chrysler re-badged the Lancer Celeste as the Plymouth Arrow (Dodge Arrow in Canada). The car was launched in North America as a 1976 model in September 1975.

Three hatchback models were in the original lineup: base models were equipped with the 1.4 or 1.6-liter "Silent Shaft" engine with a 4-speed manual transmission and wore "Arrow 140" and "Arrow 160" nameplates. A step-up GS model included special badges, striping and interior trim. A 3-speed automatic transmission was also available. The top-of-the line GT model included sport mirrors, a 5-speed manual transmission, sport seats, console, and special striping.

Jim Benjaminson wrote in the Plymouth Bulletin:

In 1976, Plymouth's import stable included its long-awaited Mitusbishi product. The Colt had been in Dodge's stable since 1971 when Chrysler answered the sub-compact challenge of Ford's Pinto and Chevy's Vega with captive imports. (Chrysler had purchased financial interest in Mitusbishi in 1971.) Dodge had an instant hit with its Japanese built Colt. Plymouth had gotten the short end of the deal when given the British-built Cricket.

When the plug was mercifully pulled on the Cricket in'73, observers assumed Plymouth would get its own version of the Colt. That's exactly what happened in Canada, but not stateside where Plymouth had to carry on with no subcompact offering. Finally, it was '76 and Plymouth had its Mitsubishi import. Rather than a version of the Colt, it was another single-body-style offering, a very attractive fastback coupe that offered a more sporting flair than Colt's hardtop. Called the Arrow, it fit in with Plymouth's Barracuda heritage with its roof line and folding rear seat.

It was said Mistubishi's stylists, as they were designing Arrow's progenitor, called the Celeste in Japan, were intrigued with the Bricklin. Look at Arrow's rear three-quarter view and you can see evidence of this fascination.

Sharing the Colt's drivetrain and chassis, the Arrow measured in with a 92.1-inch wheelbase, 4.2 inches less than its Dodge sibling. The engine choice was between the standard 1600 cc and optional 2000 cc overhead cam four-cylinder hemis. The smaller engine was available with four- or five-speed manual transmissions and an automatic. The standard four-speed was available only with the 1600 engine.

Arrow was available in three trim levels: 160, GS and GT. The GS, a $208 optional package on the 160, came with styled road wheels, flip-out rear windows, chrome bumpers, a woodtone instrument panel and carpeting in the cargo area.

The GT, with a base price of $3748 compared to the 160's $3175, was the premium model. It boasted all the GS features plus a console, a Rallye Cluster with a tachometer, a soft-trim steering wheel, an overhead console and exterior tape stripes.

Chrysler Canada gave the Arrow to Dodge dealers and the newly-redesigned Colt to Plymouth dealers. Both were the same car except for the nameplates. From 1973-75 the Cricket nameplate had been shifted to a version of the Colt for Canada's Plymouth dealers. A bit more than mere "badge engineering," it also involved unique grille and taillight trim. In its first year alone, Canada's Japanese Cricket doubled the sales of the British version. But once 1976 arrived, the Cricket name was gone for good.

1977: 2.0 engine option

The car soldiered on basically unchanged; a new 2.0-liter engine was added as an option on the GT and GS.

1978: restyling, Fire Arrow, 2.6 engine

There were styling upgrades for the Arrow, Arrow GS and Arrow GT lineup, with rectangular headlamps, a new grille, taillamps, and faired-in body color bumpers. An "Arrow Jet" package became available, with special graphics and a flat-black painted hood. New arrow-shaped graphics appeared on the GT version.

The new "Fire Arrow" was available with the 2.6-liter "MCA Jet" engine, white paint and special trim. It was hoped this version would appeal to young first-time buyers who were looking for sporty styling and performance upgrades. Road & Track magazine stated the Fire Arrow's 0-60 times to be 9.6 seconds (June 1979). The Fire Arrow was an addition to the Arrow GT package, with the 2.6 engine standard and four -wheel disc brakes, then unusual. For Fire Arrow specifications, click here.

The 1.4-liter engine was discontinued. The 2.6 engine included a "silent-shafts" feature incorporating counter-rotating balance shafts to reduce noise and vibration, a feature to be used in Chrysler's long-stroke 2.5 liter engine as well.

Plymouth Fire Arrow (1979)

1979: Plymouth Arrow pickup

A new companion Arrow pickup truck was introduced based on the Mitsubishi Mighty Max. The pickups were offered bright colors with bold stripes to emphasize their sporty character and relation to the Arrow automobiles. (Note: the Arrow pickup was sold through 1983).

In addition, the 2.6-liter engine replaced the 2.0-liter, which was discontinued, and the liftgate glass area was increased.

[Addition] The Arrow GT included all standard features, as well as dual mirrors, radials, flipper quarter windows, floor console, hood and rear deck striping, tachometer, heated rear window, and simulated woodgrain instrument panel. The standard engine was still the 1.6. The Arrow GS had bright chrome bumpers, flipper quarter windows, wheel lip mouldings, heated rear window, and simulated woodgrain instrument panel, with a slightly wider track.

1980: final year

The 1980 model year was the swan song for Plymouth's Arrow. Competition from other Japanese makes cannibalized sales of the Arrow, and it was discontinued at the end of the 1980 model year. The car did bring would-be Japanese car buyers into Plymouth stores for their "captive import."

Ironically, two cars were introduced in the late 70s to compete with the Arrow within Plymouth dealerships: A version of the all-new front wheel drive Dodge Colt known as the Champ, and the Sapporo, a mechanical cousin to the rear-drive Colt/Arrow. This may have spelled the beginning of the end for the Arrow, as the Champ had front-wheel drive and higher fuel economy at a similar price, while the Sapporo catered to a more luxury-conscious buyer. The Champ and Sapporo did not last long either, as North American sales of both cars ceased after 1983.

Plymouth Arrow Racing

Because of the car's aerodynamic profile, Arrows also were prominent in SCCA and Drag Racing, where Don Prudhome raced his "Arrow G-Whiz" to several wins. The car also appeared in Plymouth's print advertising.