History remembers the Plymouth Voyager and Dodge Caravan as the original groundbreaking minivans in the United States, but Plymouth simultaneously offered another, less well-remembered people mover: the Colt Vista. It may even be the first crossover vehicle ever made, and this immaculate example is currently for sale on Bring A Trailer.
There’s shockingly little to research about the early Colt Vista, but the automotive encyclopedia that is Motorweek first road tested one in 1984, and tested an all-wheel-drive model in 1986. Back then, the concept of an efficient, front-wheel-drive based miniature seven-seater was unheard of, and adding all-wheel drive made it even more of an oddity.
OK, even in nearly showroom condition this ’87 Colt Vista isn’t a realistic alternative to buying a new Subaru Crosstrek or another AWD crossover, unless the buyer is willing to make some sacrifices. When new, the Colt Vista’s 2.0-liter produced a laughable 88 horsepower and 108 pound-feet of torque which took a frankly alarming 19.1 seconds to go from 0 to 60 mph in Motorweek’s 1986 review. If speed or power are on your new car checklist, go for the Crosstrek. But the Colt Vista seats seven and its two rows of rear seats fold flat into a mattress, so it offers more versatility than a Crosstrek at what’s likely to be a fraction of the price.
The Colt Vista has a part-time AWD system that’s activated by pushing the rocket launcher-style brightly colored button on top of the shift knob, which might be worth the price of entry on its own. It actually had reasonable ground clearance at 8.3-inches. Its AWD system was offered with an optional limited slip differential, though this ad doesn’t specify whether this example is so equipped. Regardless, the AWD system is not intended for use on dry roads and only meant to be engaged in inclement weather or on loose pavement.
Use case aside, this has to be the cleanest 1987 Plymouth Colt Vista 4WD in existence. It only has 66,000 or so miles on the odometer, and everything from its pristine bodywork to its flawless interior are impossibly and unreasonably well preserved. The only blemishes on this burgundy beauty are some mild underbody rust and a currently non-functional air conditioning system. It’s also fitted with a Pioneer CD stereo so its new owner can at least plug in the aux cord; it’s not made clear if the updated stereo features bluetooth connectivity.
To anyone who’s looking for an affordable, efficient, spacious, versatile AWD crossover that stands out from the crowd, consider this rad Colt Vista. You’ll be a hero in the eyes of car nerds like us here at Jalopnik, and you’ll own what’s likely to be the cleanest ’87 Plymouth Colt Vista on the road. Plus, you’ll never lose your car in the REI parking lot, unless you plan to time travel back to the ’80s of course.
