1972 Dodge Colt

[@edged51va]

The first car I owned was a yellow 1972 Dodge Colt with manual transmission. Got it the summer before my senior year in college and drove it for 14 years. Enjoyed every minute of drive time.

[@markbartlett6287]

Back in '79, when I was sixteen, my dad bought a '72 Colt coupe with the 4-speed from a local farmer. It wouldn't idle unless you kept your foot on the gas, so operating the clutch was a challenge. I did my first real shade tree mechanic stuff while fixing various issues with it (putting new strut cartridges in it with only a vise-grip and two crescent wrenches was a job for the ages) and I drove it all through high school. After that, my little sister drove it in high school, then took it to college with her. My kid brother got it after that, but ended up totaling it while not paying attention to a red light. It was super fun to drive and actually had enough ground clearance to go off-roading as long as the trails didn't get too steep. Due to its lack of a B-pillar, you could easily hop in and out without opening the doors - Dukes of Hazzard style. It put up with a lot of abuse and just kept on going. A great little car.

[@klausphx]

We have Similar Dodge Colt Roots and we are same age Small World

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Thank you for the very kind words and I'm glad to hear that you enjoyed the video! I'm glad I could help bring back some fond car memories too. Have a good one!

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Thanks Joe and everyone is entitled to their opinion. There is no denying the importance of the car and in its time it was very stylish. It's not everyone's cup of tea, but you have to appreciate it in its time and context.

[@planetstupider502]

My dads first car. It was a brand new 71 Colt in Sunburst yellow. 100hp automatic 2 door coupe. At the time i was 10 years old and disappointed that he didnt go for an american car such as the Chevy Nova, Dodge Dart, Plymouth Duster ,and AMC Rebel which were some of the cars he was looking at. Looking back now i begin to appreciate his decision. it is a handsome little car even though it was weird to buy a car that small back then. The back seat was shared by me and 2 sisters so it was pretty cramped. I kind of miss those days. we were a close family with fond memories. RIP mom and pop. i miss you both.

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Thank you! You and Nate may be a few of the only folks in the world with those!

[@joshlusco8257]

a forgotten classic I like the simplicity of this car and the care this man put into preserving a part of seventies automotive history.

[@tmvkaiser]

This was my first car, bought from my mom in 1978. Thanks for this post - it brings back so many memories!

[@patriciawright8136]

This was my first car exactly the same color. I owned it in 1979. I loved this car. I'm so happy to see it.

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Thank you for the kind words and I'm glad you enjoy the videos!

[@TomsTurboGarage]

I agree! It's really cool in person.

[@deadchewie]

My brother and I each bought new 1972's in Dec. 71. I have own and built dozens of performance cars in the years since,but this was always one of my favorites.

[@Billjpb19]

My dad still has the original mitsubishi version 4-door. I love the sound of the engine. He use to drag race with it. It's an awesome car. We just need to fix it and upgrade the engine now since it's been sitting in the garage too long. The car was really built for racing.

[@LilSpooky6666]

I'm getting my first car which is a mitsubishi 74 would you bother to help me out with the car through ig? @fbepullover

[@johngrieveson2070]

this was my mother only car. she bought it brand new and lasted for @ 12 years. seeing this video made me feel like a child again. cannot understand how well the vinyl interior has survived!

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Thank you Kasey and I'm glad you enjoy the videos! I've got lots of fun stuff coming up for you to check out and I appreciate the suggestions too. See ya!

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Thank you and I agree! I believe it is all original, but Nate has done lots of work to keep it in good, original condition. Glad you enjoyed the video!

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Thank you Cody, I'm glad you enjoyed it! I'll be on the lookout for other neat cars to video.

[@bboyrsa7594]

My dad still has his Colt 1.6 2door- Right hand drive in South Africa. Learned how to drive with that car, very special!

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Thank you and I'm glad you liked the video! I appreciate the great suggestion too, I love Galant VR-4s.

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Yes, I still have the IS-F. You can see a sneak peek of it at the beginning of the video, and that was just shot a couple days ago.

