Chrysler decided to replace its aging Plymouth Valiant/Dodge Dart duo in 1976 by coming up with a whole new car. The Plymouth Volare/Dodge Aspen pairing was created to fill the void but stumbled at first with a litany of recalls and quality control problems. Trying to recapture the muscle allure of the 1960s, they offered the Aspen R/T (Volare Road Runner at Plymouth), but the cars (and their sales) paled in comparison to the Coronet and Charger R/Ts of yesteryear. This 1976 Aspen R/T is said to be a one-owner car that a dealer came into possession of. As a result, its mechanical health is unknown and it has cosmetic issues. Located in Orlando, Florida, this Mopar is available here on eBay where $4,900 is the current bid. Our thanks to BF Michael for this tip!
For the most part, the Aspen R/T was mostly about looks. While they came with wider tires on Rallye wheels and had special graphics, mechanically they were pretty routine. A 225 cubic inch Slant Six was standard, followed by a 318 V8 and two versions of the 360, with 2 or 4-barrel carburetion. If you ordered a V8, like this car, your only transmission choice was the 727 TorqueFlite automatic transmission.
The R/T didn’t find many takers in its first two years, at 6,253 and 4,465 units for 1976 and 1977, respectively. After that, they trickled off into oblivion when the cars were discontinued in 1980. This Dodge is described as a barn find and no attempts have been made to clean it up or get in running. The 44,000 indicated miles may or may not be correct but the 360 2-barrel jives with the VIN provided. As a dealer, the seller says he/she will restore the car if a qualified buyer doesn’t materialize during this auction.
We’re told the ignition needs to be replaced, at a minimum, and that work can be done at the seller’s additional expense. The same is said for detailing but the seller’s objective is to present an as-in car in the condition it was found. There are no signs of rust (which was a Volare/Aspen problem) but the paint and interior are going to need some attention. This is a blue-on-blue Dodge that retains the original R/T graphics which probably didn’t scare many people at the street corner drag race. This could be an interesting car when sorted out, but it’s not going to find many collectors selling off their pristine Challenger R/T to own it.
727? Maybe a 904 unless it was the 4bbl 360. 5K seems a little high for an obviously abused car. At least wash the interior. I hate all this “found” crap. Show us exactly what you have.
It is called Barn Finds for a reason … As found ,5k is cheap this one has way more to go, watch
Barn find?? It’s in a junkyard.
Is that a free bag of cement w the deal ? 🤔
I believe this would have originally had the A999, which is a beefed up version of the A904 . The A727 was only in heavier duty applications like the big blocks, 360 4-bbl ,and police and taxi package cars.
Wrong, the A-999 didn’t come out until 1984. Police cars used A-727’s through 1983.
looks like a old Wieland box not cement -vintage race parts?
*Weiand
thanks my bad I messaged seller it is in fact brand new never used valve covers
I remember when these were new. I had a 69 Charger then and noticed the mimicry tail lights basically attached to a Dart. It’s called the malaise era for a reason, but the 360 is nice for a “builder.”
360-2 was a dog. If this was an E-58 360 4bbl it would be a whole other story.
This car is a flood car…without any doubt. Just from the pictures you can tell it has been totally submerged. It is a complete, and total loss. That’s why it is sitting at a CoPart insurance salvage auto auction lot. Flipper didn’t even remove it from the lot to take pictures. This is toast. “Ignition switch”??? It’s gonna need a LOT more than that!
After reading your comment I checked the pics 📸 100% correct – it’s toast a flood car there’s mud on top of the air cleaner – mud line is over waist high – entire car is wrecked
There is a lot of work here. The best thing for a car like this is, complete tear down and build a race car. The front suspension system was junk,, the rear end and suspension was junk, the motors were junk.
Bob Lambeck; and Jim Kennett did them justice
FLOOD CAR 100% worthless – mud on top of air cleaner – entire interior has mud & mold – car would have to be stripped to bare metal & no mechanical parts or electric Can be reused cept suspension parts MAYBE if not rusted.
If perfectly clean it could have been a runner with a few performance parts cam headers 4v carb etc
As is NOPE its a 50k headache to fix
Best they can hope for is to part out what’s usable
Engine Trans junk interior junk
The 1976 and 1977 Aspen and Volare were not available with the 360 4 barrel in any iteneration. If it has a 360, it should be a 2 barrel carburetor. The 360 4 barrel was 1st released in these cars in 1978.
I’m sorry, but who the fck would buy this ugly pos pig?
It’s a Pile, it was a Pile when it was brand new in 1976…..don’t waste your time or money on this
Had one of these back in the 80’s. Bought it used, and it had been painted, so no stripes, and no R/T stickers on it. Insurance would have been higher if it had R/T plastered on it.
My car had the 360 and 4bbl. And yes, it was a steaming pile then.
Good luck to whomever buys this one!
SOLD for 6K
My wife got a new 76 Aspen RT 360 2bbl. It was a piece of crap and I’ve owned lots of early 70s Mopars that were new. My first new car was a 71 Demon 340 which I turned into a Super Stocker. The Aspen had a 904 transmission and was a dog. I even put my 4 bbl from my 71 Demon 340 on it and still a turd. The car had multiple windshield leaks and at least 6 fender bolts that weren’t even tightened! The hood latch was loose too. At 60 mph the hood would raise up about a inch! After multiple warranty problems I told them to shove the warranty! We got divorced about 6 months later!! Hahaha! She was defective too!
I know for sure that in 77 at least, that these were available with a 4 speed with the 318. The 360 was AT only.
I ordered a R/T Super pack in76. It was a 318 with a four speed transmission. 4th gear was overdrive, in it. It was a good car, but rust was a problem after 4 years.
My 1st brand new car in 1976 from inside showcase in TN. My then husband, 2yrs later, x-husband sold it in late 80s without my permission. Broke my heart! I never knew who bought it and this is the 1st one I have ever seen without being rusted out, wreaked, or vents missing.
If I had the money and a way to restore, I would cause they are a rare find. It was a average gals hot car and was fast.