Chrysler introduced the Plymouth Volare/Dodge Aspen in 1976 to replace the aging Valiant/Dart compacts. The cars had a five-year run, but they were not trouble-free with a host of recalls in the vehicles’ earliest days. This 1977 station wagon has managed to be a survivor-quality car except for a rebuilt 318 cubic inch V8 to haul around the kids. Located in Granada Hills, California, this nice Plymouth Volare is available here on craigslist for $10,500. Another interesting Mopar tip from Rocco B.!
Sales numbers for these cars would suggest a success story. The Volare saw 1.25 million units produced and the Aspen accounted for another 950,000 cars. However, they had a lot of quality control problems that led to one recall after another. Which helped dig the hole Chrysler was getting into even deeper. But they no doubt resolved the issues over time. My mother owned a 1980 Volare and it was more reliable than the 1974 Dart she had before it.
The Volare Premier wagon was the top-of-the-line family “Truckster”, with faux woodgrain paneling that hardened to the Woodie era of 20 years earlier. Plymouth sold more than 76,000 of these wagons in 1977 alone, so it was a popular alternative to the full-size Mopar wagons that had become land yachts by this point.
We’re not sure of the history of this Plymouth. It’s said to have just 61,000 miles, yet its V8 engine was rebuilt five years ago and those 318s are usually bullet-proof. The wagon has the typical goodies you might expect for the day, like factory A/C, power steering, and power brakes. The dark green original paint looks quite as does the matching interior, though the headliner might be getting an early case of the “droops”. Even the Woodie part of the wagon looks pretty fair. Would this wagon be a good Soccer Mom hauler for your family?
A step up from the Duster. Fun grocery hauler.
Nicely optioned wagon in very nice original shape, but I think they’ll have a hard time finding someone who’d want it at that price. Most of these rotted away the first time they got wet, so it’s no surprise that it’s a CA car.
It all depends on the climate it was driven in and who was behind the wheel to determine how long they will last. These would last if kept out of the salt (just like any car from this generation.) The 318 with the 904 trans is a great drive train for durability and longevity.
How do I post a picture on here ?
Michael-
Tape it to your computer screen. (JK.)
I THINK you have to be a member to post pictures… someone correct me if I’m mistaken.
I am not a member but have been able to post LINKS to pictures, however, like this:
https://photos.classiccars.com/cc-temp/listing/98/4204/8344580-1977-plymouth-volare-wagon-std.jpg
Good luck.
~Lothar
I remember these rolling through the yard by the hundreds. Th Achilles heel were the rear ends. If the rear wasn’t broke, you sold every one you took in through the late 80s after that these were just core and crush items, minimum bid cars to just process. 61k and a rebuilt engine is somewhat strange as I handled many with mileage nearly at the 200k mark and rust, rear end blues were usually the death call. 6s that didn’t recieve oil were common. The super 6s ran well and were great sellers. Many went from these into older Darts, Dusters, and Valiants. A nice survivor here but a stretch at 10 plus k.
Yes, the rear ends were definitely problematic on these cars. Dad had one, a 77 Aspen SE with the wood grain, that he bought from Avis Car Leasing used car sales in Westbury NY in 1978, with 15,000 miles on it. It had been an Avis VP’s company car. But the problems Dad had with the car were unreal. Seemingly EVERYTHING one could think of went wrong with it. Among other things, not only did the 318 burn oil like mad, but after the car chewed up its third rear end by 40 thousand miles, he was done, and traded it in in the spring of 1980 for a 78 Monte Carlo. It’s a shame, because the size of the car was just right, it was attractive, comfortable, and rode smoothly. Too bad it was such a lemon…
Had one the same color as this for a little while when I was 19/20 years old had the slant six it was my commuter car from Everett to Ballard Washington to work for a Nut and bolt company. Got fired for my sarcasm.
“FamilyTruckster”?
Had a 77 with the super 6 from 82 to 92. Had 37k miles when I bought it. Already had some serious rust on the lower part of the doors. Likely one of the reasons it survived so long was because we moved to Phoenix from Northern Virginia in 86. Had the transmission rebuilt twice before moving. The super 6 was bullet proof. Gas mileage a consistent 15. Had about 115k when I traded it in 92. Definitely got my money’s worth out of it.
Very nice survivor but waaay over priced! $5-6k at most.
It will likely sell for close to $10k. If it’s as good as it looks it likely doesn’t have a speck of rust. Wagons are popular on the west coast and it’s useful. The one downside, it needs to be smogged every two years, which means all if the emissions equipment must be present and functioning to register or transfer title.
Steve R
my father in law had one of these gems with a slant 6 and mostly trouble free with the exception of a persistent oil leak up front that he had fixed several times, which he successfully addressed after his wife drove it with the red idiot oil light on. out there are people who can ruin any ‘bullet proof” car ever built.
Nicest one left is hard to say but you don’t see them often. Sure looks good from here. It’s a wagon and the 318 was usually a good thing. Seems alright to me.
I can remember when you could buy these everyday of the week running and driving for $300 and that was talking it down from $350. It just amazes me that someone thinks these cars are worth this much for a Plymouth Volare station wagon. I guess the redeeming factor it has a bullet proof 318 with the 727 torqueflite transmission if it doesn’t rust away it will run forever.
I thought the Premier had a split front seat with armrest, evidently that was optional. I like the drivetrain; it’s reliable and can be enhanced without changing its stock appearance a whole lot. Tidy everyday driver that’s one to watch, value-wise; its checkered reputation means nice examples like this will be tough to find.
’60s 170 dart wagon got me to all the parameter states (300k when eased aside) to have me drive a livery fleet back home for a neighbor of these, still the slanty motors. No thing as upscale as bent8’n wood grain Di-Noc. Right sized cars tho.
Skipped over to the ThriftPower i6 (lot more to offer, 6 of them, 2 in large displacement) awhile back. Several have powered my 42 yr owned 1st gen bronco (170 & now 250/4.1). Thats a worker tho. Known locally as wagonman I cant find nother dart/aspen w/the 3.7/225 so gota 3.8 ‘fox’ wagon. Thats for daily & prts runnin (even a 1/2T block will fit/haul). Happy again~