I am always drawn to cars like this 1979 Plymouth Volare Custom Sedan. It isn’t because it is an ultra-desirable classic, because it isn’t. This car attracts my attention because of its condition. Most Volares of this vintage have either made their final journey to the scrapyard years ago, or they’re pretty tired and beaten. This Volare has avoided both fates and presents exceptionally well. Several factors have helped its cause, including a two-owner history and an odometer reading of 22,000 genuine miles. It is searching for its third owner, with the seller listing this survivor here on eBay in Bradenton, Florida. They set their BIN at $16,997 with the option to make an offer.
The seller provides an enormous amount of text in their listing, but it repeats itself and lacks concrete information. They describe the car as a two-owner barn find but don’t elaborate on when and where it was stored, or for how long. They also don’t mention evidence verifying the mileage claim, but the car’s overall condition makes the figure plausible. The Teal Frost Metallic paint is claimed to be original, and its shine is impressive if that is the case. It cloaks panels free of dings and dents, while the White vinyl top provides excellent contrast. One thing I noticed is a slight color mismatch on the bumper fillers, suggesting someone may have replaced them due to deterioration. Rust doesn’t appear to be an issue, with the underside shots revealing spotless floors. The trim and glass are excellent, and the narrow whitewalls look right at home on this classic.
Interiors often tell the true story of a classic’s life. Neglect and abuse are clearly visible, and high mileage is typically revealed by worn seats and carpet. This Volare hasn’t suffered any of those issues. While describing the interior as factory-fresh stretches credibility, the condition makes it easy to understand why this Plymouth has accumulated its share of show silverware. The seats are excellent, the carpet is spotless, and the faux woodgrain trim looks perfect. There is no evidence of UV damage, and while it isn’t dripping with factory options, the air conditioning, cruise control, a rear defogger, and AM/FM stereo radio should make life on the road pretty pleasant.
Ordering a 1979 Volare brought buyers a choice of three versions of Chrysler’s venerable 225ci slant-six to power the new purchase. Those sold in California were the least potent, delivering 90hp and 160 ft/lbs of torque. The air cleaner on this car says “Super Six,” and it isn’t deceptive. That motor was the most potent of the three, producing 110hp and 180 ft/lbs. The first owner teamed that motor with a three-speed TorqueFlite transmission and power brakes, but I don’t see evidence of power steering. As previously stated, the seller’s listing is long-winded, but provides only limited specific details. They don’t explicitly state that this Volare is a turnkey proposition, but the indications suggest it is. I would certainly expect nothing less for the asking price.
We’ve recently seen a few survivor-grade classics at Barn Finds that are what would have been considered competent daily drivers when they were new. This 1979 Plymouth Volare Custom Sedan continues that trend, and it will be fascinating to gauge your feedback. Those we’ve recently featured have typically received a thumbs-up, as our readers recognize they have survived against the odds. The seller’s price is well above the market average, but recent sales results suggest that the condition and odometer reading make the figure not unprecedented. The listing statistics are modest, though it only takes one person for this Volare to find a new home. Do you think that will happen?
If you’re in the market for a 1979 Plymouth Volare Custom Sedan… this may be ” the nicest one left “
I suspect that might even be fewer people than for the new Honda Prelude, and Perhaps a few more than for the Charger EV
Lol 😂
I had a 1976 Plymouth Volare custom Sedan with a off white vinyl top and Green Metallic paint. I loved that car and I wished that I had the money for this one because I would buy that in a heart beat. Randy Rossi
I like the theme and tone of your write-up Adam. I really have no interest in a Volare. That said, I enjoy seeing a regular family car of its day which has survived and looks good today. This one looks great.
Years ago, my neighbor had one of these. He said that he liked it but felt it was under powered. Also, there is some type of orange electrical component on the firewall. He always had one or 2 extras in the glove box because they could break with out warning.
Bob – extra ceramic ballast resisters, I suspect.
Yep. Wise to keep a spare handy.
Those were “Ballast Resistor” and were a Mopar staple from late 60,s through the 70’s. The looked like a make 110/120 receptacle and were 12v DC but looked like they could plug right into your wall socket. I had a 74 Dart Swinger w/318 and they would blow for no apparent reason. Same thing, two in the glove box. My 74 Tradesman 200 van also with 318 had the same “resistor” and never blew in over 100K miles.
I agree with Stan and Bob. This might be one of the nicest ones left. To see it in this original not rusted condition is a real treat. Unique color too, they all seemed to be beige. I like it.
This is a great little time capsule. But like everything this dealer has, very overpriced. Now if it were a Road Runner, or even a coupe with an 8, that I could see.
A quick look at the other cars he has for sale tells one they are going to overpay for just about anything he has.
Great cars, especially the last three model years. I have a 1980 Volare Police package sedan, powered by a 318 4-barrel V8. Love the car.
Cool. Would love to see a pic of that one David, always liked the Cop cars from the Mopar gang.
