Dodge Omni 024

Dodge Omni 024
Overview
Manufacturer	Chrysler Corporation
Also called	Dodge 024 Plymouth Horizon TC3 Plymouth TC3
Production	1979–1982
Body and chassis
Class	Subcompact
Body style	3-door hatchback
Layout	Transverse front-engine, front-wheel drive
Platform	L-body
Related	Dodge Omni Dodge Rampage Plymouth Horizon
Powertrain
Engine	1.7 L Volkswagen I4 2.2 L K I4
Transmission	4-speed manual 3-speed A404 automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	97 in (2,453 mm)
Length	174 in (4,419 mm)
Width	67 in (1,694 mm)
Height	51 in (1,290 mm)
Curb weight	2,551 lb (1,157 kg)
Chronology
Successor	Dodge Charger / Plymouth Turismo

The Dodge Omni 024 was a modified version of the popular Dodge Omni made from 1979 to 1982. Analogous to the VW Scirocco, this car was a lower, sportier 3-door hatchback version of the Chrysler/Simca Horizon, using the four-door hatchback's floor pan and chassis as a basis. The cars were designed in-house at the prompting of Lee Iacocca.^[1]

It used the same chassis and engine options as the Omni but had a unique 3-door hatchback body and front end styling. The base engine was a 1.7 L Volkswagen inline four producing 70 hp (52 kW), with a 2.2 L, 84 hp (63 kW) Chrysler inline four as an option beginning in 1981.^[2] By then, the smaller engine only produced 63 hp (47 kW). For the first year, the wheels were painted in the exterior color, and had a folding back seat. The car's looks promised more performance than the engine could deliver, and the car was not as practical as the Omni. Both the Omni and Horizon prefixes were dropped for 1981, making them the "024" and "TC3", respectively.^[3]

Rear view of 1979-1980 Dodge Omni 024

The 024 did not sell well and was renamed as the Dodge Charger for the 1983 model year, a name which had been gradually introduced as part of a special "Charger 2.2" package beginning in 1981.^[3] The 024 had a twin called the Plymouth Horizon TC3. (The name "TC3" may have referred to the car being a Touring Coupe with 3 doors.) It, too, was renamed in the 1983 model year: to the Plymouth Turismo. The "Turismo" label had already been used on a sport package beginning in 1980.^[4]

In its last year, the 024 and TC3 served as a base for the Dodge Rampage and Plymouth Scamp pick-up trucks using the same chassis, powertrain and body parts from the doors forward.

In 1980 the Plymouth Horizon TC3 also became available with the Turismo sport package. For the Dodge Omni 024 this was called the DeTomaso package, with De Tomaso designed trim and wheels but the standard drivetrain.^[5] 1,333 De Tomaso 024's were built in 1980, followed by 619 more in 1981. The 1981 De Tomasos were only available with the new 2.2 litre engine.^[6]

Also in 1980, in cooperation with Chrysler partner Mitsubishi, the Chrysler Omni 024 was briefly sold in Japan. It was available for two years at Mitsubishi dealerships and it complied with Japanese Government dimension regulations. Unfortunately it didn't sell well, with only 1491 finding Japanese buyers.

References

• Lee, John (1990). Standard Catalog of Chrysler, 1924-1990. Iola, WI: Krause Publications, Inc. ISBN 0-87341-142-0.

1. Nicalek, Bryan T. "Charger, Turismo, 024, and TC3: Omni/Horizon Coupes". Allpar.
2. Hogg, Tony (ed.). "1981 Buyer's Guide". Road & Track's Road Test Annual & Buyer's Guide 1981 (January-February 1981): 93.
3. Lee, pp. 320, 434.
4. Lee, p. 432.
5. Karpi, Aaron. "The Dodge Omni/Plymouth Horizon". My Cars. Archived from the original on September 10, 2006.
6. Lee, pp. 317, 320.

External links