The Aspen debuted in 1976 as the successor to Dodge’s venerable Dart compact. But the car suffered quality control issues right out of the gate that resulted in a flurry of recalls. It took a while, but most of that was sorted out but not before the Aspen reputation was tarnished. Any of these F-body cars that are running around today are a testament to the problems being fixed. This ‘77 edition began life with a 225 Slant-Six and is now powered by a potent 360 cubic inch V8 from the 1978 Super Coupe muscle car. A Mopar tip from Pat L., this Dodge is in Genesee, New York, and is available for $7,800 here on craigslist (no trades).
Although built on a new platform, the Dodge Aspen and Plymouth Volare didn’t break any new ground in automotive design. Considered compacts at the start of 1976, the cars were considered in mid-size territory by 1980 because so many autos made in Detroit had been downsized. After a tumultuous five-year run, these vehicles were discontinued, replaced in 1981 by the front-wheel drive Aries and Reliant, Chrysler’s new K-Cars.
We’re told this Aspen wears a rare factory color, French Racing Blue, which looks good in the photos but the repaint is said to be 15 years old and showing its age. No mention is made of any rust, past or present, which was one of the early Aspens problems. The interior is going to need attention, including the front seat upholstery (what’s hiding under the throw?) and carpeting,
At some point, this Dodge went from grocery getter to muscle car with the addition of a 360 V8 that now has 60,000 miles on it. It sports a Mopar M1 intake manifold, a 4-barrel carb, and a 727 automatic transmission. The windshield has been replaced (crack from a rock?) as well as the tires that reside on Magnum 500 wheels. Perhaps all these changes were made by the seller, who’s owned the car for more than 20 years. Too many toys and not enough time have brought this car to the chopping block.
Yeah, good luck with that.
This thing has rocker panels full of newspapers and bondo, shoddy bodywork around both rear wheelwells and new, poorly applied paint. Mystery upholstery is hidden under a blanket that they shot through a side window to hide further misery.
Mopar 360 engines are nice, but they can be found in lots of ’70s, ’80s and some ’90s pickups and vans. Do yourself a favor and find yourself and A-body Dart or Valiant and pass on this fright pig. This is maybe a $2500 beater because the engine and TorqueFlite have some value. The rest of this car doesn’t.
As an A-body fan from way back who detests these dogs and everything they meant, I congratulate you on a fine rant laying bare the waste and futility such a car would be.
True, the F Bodies, despite being attractive, were really a let down from a solid Dart or Valiant. Iacocca said as much later. Those cars should have been slightly restyled with a new interior. Could have kept the costs down and would have sold well.
And I quote,,, “back then( mid 70s) we shipped a lot of crap out the door”, from Lee Iacocca in a 2010 interview. He blasted the ( then) corporate bozos “that are steering us off a cliff” in his book “Where have all the leaders gone”? THAT guy should have been our president.
Everything jrh said, plus the fact that the seller couldn’t even bother to open the door to take an interior photo shows just how proud he/she is of this pile.
The doors are rotted away and the paint probably comes from the nearest tremclad shop without counting on a cracked dash and what’s under the seat covers. No power assist on the brakes or steering?. 4 barrel 360 has a desireability index though. I’d stay away
I guess one mans junk is another man’s treasure…..lol
Photos in 3B. 3 beer’s and if looks great!!!!!!!!!!
Um,,Petty Blue, anyone else? I certainly hope we haven’t forgotten him yet, he’s still with us, you know. While it’s not the wheel standing, tire melting cousin, the Cuda, for 1977, the 360 was no slouch. Remember, the fastest production vehicle then was the Little Red Wagon truck, with this motor, I believe. A neat find, always liked the Aspen/Volare. Hopefully by now, most of the “bugs” have been corrected.
I think that Lee was too smart to be the President.
I had a 79 plymouth duster (volare) when I was 19. I bought it with a broken right side torsion bar and a right front spring perch rotted clean through the floor. I took it to a welding ship and asked them to weld in a brace to fix the spring perch and they literally laughed in my face… asking me, what metal is there to even weld to?!?!… after that, I took the 360 and 727 trans out to put into my 79 Cordoba. And while doing that, I found the front frame on the Cordoba was cracked. I ended up scrapping them both. What a waste of time and money. Learned my lesson though… never to buy one of these with even a SPECK of rust… and, always check the frames of cars before you buy. Oh well… teenaged stupidity I guess.
The positive spin of the write up doesn’t begin to cover just how bad these cars were. They rusted while sitting in the manufacturers parking lots and had immediate mechanical issues. The trouble they caused new owners is still strong on my memory. I wouldn’t own one for free. I never heard of this color, it looks like Petty blue. Yes, Iachoca would have been a good presidential candidate.
I really like these cars and the 360 would make it fun but 2000 to 2500 is all I’d pay mainly because of that body work. It’s embarrassing but ill admit it, it reminds me of my very first attempt at age with no guidance from anyone.
My grandpa bought one of these new in 76 slant 6 2door vinyl top covering rear windows baby blue color grandma drove it after he died
never had any problems with it but we had to take it away from her and sell it she kept backing in other cars at Walmart sold it 88000 miles
Don’t know what happened to it but it seemed to be alright for them
Do not see slant 6 anymore
Bought a ’76 for my ex ,new, the only problems that I can remember is the body rust
Looks like it was taken to Earl Schieb (before they went out of business) for the body work & paint job.