I really love No Reserve auctions on eBay. They are a bit like the Lottery. You know that eventually, someone is going to be the winner. This 1977 Aspen SE is the subject of just such an auction. Listed here on eBay, bidding is at $3,850 with 6 days to go. This car is located in Gilbert, Arizona, and it comes with a clear title.
This car looks to be in really good condition. The more that I look at it, the more that I like it. I find the color to be quite attractive, I like the contrast in the side-moldings and the vinyl roof, and I think that the wheels set it off quite nicely. The seller also states that the car is rust-free.
The interior also looks pretty good, but not perfect. The seller is quite brutal in his assessment of it: ” Some idiot cut the door panels and installed speakers, but that’s really the worst of it.” I couldn’t have put it better myself. The rear seat also looks pretty good. Apart from the speaker issue, there is a crack in the dash-pad along with some discoloring. On the plus side the car features ice-cold air con, a factory cruise control that works, and it now also sports a new CD player although the original radio is in the trunk if the new owner wants it.
Under the hood also looks quite tidy. The seller states that the 318ci V8 will be getting a tune-up and service this week. The car also has new tires, new brakes, and a new carburetor. The owner appears to be someone who is quite meticulous as he has a pile of receipts ” an inch thick” verifying all work that has been done to this car.
Sadly in Australia, we didn’t see anything in the way of Dodge products after the early ’70s. Our locally developed Chrysler Valiant soldiered on until the late ’70s when Chrysler Australia was bought out by Mitsubishi and then crawled off quietly to die. I can’t help but think that cars like this may have given the make enough visual appeal and presence to survive. So, could this be a good buy for someone, or is it likely to be good-bye to their cash? Let me know your thoughts.
Amid the stories everyone and their mom has about how horrid the Aspen and Volare were, there’s always one or two who loved the car and had few issues. This must have been one of those. This would be a fun way for somebody to get into an old car. I like the color combo. I would sort it out and probably drive it three days a week.
Bought one new in 76, and owned it until 1981. Never and issue. Mine was orange with white interior, and white vinyl top.
Nice color combo. I’m jealous.
Nicely optioned, clean car with tilt steering and cruise control. It’s really nothing special, though, so the seller must find someone who will appreciate it for what it is. I hope it finds a good home.
I like it except for the color but wth.
Despite it’s horrid build quality, before the Saturn Ion, I read, these were the poster child for recalls, and helped Chrysler fail the 1st time, but if you could get past that, I think these were really nice cars. This one looks great. Can’t verify the 34K, but with a pile of receipts, and being from Az. I doubt it has 34K. It would be hard to think it has 134K, but maybe, engine looks a bit crusty for 34K, underside shots would tell the real story. I think someone detailed the heck out of an already nice car. Priced right, this would be a great car for a DD.
Hey Howard, not to worry. The GM X body cars soon won that sorry title on recalls lol.
The ION didn’t rank even close to the recall #s of the Ford Fairmont, Focus and GM’s X Cars.
I would love this ride.like the color,the size,the looks id just get rid of the lean burn and use it as a daily…
Awesome looking car. I’ve always loved the 1976-77 Dodge Aspen and Plymouth Volare. My aunt had a 1977 Dodge Aspen SE two door. As far as I can tell, it was a reliable car. I cannot remember if it had a V8 engine, or if it had a 3.7 litre slant six engine.
My buddy was the “lucky” owner of 2 of these in 1984 or so, hand me downs from his brothers.
Both SEs, both ran great with the 6 cylinders, nice interiors and stereos were awesome.
Both rusted out bodies like swiss cheese.
Life in New England…….
Brother took his wife and kids ALL over the country in a wagon….never a whipper.
I agree. I grew up being told that the Dodge Aspen and Plymouth Volare were poorly built pieces of junk that weren’t worth the money one paid for the cars. I have to disagree. They may not be perfect by any means, but as cars of the 70s go, they weren’t horrible either. I’ve known people who have owned one of each car, and they loved driving it. They bought it, carefully serviced it when needed, they never had an accident driving it. I’m sure they’d buy another one if they could find a decent example today. :)
I worked at a CP dealership in 1981. When we got the Volare/Aspen wagons in for trades, they were never on the lot for more than 3 days. The main problem with these were poor rustproofing from the factory, and within a few years, the radio antenna actually rusted through the fender. Chrysler ordered a recall. I would love to have a ’77 SE wagon, 318, buckets, floor mounted shifter,& fully loaded. Very versatile and robust automobiles.
That’s a problem I’ve heard of about most cars of this vintage. Mopars were probably the *worst* when it comes to rust.