By 1976, the Dodge Dart and Plymouth Valiant had become tired faces in the compact car world. So, Chrysler replaced them with the Dodge Aspen and Plymouth Volare. Mechanically similar, they also featured the same engineering of the day (rear wheel drive, for example). But they were not well-executed cars, and the duo would become two of the most recalled cars of the decade. The seller has a 1978 Dodge Aspen station wagon that “ran when parked,” – but given the amount of dust that has accumulated, it wasn’t recently. Located in Sumerlin, Nevada, this cheap wheels project is available here on craigslist for $1,950.
The Aspen/Volare pairing lasted only one generation, ending in 1980. With Chrysler struggling, they needed a new kind of car to sell, and the 1981 K-cars with front-wheel drive would save their bacon. My family owned a 1974 Dodge Dart Sport, and later a 1980 Plymouth Volare, and I thought the latter was actually the better of the two. Both had 225 cubic inch Slant-Six engines, which would run forever. That may be the powerplant under the hood of the seller’s wagon, but we’re not told or shown. It could also be a 318 V8.
For whatever reason, this Dodge was driven into the garage and left there, to keep company with what looks like a first-generation Buick Riviera. It seems like a well-equipped Aspen with faux woodgrain paneling all around. However, the left rear quarter panel got into a little skirmish at one point and is damaged. Also, the tailgate portion may be faded beyond recovery. The interior looks okay, but it will need a thorough cleaning, and mildew is likely present.
Previously a runner, it doesn’t now thanks at least to a bad ignition switch. And we’re guessing a new battery is in order, and at least one of the tires is flat, suggesting maybe they’re all past their expiration dates. The Dodge has a TorqueFlite automatic transmission, and they were as solid as the Slant-Sixes were. Bring a tow truck and a possible trade as the seller is looking for something that runs and drives. Thanks for the Mopar tip, Jack M.!
Posting deleted.
Yep….that lead-burn system wasn’t the greatest….my brother’s wife drove this exact one until 1983 when he bought a new Ford Econaline Van for her – that was another joke he would say…..
That didn’t take long.
Some Aspens could drop into Reverse if left unattended and running!
Had to do with level ground and parking pall landing on a cog and not falling into place!
We had a 2 door Aspen when I was a teen,it was slant six,4sp.overdive with factory Hurst shifter,it would be cool to have now..
Nah ….Too high . You spend all that money to get it going and still it not worth $ 1,950.00
somebody thought it was a good deal. i would say 500.00 would be the most
Ever since I saw Michael Keaton’s batman driving a Volare/Aspen sedan, I’ve thought of these as the ultimate non-descript car. A station wagon version seems like it would fly under most people’s radar. Might make a good stealth camper?
Had no idea about the poor build quality and design, all the recalls, though. I guess I’ve assumed that anything sporting a slant six would drive forever.
The majority of the recalls had to do with rust in the rushed early models. By late ‘77 the major issue was (inner fender) corrected and total Aspen/Volare’s sold is in the millions. They were then within the average of American car quality back then.
I had a slant/6 and everything I’d heard about them is true. Super easy to maintain, easy to work on and cheap parts.
I remember my Dad was in the market for a mid size wagon for the 1978 model year. He test drove a Dodge Aspen wagon with the 318 V8. Fifteen year old me thought it was fairly quick, LOL. However, Dad ended up ordering a new 1978 Malibu Classic wagon. He let me choose the color, Camel Metallic. I talked him into the rally wheels. He said if he got the wheels, he would not order whitewalls…that was fine with me!
It’s back:
https://lasvegas.craigslist.org/cto/d/las-vegas-1978-dodge-aspen-wagon/7910977566.html
Looks like the stable mate is available too:
https://lasvegas.craigslist.org/cto/d/las-vegas-1963-buick-riviera-true/7911063088.html
Thanks for the update.
Steve R
I live a few miles from Summerlin Nevada and what about the other car next to it. Looks like a Buick.