If you are of an age and can recall the year 1980, you’ll remember fourteen percent mortgages, high inflation, all-time high fuel prices, couples with odd and even rationing thanks to the Iranian oil embargo’s lingering effects (that started in ’79), and generally gutless domestic cars that were still high on malaise. The times were a-changin’ however, downsizing was in, clean air was laudable, good gas mileage was popular, and muscle cars, what still passed for one, were really out unless you consider stripes, spoilers, white letter tires, etc. to be muscle magic.
Mopar tried to continue the charade with rides like the Aspen R/T but it really wasn’t working. The interest in such factory hot rods had seriously eroded over the previous ten years so manufacturers played to their overall audience as best they could. And today’s find, a 1980 Aspen with the T-Bar top option, is an example of that. It’s badged as an R/T but that may just be the result of the seller’s enthusiasm for his car. There’s a lot going on here, so let’s sort through it. Tony P found this Dodge lounging in the sun in Bath, Pennsylvania. It’s available, here on Facebook Marketplace for $10,500.
Right off the bat, we’re told that this car was a former “street class” drag racer (I’m not sure what that is, in my day street racers didn’t have a class, just cash) and a previous owner changed its color from burgundy to white. I guess he added the monster hood scoop too. The seller claims that this Aspen provides an extremely sound foundation for such a build. Obviously, the hood (a lift-off?) is marred by primer that has been applied here and there, but it looks pretty good all-in-all. The “Star” mag wheels certainly seem period correct.
One thing that I did not know is that Dodge provided the ’80 Aspen with a 166 net HP 318 CI V8 engine with a four-barrel carburetor. Until I researched the Aspen model, my assumption was that all “LA” 318s were fed by a two-holer. Anyway, this car is in possession of a 318 but it’s not the born-with piece. Modifications now include a mild cam, a new demon carburetor on Edelbrock Streetmaster 318 aluminum intake manifold, a Lokar kick down, a re-cored radiator, ceramic TTI headers, rebuilt 904 trans with shift kit, 8-3/4 rear with 4:56 sure grip (489 housing) and a brand new gas tank and sending unit. So, 4:56 gears heh? Yeah, not really streetable. Of course, the engine image reveals a missing upper radiator hose so something is presently keeping this Dodge from forward motivation.
The interior really doesn’t go with the exterior, at least in my estimation, and that’s due to the exterior color change, mostly. It’s also the character of the interior as it looks more suitable for a luxury-themed model. That said, it’s in nice shape and the seller mentions that the carpet has been replaced and the obvious B&M shifter has been added. There is one included image of the instrument panel and there are some small round openings that likely contained switchgear of some sort – no idea what or if it’s important. It’s a basically stock environment with a nice aftermarket steering wheel.
OK, so this Dodge is an attempt to breathe some life into an otherwise, partially lifeless stead. My guess, considering the rear axle ratio, is that this Dodge means competition so that may limit its overall appeal somewhat. And the hood scoop may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but this one is certainly an honest attempt to build a 1980-style car that didn’t really exist in 1980, wouldn’t you agree?
It reads “R/T” but screams “B/S”!
My parents had one light blue T bar etc.. 318 2v auto > just like the one in the brochure at the dealer it was a sweet car my parents used to get tons of attention in it and it was actually reliable unlike most of them they paid about 10k fully loaded as I remember
I wish for more photos, especially the underside. The 4.56 gears are easy enough to fix. It’s one of the nice things about the 8.75 inch rear axle. Just order up a center carrier with more street friendly gears, maybe 3.55 or 3.23. That hood would have to go. I hate the thing. If it’s as solid as it looks, then the $10,500 isn’t too far out of the realm of reality. If that fancy white paint is hiding any rust, it’s worth about what the local salvage yard would be willing to pay for it. The missing upper radiator hose, thermostat housing and thermostat are a concern. Not sure why someone selling a car would snap a photo like this. Seems to me that there could be an issue under the hood with the engine. If the engine is bad, but everything else is good, maybe a 2 grand car. For $10,500 it definitely needs to be drivable. This isn’t a 68-70 Charger, Road Runner or something similar. It’s a malaise era Aspen. Nice looking one except the hood, but still an Aspen.
$10,500? They weren’t worth that much even brand spanking new,let alone now! The Aspen/Volare sucked so badly that Motor Trend gave them the “Lemon of The Year” award!! And at that time they were the most recalled cars in history!
Until a couple of years later when the Citation came around
Looks cool 😎 from the back end.
Dig the white and blue paint scheme.
My ex-wife bought a new 76 Aspen R/T the year we got married. It had a 360 2bbl. At the time I had a 71Duster 340 Super Stock than ran 11.50s @ 121mph. A friend of mine was racing a 76 Aspen with a built 440. It was running 10.70s till he crashed it at the drag strip. They can be made to go fast if they get the right engine in it. A built 318 could run 12.50s. Yes the interior is ugly. Maybe a dye job to black would look better? The Stock 360 my wife had was probably a 16.80 car at best? The rear 8-3/4″ diff is a good start.
I’d love to have it
It’s a good looking car & should be fun( better gas mileage than a BB) if it’s what it appears to be! I vote its a buy it just look it over type thing!
With those rear end gears and the picture of the burnout strips. I’d stay away from it fear of being “rode hard and put away wet”. That missing thermostat housing and hose is also concerning as stated before by Kent
On one hand that’s unique and cool.
On the other hand maybe its just loser town and not cool at all.
I can’t decide
The “Star” mag wheels don’t seem period correct to me. The interior and exterior do.
Who’s he gonna street race with that ? I’m guessing any modern muscle car would destroy it.
Just need to shoe horn a 383 or 440 in there with a 727 torqueflite,ditch the 318.with 4.56 gears you wouldn’t necessarily daily driver it,but would be good for street brawling on the weekends,and with a big block in there,would keep em’ guessing as to whats under the hood.
Looks like the front seats came from a 79 Chrysler 300! If they did, he should’ve taken the powertrain too! At least the (E58 Police Interceptor Option) on the 300 was a 360 w/a Thermoquad 4 barrel carb, 727 trans w/pack, and a 3.23 posi 8 3/4 rear end! The L’il Red Express and the Warlock had this engine and run 14.60’s in those trucks and would have probably done much better in a half ton less vehicle!
Now that Chrysler has deep sixed it’s performance cars, again. I guess we are in a 40 year cycle!