Having recently spent some time in the Palm Springs area, I can’t help but think of the Rat Pack and that whole era when I’m there. Dean Martin had two houses there, and he’s known for singing Volare, the song that a lot of us will have in our heads now for a few hours. This Yellow Blaze 1977 Plymouth Volare Premier Coupe is posted here on craigslist in Simpsonville, South Carolina, and they’re asking $9,500. Here is the original listing, and thanks to Tony P. for the tip!
Simpsonville, SC is a long way from Palm Springs, CA (2,267 miles), but both areas are beautiful in their own way. This bright yellow Volare Coupe would look at home in either city or in any other city. It’s always hard to tell from just looking at photos, but this sure looks like “the nicest one left,” as far as ’77 Volares go, doesn’t it? One thing I notice is that it appears that the door strikers have been painted, so maybe this isn’t the original paint? You can see some somewhat scary areas in the detailed photos where rust appears to be lurking behind somewhat puffy paint. I hope it isn’t full of bodywork, that would be one vote for buying a car in Palm Springs.
Only made between 1976 and 1980, the Plymouth Volare and Dodge Aspen have surely had an impact on the automotive world, at least for 1970s American cars. The posh Premier version of the Volare came in both two-door coupe and four-door sedan models, and one thing it included would have been full wheel covers. This car is wearing rally-type wheels found on sportier Volares and other Chrysler vehicles of the era. This is one case where I wouldn’t go back to the original spec, unless the original owner upgraded to these wheels when the car was new.
I won’t mention the steering wheel cover, even though I just did. The rest of the interior looks great from what I can see. The optional white all-vinyl highback bucket seats look almost like new, both front and rear. They list the mileage as being 46,616 miles and say this car was garaged for most of its life. I’m speculating, but I’m guessing at least portions of this car have been repainted at some point, given how the detailed photos look and the painted door strikers. Thoughts?
The Super-Six was new for the 1977 model year, and it came with a two-barrel carb. It’s the top version of Chrysler’s 225-cu.in. OHV slant-six, which had 110 horsepower and 180 lb-ft of torque when new. Power is sent through a TorqueFlite automatic to the rear wheels, and the seller doesn’t say one word on how it runs or if everything works, but I have to believe that things work, given the visual condition of the rest of the car. Any thoughts on this Volare?
Very nice. I was a little suprised this one didn’t have a 318. But still, you can’t go wrong with a Slant Six. It’s a sharp looking car, I normally don’t go for yellow but in this case it looks nice. I’m thinking Scottys rught, this may be one of the nicest ones left. The buckets and console are very unique too, all you seem to ever see are bench seat cars. Tony Primo finds another nice one!!
Sorry, thats supposed to say Scottys right….. Not rught….. Me and my cursed fat thumbs lol.
Puffy paint and all, it still could be said to be the nicest one left…and that could have been true as early as 1978! ;) This car well represents the moment American automakers officially handed the keys over to our friends in Japan. Can you say BYD?
The only good things about this particular Volare is the bucket seats with the console. Nothing else.
This is a very nice car…especially from the side! Beyond that I’m not sure what else to say except great write up and and a great find!
You are way too kind, sir. Thank you for your service, by the way.
Tough crowd tonight Scotty!
Ha, I know, Tony! “What a crowd, what a crowd…” (Rodney Dangerfield voice)
In looking at this Volare, I couldn’t help but think about the similar-vintage Mustang II Mike wrote up a few days ago. Both yellow/white, both in very good shape, both representing cars which were solid sellers in their day. But today (I think I am safe to say this) aren’t particularly well-liked. That said, this is a well-kept Volare. Not expensive.
Thanks SG.
Bob, this may sound strange and I may be in the minority here but, many times I go past the Nova SS, Mustangs, Chevelle SS etc and go straight to cars like this Volare, or a Mustang II or a Pinto, a Vega, Chevette, Omni, just because you don’t see the cars that were EVERYWHERE when we were younger. I do go back and click on the other ones afterwards. But I’m always drawn to cars like these.
-Dave
Thanks, Dave and Bob! I also look right past almost everything related to muscle cars (other than maybe an AMX or other AMC) and go right for the underdogs. I would take a Mustang II over a 454 Chevelle or a Gremlin over a Corvette every time. I’m a weirdo, clearly.
Looks like the first brand new car I ever bought off the dealers showroom, except mine was a Dodge Aspen SE coupe! Same color with a tan vinyl roof. Slant six also and 60×40 split crushed velour seat, It must have been built on a Friday after a multi beer lunch, so many problems! Carb needed to be rebuilt after the warranty expired, The front disc brakes had a click click come and go, there was a 1/2″ gap between the top and rest of the dash board. The third year I owned it, I sold it for enough to pay off the loan. Then I bought a 1955 Dodge 5 window 1/2 ton pickup truck w/rebuilt flat head 6 cyl. “Job Rated”
Ha, that’s a great story, Brian! I heartily approve of your second purchase: the ’55 Dodge pickup!
My buddy back in the day had 2 Aspen S/Es that were hand me downs from his older brothers and already rusty. I don’t recall either of them having a console, which makes this one look especially nice.
color work for this. shame the door panels were destroyed for those stupid speakers. buckets are sweet but shame it does not have a 340 in it.
None ever did – but it could have had a 360 in it !
The ‘Super Six’ versions of the SL6 were quite peppy engines. I sure wouldn’t mind having one as a daily driver.
Would make for a nice ride and with that yellow if someone hit it they will have a hard time claiming they didn’t see you