My parents had a brand new Volare when they were first married back in the late 70s. If I brought this home I think mom would disown me; she can STILL tell you how much she HATED that car! Ah well.
When i use to work the parts counter from 85 through 2000 there was always a steady stream of Chrysler customers needing the ceramic ballast resistors so the only question i always asked.2 or 4 prongs. Then was the ignition module on the firewall. Ah the good old days
I bought a Volare wagon for my upholstery repair business. I’m guessing the front fenders had been replaced under that rust recall because they were good. Mine had the slant 6- very serviceable. I thought it was odd that the distributor had a plastic gear; maybe to cut down on vibration. But for what I used it for it served me well. Didn’t much care about the inside since I was spilling dye & materials in the back, but it took care of me. I sold it to a kid who drove drunk across rr tracks where there wasn’t a road & did a number on the underside. LOL! I collected my purchase price back when a car runner for a muffler company backed into me at a dealer & knocked a big chunk of bondo out of the right rear quarter panel, almost like the car took a crap! LOL! I collected $900 for that.
Nice car at least $8,000 over priced 43 hour drive away or 1 day 19 hours I guess flying back there to get it and driving home would be fun
If you need one…
I had bought a used ’78 dark green Volare when living in Houston, Texas in 1980 and this one looks as nice as the then two year old car I bought way back then. It’s the only car I ever owned with a built-in 8-track player. I loved that car and it ran like a charm. These are great under the radar gems and in the shape of this one should be a good buy.
in this are rust rust rust recall, recall the mechanics used to sing Voolare Chryslers Sorry and 5 years they were scrapped
Not ‘79’s
Plymouth Volare and Dodge Aspen were both nice automobiles in 1979. Surprised to see this Volare in such great shape!
Probably one of the nicest Volares I’ve seen since at least when they were new. Would have been nice to have gotten a few photos of the trunk area as well. That slant 6 will run forever. Dealer’s definitely a bit on the high side, even taking into account the condition. I would put it at maybe $9k to $10k at the most. Would love to have it just to stand out amongst the sea of homogeneous, bland, cookie cutter SUV’s roaming the roads today.
These are roomy and comfortable for a compact. I’m going to hazard a guess that this one has power steering since it’s equipped with tilt column. The speed control is hiding the lever but that steering wheel only came with tilt. I like that salt and pepper upholstery.
In Oct. 78 I ordered my very first ”new” car, a 79 LeBaron Medallion coupe…. 318, auto, full power. White with the same green color leather seats and carpet, headliner as this car. You were surrounded by that pretty color. Too bad the seat faces are not that nice shade of green…. everybody liked my car…. so did I. Kept it for 115k miles over 9 years of Ohio winters and salt.
I had three of those, a wagon and two two doors. Two had 318’s the other was a six. I made a split manifold for it, made it really sing.
My Dad had a 76 Dodge Aspen, which was the sister to this car. It was badly underpowered, the 3spd automatic lacked overdrive, and it had a fierce propensity to rust. Within three years, most of the front fenders were rusted away. It had phantom electrical gremlins that would stop it from working, including that orange box on the firewall. Ours lasted eight years. We traded it for a 1984 Hyundai pony. I think the dealer gave us $50.00 for it.
The car posted may well be the best example of the genre left in the world. If you are an enthusiast of this car, this may be your best chance to own one.
1976 was the big recall year, with no inner fenders the front fenders would rust away quickly. As part of the recall they’d add inner fenders to protect the fenders. By 1977 production, this issue was mediated and later ones didn’t rust any quicker than other late 70’s cars.
Evidence of this was the plentiful used ones available in the late 80’s and early 90’s that were not rusted away. Mostly ‘77-80 models. The 1989 movie Batman used many as police cars.
Did your dad get the recall done?
Well Johnny the truth of the matter is this. The redesigned fenders did not go into production until early in the 1978 MY run. The redesigned fenders were used to replace the rusted ones on 1976 and 77 models. The part numbers were 4106604 and 4106605. I’ll never forget those part numbers.
One of the more boring cars made but will admit, as a transportation car, it was roomy and solid. We had a million rental Volare and Aspen cars. This maybe the nicest one left. However, it is super overpriced.
One of my roommates in college had a later 70’s coupe with the slant six and auto. He let me borrow it to go to work one day when my ’82 Reliant wagon was in the shop. His was faded maroon but wasn’t real rusty and was very reliable. It had steelies and dog dish hubcaps which I’ve always liked. Neat car but that price, yikes!
I’d love to get inside the guys head that says “I’m going to preserve this 1979 4 door Plymouth Volare for posterity.” I wonder what owner #2 paid for it?
Although I was too young at the time to drive a car, my aunt and now late uncle drove a 1976-77 Dodge Aspen. Theirs was an SE 2 door coupe. From what I’ve gathered, they loved the car. They drove it carefully, they maintained the car, they drove it everywhere.