[@adagre]

Always admired the roots of it all. I had an 89 Colt 100 DL, 1.6 Turbo SOHC. Which has led me to DSMs and my daily 12' Lancer Ralliart. Great video!

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Thank you and I'm glad you liked it!

[@johndelta00]

With youtube channels like this becoming more common I may never need to turn on a television again, good work.

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Hello Denmark! Thank you for the kind words and I'm glad you enjoyed the video! I'll definitely do more like this in the future.

[@TomsTurboGarage]

I'm glad you liked the video, I'll be keeping my eye out for other interesting cars to film.

[@pgrens]

An excellent feature on a rare but pivotal car. Thanks again, Tom, and keep 'em coming! I'll definitely keep watching!

[@faithinverity8523]

I had one from 78 to 84. Needed periodic work. Not expensive. Super fun to drive. My favorite car.

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Thank you for the kind words and I'm glad you enjoy them!

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Thank you for saying that, will do!

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Thank you! You may've seen this, but there is a SRT-4 swapped one here on KZbin.

[@metalmoto]

My first car was 77 Colt coupe, with a 4 speed manual trans. It eventually threw a rod with 177,000 miles on it. Yes, it was the original engine! You forgot to mention these were rear wheel drive cars. It was little and tight inside. You would be bumping elbows with your passenger. It was great for parking in the city, it would fit in the smallest of places. One last thought...Even after it threw the rod bearing, it still kept running. No oil pressure, but it got me home. Great memories,thanks

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Thanks William, glad you liked it!

[@TomsTurboGarage]

You're very welcome and I'm glad you liked it!

[@TomsTurboGarage]

It's just a very well taken care of car. As for used parts, just get on the forums and patiently begin looking and asking around!

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Thank you, glad you liked it!

[@wa1ufo]

I forget the year but the Dodge Colt was my first car. That little 4 banger was incredible.

[@quintoncoert7806]

We had one when I was a child. Best little thing ever made.

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Thank you, will do!

[@powerwagon3731]

Nice narration, a girl I dated in the early eighties had one. Thanks for the great memories!

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Thank you for the great compliment, I totally agree and watch very little television these days.

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Thank you for the kind words, will do!

[@patriciawright8136]

This was my first car in 1978! I loved this car

[@MetalTeamster]

Tom, you have an excellent narrator voice and manner. Very nice vid. I owned one of these in a 1972 brown 4 door version in 1988-1990. Got it with 90,000 orig miles, drove it as a distance commuter . Very reliable and simple. Right at 28-29 mpg at 60 mph. I miss it to this day, this vid brings back 2 years worth of commuting memories. Thanks.

[@TomsTurboGarage]

It's a neat car in person for sure!

[@TomsTurboGarage]

I hope to in the next couple weeks. Been too busy lately.

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Thanks and will do!

[@kameliore]

I learned how to drive on one of these. My Dad still has it around, it does not run though. I made beautiful memories in this car.

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Haha, I know the feeling! I feel like if I don't check my KZbin subscription feed for a few days, I miss everything.

[@virgilbennett8519]

Love this video--love this car. I had a 1971 Colt 2dr hardtop just like this one--same color and everything. Sweetest shifting factory 4 speed--never missed a gear, After getting out of the Army, I put a tuned header on the car, low restriction exhaust, dyno-tuned (rejetted Mikuni carb and recurved ignition). With this combo beat a '73 350 V8 Firebird in a drag.

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Thank you Virgil, I'm glad you enjoyed the video! Thanks for sharing your story too!

[@f.mbarnabythelatest6068]

had a 76 very fun taking country road cormers at 60+ in such a small car...road sailing

[@68lincoln]

Great little 70s Dodge import. I remember them very well. Excellent body styling. Clean, sleek interior design (not bulky like interiors of today's cars) and a true size steering wheel (why is it today that every new car has such a tiny and uncomfortably thick steering wheel). I believe the Dodge Colt got something like 30 mpg highway. On the 1977-82 TV drama series "Lou Grant" he drove a 1972 Dodge Colt sedan. If I ever find a 1971 to 1977 Colt wagon for sale I am going to buy it ASAP (and keep it as reasonably stock as possible). Early Dodge Colt ads stated: "FOR A LITTLE CAR, IT'S A LOT OF CAR". Very true.

