The Dodge Aspen and Plymouth Volare arrived on the new F-body platform in 1976. They replaced the aging Dodge Dart and Plymouth Valiant on the A-body platform. From an engineering standpoint, there was nothing new or innovative here, as the cars continued to have rear-wheel drive and Slant-Sixes or V8 engines. The seller has a nice 1977 Aspen 4-door sedan whose odometer reads 12,000 miles, and it has the Super Six motor (more on that in a moment). Located in South Ozone Park, New York, this one-owner survivor is available here on Facebook Marketplace for $7,300. “Zen” is the source for this Mopar tip.
Part of the so-called “Malaise Era” of auto production in the 1970s and 1980s, the Aspen and Volare were typical examples. But they may go down as two of Chrysler’s most successful failures in that they racked up a boatload of recalls in their early years, many of which could be attributed to lackluster quality control at Chrysler. My mother once had a 1974 Dart Sport and a 1980 Volare, and I found the Volare to be the better car in terms of how well it was put together.
Because its cars were bogged down with emissions controls that affected performance, Chrysler introduced the “Super Six” version of the 225 cubic inch Slant-Six in 1977. It used a 2-barrel carburetor instead of a single, which included a different intake manifold and larger exhaust. This setup only added 10 hp, but we’re told the idle was smoother, and the cars were a little better behaved. That version of the 225 was around through 1983.
We’re told this Aspen is in mint shape, but that might be a bit of a stretch. The body and paint look good, not showing any of the rust that would become part of the recall problems. We’re told it drives well and the interior looks fancier than standard and seems to be in great shape, except perhaps for the steering wheel. It’s said the car has been parked in a barn for many years, but that doesn’t appear to have caused any issues. It’s a good driver that has some aftermarket wire wheels which don’t quite look right to me. But as long as they do their job with decent tires, who am I to complain?
$7,300 you have got to be F@@@@@@ kidding me !!!!!!!!
Super six in America was gone after 79, I believe, Canada might have had it in 83. I saw a Mirada at a car show recently with a six, a 1983, and it was a bogged down 90HP 1bbl. Too sad for words in such a beautiful car. Should have been standard 318s. Still a shadow of what they once were, but so much better.