For the most part, the Dodge Aspen and its corporate cousin Plymouth Volare are often overlooked in the muscle car market, and that’s understandable as by the time they were introduced in 1976 the majority of customers were now seeking cars more economical to operate and less expensive to insure. But Dodge did throw a bone at a few buyers by offering an R/T package on a few Aspens, even though all it really got you was some visual appeal and a few decals. But to their credit, at least the company tried to brew up a little excitement during some dismal times for the auto industry, even if it was primarily in the looks department. The seller of this 1980 Dodge Aspen here on Craigslist states that the car is done up in R/T livery similar to a performance and appearance package available at the time, and I may need some input from our readers to help decipher exactly what he means by that. Priced at $4,700, the Mopar is relatively inexpensive and is currently residing in Phoenix, Arizona.
Barn Finds reader Pat L. found this one and sent it our way, and we’d like to give him our thanks for the tip! So Dodge gave the Aspen new front-end styling for its final year in 1980, and if the numbers I’m seeing online are correct apparently fewer than 300 of the coupes got the R/T treatment for the final model. If you view internet images of R/T equipped ’80 cars, some have striping while others don’t. A few include a front spoiler and a black treatment around the headlights, but I noticed a handful that lacked this. This is of course assuming the examples I checked out were factory correct.
It may appear like a dead giveaway when the seller tells us his Aspen is similar to an R/T, so if somebody who has owned one of these cars or has more knowledge about this model than I do can confirm that this is for sure a clone, I’ll sleep better tonight. It just crossed my mind that the seller might not know himself, as we don’t get much information about the car’s past and he’s only owned it for a year. Can you help us out here Moparman? In any event, the body itself on this one doesn’t look all that bad overall, but its things like the side window trim and plastic around the bumpers that are more eyesores, and the paint’s not all that great either. But for less than 5 grand, it’s a pretty cool car for the budget-minded enthusiast.
Sadly, Dodge dropped the 360 engine option for 1980, and for the last year, a 318 was as big as you could get. But the good news here is this one’s at least got the 318, and the owner says the car runs and drives better than it should, but that it’s still more of a project than a daily driver. I guess that’s sort of left open for interpretation too, although he goes on to mention that there are new plugs and wires, fresh coolant and hoses, a recent oil change, plus a brand-new battery.
Looking inside seems to reveal an interior that’s somewhat on par with the exterior, with several dash cracks and some wear on the door panels and seats. But again, this one’s not priced sky-high, and if a driver is all you’re looking for maybe just lay a crafty cover over the dash and cruise off into the sunset. The Aspen also comes with a trunk full of parts, including an A/C setup and several miscellaneous components, so you get a few bonuses as well. Is this a decent deal for $4,700? What do you think?
Is that a beanbag ashtray on the trans hump? I’m not a .mopar guy but I wouldn’t doubt it’s original. Not a bad price too.I think it’s worth it.Glasspacks and duals and the 318’s are tough as nails.glwts.
Can’t tell if its a real RT, but it’s incorrect (inside and outside) nonetheless..
It looks like a nova from the side and a ford fairmont in the front.I grew up with mopars.$4700 seems fair.of course i would have to give it a “mailaise makeover”.4bbl, headers, intake,msd box and maybe a modest cam to give it a nice lopey idle with delta series flowmasters attached to 2 1/2″ exhaust.or if you got some cash hunt down a 70-71 340 long block for a swap.
My buddy had a 77 R/T brand new black with black gut, red striping, this is not an R/T the guy tells you it’s created, and created poorly
I owned a 76 Aspen R/T with a 318, the driver’s door handle broke off in my hand the 3rd day I owned her. The interior was goddy, the car ran like poop.
Well, since the seller states: “It’s done up in the RT livery similar to a performance and appearance package available at the time.”, I would assume that it isn’t a factory R/T.
Easy enough to figure that out, just read the ad.
I don’t beleive this is a real R/T. There were a variety of stripe packages, window louvers, and front/rear spoilers, and wheel spats. This has all the earmarks of a spoiler and emblems salvaged from the real thing, and added to this car. Could be a good buy for someone, though. GLWTS!! :-)
When there’s a Mopar article I always know that many negative comments will follow, especially when the subject is an Aspen or Volare. I always wonder why the negativity. I’ve had good luck with Mopars and can’t say that I ever had a bad one. I hear comments that they rusted bad, but around here they didn’t rust any more than any other brand. The Government forced Chrysler to fix or replace the front fenders on some Mopars while around here the joke was that we heard that there was a 74 to 80 wide bed Chevy truck with no rust holes over the back wheels but no one believed it. I had a 76 Aspen wagon /6/four speed that I put 201K miles on and had virtually no trouble with it. It never had any rust and the dealer thought it only had 101K miles when I traded it. None of the door handles ever fell off.
Totally agree with you , and I’ve always wondered as there’s always a comment about the door handles falling off. I’ve owned quite a few of these , one was a daily driver for 14 years with close to 200k on it when the years of New England winters finally relegated it to the junkyard. the outside handles are pot metal, the plastic clip that hold the rid to the handle may have broken or popped off , but never a broken handle. The paddle type inner door handles are bolted on, so unless one was really loose and rattled like crazy, it wouldn’t just come off. I know the Omni/Horizon outer handles would break, as well as VW rabbits , but never one of these cars.
nope it’s done up. check out the fender rt decals… you can see the holes for the original emblems. and correct me if i am wrong moparman but factory this would have been a lean burn car.
not a bad price and a good starting point for some fun, but i will wait for one with the earlier nose.