[@marka2555]

Great little cars. i got a sedan as my first car and later bought a wagon model, because i got it for $400. And I can say they were tough little cars, both cars had been driven across the Arizona desert roads as fast as they would go and jumped a few times and driven down washes. When I got the sedan, someone had installed a Weber carb and headers on the thing. Thanks for showing this nice car, Tom

[@TomsTurboGarage]

You're welcome sir and thanks for sharing your experience with them! Love the thought of them jumping in the desert! :-D

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Cool, thanks for sharing that! It is definitely tight inside there. Regarding the drivetrain, I did mention that the power gets sent back to a live rear axle. Glad you enjoyed the video!

[@robinwallace4027]

My wife and I traded in her '69 Dodge Dart for a '72 Colt with the Sunset orange paint. We loved it. I had orders to go the Canal Zone for 42 months. i thought I would not be able to get parts for it so I traded it in on a '74 Dodge Dart SS. Got to Panama and found Colts all over the place. I loved that Colt.

[@rattyratstuff7125]

just got a 78 a week ago. galant trim with the crest on seats. was meant as a temp daily till daily 86 is done{itb andmaybe turbo} and after driving it for a week ive started saving to mod with 1972 head, ported and polished, dual carbs and 2.0 modified crank. already mean as hell for a 1.6 with webber down draft

[@papalums]

My dad used to own a 4 door sedan Dodge Colt it was nice and bring back those good childhood memories! nice video!!!

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@ginopunsalan]

This video brings me back years. My dad had a red Dodge Colt. I grew up with this car.

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Good deal Gino!

[@pedroangelvelezmelendez5494]

Si yo tengo un Dodge Colt 1974, y corre bien.

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Thank you and I agree!

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Thanks man, will do!

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Thanks man, I agree!

[@joanmorgan-whitehead1980]

This was my first car. I absolutely loved it, & have fond memories of those years with my cute little car.

[@klausphx]

When I was 16 back in 1980 my Dad gave me this 1972 Red Dodge Colt he bought from a Customer for 200 bucks when she threw a rod threw block my dad had a Automotive shop I Started working and Driving cars when I was 14. My friends in California had Tricked out Datsun 510s and Toyota Celicas so I Tricked out 72 Dodge Colt when i was 16-20 did work myself and back than you could buy a lot of Colt High Perf Parts from Mopar High Perf Parts Catalog and Order from Dodge Dealer. Lowered the Colt with Mitsubishi Race Springs, KYB Rally Struts & Shocks Car came with Aluminum Mag Wheels Installed BFG Radial TA Tires, Fabricated by hand Front n Rear Steel Flared Fenders, Swapped out the Auto Transmission was on its last leg for 5- speed manual Trans got everything I could from wrecking Yard to Convert that was a Bitch to Figure out at 1st Cars made with A/T didnt have Tube Installed the Firewand for Clutch Cable had to fabricate Clutch Cable Tube that Attaches to Firewall Steel Plate 4"x4".060 thick 4' Tube length 1" I.D Cut Tube one End 45 Degree angle Welded it to the Plate Than Drilled Holes Threw Plate and Firewall Bolted it Together Attached Cable worked Better and Stronger than Factory and Trans Mount Crossmember to Frame Holes Had to Drill Holes Uni Body Frame Than I Rebuilt 1.6 Mitsubishi Hemi Engine with Special Mitsubishi High Perf Camshaft Isky Dual Valve Springs Stellite Exhaust Valves, New Pistons, Bearings Installed 1 Weber 45 DCOE side draft Carb had to wait 6 months for Intake Manifold to be Made seemed like took forever and when i Got it had No Instructions Couple 1/4 " rods 6-8 " long Couple Heim Joints that was it So Used 2 MGB Choke and Accelerator Cables and Fabricate Bracket for Accell Cable, Installed Single Reservoir Brake Master Cylinder from Early Datsun so Clear Carb and K&N Air Filter Brakes worked Good in Fact the Front Calipers Dual Piston Fixed Calipers those were Best Front Brake Calipers on a Japanese car Rebuilt those too new Metallic Pads and Rotors, All New, Exhaust System Pace Setter Header 2 1/2" Exhaust and Turbo Muffler, Mallory Dual point Distributor Centrifugal Advance, Bosch Red Coil, NGK Wires n Plugs The Engine ran real Good when Accelerating you could hear a lot of Air going into that Big Side Draft Carb, Car handled pretty good Drove it a lot on Hwy 9 San Jose to Santa Cruz, Sold the Colt to a friend in 85 in Phx Az Couple years later Dip Shit Lost it in a Turn Drove it threw a Brick Wall and Totalled it. My Younger Brother had 76 Colt 2dr 1.6 engine with Dual Down Draft Webers. in 1985 my Brother and I Bought Couple 2nd gen 76-78 Trans-Am 455 M/T and Later early 90s Bought 92 Vette Convertible LT1 W/Super Charger 6sp m/t went from 130 HP 4 cyl Japanese Engines to 500HP Chevy & Pontiac V8s. Looking Back 35 years ago and Now! their getting a lot of H.P out of these Japanese Engines with the Help of Turbo Kits and Etc Nothing to Spend 10k on Japanese 4 or 6 cylinder Engine High Perf Parts these days but Down side on Small Engines their Pushed to the Extreme Envelope and can have Short Life Span or Grenade Lol I guess my Brother and I Not Knowing at the Time were part of the Start of the Hi Perf Japanese Car Fab in California and almost 40 years have past since than we are Established Master Mechanics I Still have Trans-Am n Vette over past Decades we Learned a lot about Aftermarket High Perf Parts B.S. and applied the Knowledge and Skill to Customers American German Japanese, Sport-Muscle Cars all in all we had good memories Fixing up n Driving those Colt's it was a good stepping Stone

[@akishot6735]

Klaus Schreyer wow quite the story!

[@PhilAVega]

Poor Lil Colt. I dig your story.

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Agreed! Thanks for sharing the station wagon story, I want to see more woodgrain siding these days!

[@TomsTurboGarage]

You're welcome! I remember seeing one way back in the early 90s, but I wasn't aware of the Mitsubishi connection, or any of the other cool history of it.

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Hi Chester, I love the IS-F the way it is in stock form. I did do a little exhaust mod, but that's it, I swear! :-) That said, it will be showing up in a future video.

[@TJT153]

im super glad i have a 1971 dodge colt on my driveway !

[@jd440]

I need to find another one. I have a 76 wagon. It was blue, black bucket seats, had a dash that resembled something you see in a 70-74 challenger, which is what appealed to me. It was an automatic too.. True barn find. Bought it from a friend in college for 40.00. needed a tune up, new master cylinder, and battery. Car started right up. Got it home, did an engine flush, coolant frush, etc. Played with timing and carburator adjustments. Ran so much better. Id like to find a coupe, and modify it and do drag week and a few other drag and drive events.

[@ninobustos8410]

Awesome video. Ending was pretty good! Thank you!

[@LjoelB]

Would love to see a 1974 Colt 4 door. It was my first car and great memories!

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Thank you Jeffrey! I've seen a few and it definitely makes for a fun and really fast setup.

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Many cars came that way back then.

[@christopherhudson9677]

Awesome! My mom and dad had one, when I was a young boy. It was green thou with flame stickers on the rear side windows. lol.

[@deets_]

My first car here in Australia was a 1972 Chrysler Galant 4 door Auto with the Saturn 4G32 engine, it was seized when I got it and did a full rebuild with 40 thou over pistons, extractors and rebuilt Solex Carb, went well but had constant issues with blowing headgaskets, ended up scraping the whole thing, as I had poured way too much cash into it as a 18-19 year old.

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Hi Terry! You'll have to stay tuned! :-D Definitely more DSM/Mitsu goodness coming soon.

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Haha, thanks Justin! I've got tons of footage, just trying to catch up and get to editing. Life has been very hectic lately.

[@Coltary716]

I have two 1978 deluxe coupe white on white with red vinyl top, red carpet and the red strips down the sides.. On my first one, I swap out the motor and put a 1980 3tc 1.8 toyota motor. Still own both been With me for many many years. Awesome.

[@eviljoe4873]

My brother and I are restoring his 1975 Chrysler Galant (our Australian version) and Ive got to say its an awesome little thing. Suprisingly we could still find a whole catalogue of parts for it! We did however have to buy them from the states. Now we just have to figure out how to cram in the 4G63 turbo and we're done

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Great to hear Marty! Sounds like a great project and please share some pics or video!

[@johngault3973]

Had a 71, Ticked off my Dad with the purchase (Pearl harbor memories) plus I could have gotten a Dart for less. Ordered the road race suspension from Bob Checkly at Mopar Performance and cleaned up both on Woodward and the autocross courses around Metro Detroit. Sold it, bought it back, wore it out at 300,000 miles. Sold the shell to a pro Rally racer to rebody his wifes racer who proceeded to roll the car into a ball-it went out fighting!

[@balki79]

Great video, love how the car looks fully stock even with the upgrades. That's someone who truly loves cars for what they are!

[@Omy1975]

My first car was a1973 Dodge Colt Sedan. I was16 years old back then. So many memories. I then traded it for a yellow 1973 Dodge Colt Coupe. The coupe was so much better looking. I would love to get a 73 coupe, but it's a long shot.

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Thanks and I love all types of cars! Gotta give the NAs some love now and then.

[@Marcus2750-u1t]

I'm a big Mitsubishi fan tom owning a 2g eclipse myself I loved this video as I really enjoy all your videos! Thanks for taking me back in time! Very cool car I wouldn't change a thing about it.

[@TomsTurboGarage]

No, I still have it. I drove it today in fact!

[@TomsTurboGarage]

I agree!

[@marcperras9072]

In 1979 I bought a 72 Colt as a parts car. I pulled the engine to replace the blown motor in my 74 Cricket. I junked the rest of the car. The Colt engine felt more powerful than the old motor. Watching this video explains why. The 72 model year had a lot more horsepower than the 74s.

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Thank you!

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Good luck and be sure to look it over really good!

[@johngault3973]

Bought a 71 when they came out, was working at a Dodge dealer in parts so had access to Bob Checkley at Chrysler and got the part numbers for the road race suspension, a mechanic friend at the dealer installed it for me, rear springs had a reverse arch until the gas shocks (that looked like they belonged to an earth mover!)Long story shortened-in 74 my friend Roy Schwarz had the car and won two autocross titles with the Detroit SCCA by running half the season on street tires and the second half on race tires. The cars final life came as a replacement body for a Pro-rally Colt (1st outing got rolled into a ball:( )

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Great story John, thank you for sharing that! Hate to hear the sad ending, but it least it went out in a thrilling way!

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Sounds great Jack, I wonder where it is now?

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Thank you and I feel the same way! Enjoy your Ralliart, I love those!

[@larrymelroy5687]

I had one of these in the early 80s was the second car I had when I was 16 was a great car

[@oldcolt3]

A very nice Colt. My 1973 2DRHT has 28,000 original miles. Great vid!

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Thank you and that sounds like a great car! Enjoy it!

[@larrymelroy5687]

I learned to drive a manual in one we had a 1972 colt had a lot of fun in that car

[@dirandamith]

This is called eight lights(rear) Galant in my country. But I had the Ten lights 1974 model better interior and four doors. Incredible handling robust car with metal timing chain and comfortable ride too. Really enjoyed it for 14 years even though I had new car at home. Its a pity that Mitsu does not make such legendary cars now.

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Thank you for the recommendation, I'll definitely check this out!

[@JDMAnimation]

I have a 74 Colt wagon and I love it!

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Yes, it's real clean!

[@asiaball]

Whoa! I'm back in 2nd grade with this video ! Thanks for making this feature. I'll share it, if you don't mind.

[@SamanthaGibbons100]

good video my dad used to have one and ur right u hardley ever see them driving around these days well done good watch

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Thank you Sam! My friend is driving the one in this video from Alabama to Ohio for a big car show. Should be fun!

[@r0ckstarr]

I completely agree. I found you through a Miata search. Instantly subscribed.