We’ve seen our share of Chrysler K-Cars here on Barn Finds over the years, but not many have been trophy-winning examples. I know, a K-Car in a car show? And it won a trophy? This 1982 Dodge Aries SE Wagon is that car, and it’s posted here on craigslist in Yakima, Washington. The seller is asking $6,100, not quite what it cost new. Here is the original listing, and thanks to Scott for the tip!
The optional Rallye Road Wheels look great here, along with the thin white wall tires, which were new in 2022. As with most vehicles, improvements were made to the K-Car line throughout its 9-year model run (1981 through 1989), but the early square cars are the coolest, in my opinion. As a trophy-winning example, I don’t have to tell you that this SE wagon is in almost like-new condition inside and out. This car is said to be rust-free and was ordered without air-conditioning.
The generous rear cargo area looks like new, big shocker, and with the back seat folded down, should give the next owner more than ample space for that vintage go-kart… hey, a guy can dream. I miss the era of two-door wagons, and I’ve always wondered what a two-door Aries wagon may have looked like… Chrysler made the Plymouth Reliant as well as the Aries, and they came in a variety of body styles, but no convertible. Or, maybe there was, at least a Photoshop version of a K-Car convertible…
Oddly enough, but maybe not odd for a craigslist ad, the photos are all over the board here, but at least there are only two verticals. The biggest problem is that there are no good interior photos showing this award-winning car and its award-winning interior (sorry for yelling). This one has a console to house the TorqueFlite-based A470 automatic made for the Mitsubishi 2.6 engine, which this car has. How are there no photos showing the seats at all? We see the headliner, but not much else inside.
Here’s where the engine is, but we don’t get to see this award-winning engine compartment. Sigh. It’s a 2.6-liter OHV Mitsubishi 4G54, a fantastic engine with 92 horsepower and 131 lb-ft of torque. It’s the same basic engine that I have in my 1980 Dodge D-50 Sport pickup, although mine has another 10 hp or so. This one is backed by that three-speed automatic sending power to the front wheels, and they say they drive it on a regular basis, sometimes hundreds of miles at a time; although the mileage is listed as 17,200. It looks nice enough to be an ultra-low-mile example, but we don’t know for sure. Any thoughts on this Aries wagon?
Love your 2 door sports wagon SG.
Thank you, sir! Happy 4th!
Same here. It’s a shame Chrysler didn’t consider it. They already had the tooling for the 2 door. But if they did, Scotty nailed it!!!
I have an 84 Chrysler Town and Country wagon, equipped with the same engine, and it’s a good reliable car. The carbs were nothing to brag about and are tough to find. I replaced mine with a Weber, otherwise my car is as built. It gets quite a bit of looks at car shows and I also hear many comments about how their parents or grandparents had one. And yes, if it wasn’t for the “K” car, Chrysler would have folded in the 1980s if it wasn’t for it and the minivan.Now what’s the story on the two door Sports Wagon? I’m not seeing a picture or a story!
Good write-up Scotty. I know I would be subject to derision, but if I was at a show and saw this car, it would be one of the first ones I would look at and study. For me it’s fun to see cars which were basic throw-aways in their day which have survived. Such as this K-car, it looks to be in great shape.
In hindsight, the K-cars, being basic economy cars for the most part, were an important part of American automotive history.
I’m with Bob- good write-up, Scotty, as always! Yes, I too appreciate cars all these years later that were mostly thought of as disposable after their duty was served. And I agree with Stan that the 2-door sports woody wagon is pretty cool. Thanks for sharing this one with us!
Sweet profile pic 📸 Stephens
That was my first car, a 1971 Plymouth ‘Cuda, a real one with the fender gills! I remember paying $800 for it back in ’82, right after graduating from High School. It took a lot of grass cutting and newspaper deliveries in addition to a job to save enough, that was a lot of dough in my life back then. It’s “the” one I wish I’d held onto. Thanks for noticing!
I bring rudimentary cars to shows all the time and they barely get anything more than “I havent seen one of those in 30 years!” Much less a trophy. Price seems fair if those miles are legit. Two door wagons were a thing for about 6 years, Pintos and the like.
Why were they advertising that a radio was “all transistor” in 1982? Was Iacocca implying other cars were running tube radios still???
Not necessarily that new but still pretty Space-age. Digital tuning was pretty advanced. It had only been about a decade for transistorized ignition systems. We were just being to computerized zethe iGnition systems in cars. Check out car brochures from the 60s and 70s to see how quickly technology was evolving.
I think if I were at a car show, I’d most likely gravitate towards this K Car right away myself. Like Bob said above, these ARE a very important part of our history. They’re only original once. And this one sure looks original. I hope it goes to a good new home and gets the same care its received all these decades.
As mentioned, my old man dabbled in used cars, and a car like this was another auction car, not sure what it needed, but after being repaired, I took the family to Florida in it one year. Late 80’s. We drove from Wis. to Cocoa Beach,,nonstop, about 26 hours with pee stops. That’s right, being a truck driver, I said, we aren’t wasting time or money in a motel, just wait until we get to grandmas condo, go sleep in the back. Well, even the almighty get tired, and I told my ex-wife to drive for a bit. I nodded off, and awoke to an unusual vibration. I said, “how fast are you going”? As the speedo just coming down off 80, “I was just keeping up with everyone else”,,I said, I’ll drive. It got great mileage, and aside from gas, needed nothing. You may sneer, but it was a cheap way to get to FL.
A wonderful find, not many kept a K car. I can’t even count how many of these K cars I’ve had involvement with, from the durable minivans, my daughters Shadow, my late sister had a Reliant, and the many the old man had, I can say, without reservation, they were the best AMERICAN cars for a changing world. I tell ya’, that guy ( Lee Iacocca) should have been our president. I don’t read much, but with everything else off the radar, I want to read his book, “Where have all the leaders gone”, a chilling description of our society is headed today.
I agree with Howard’s statement
Really, they have K cars at car shows? Really, they give trophies to them?
I love that two door wallpaper woodie. A true shooting brake.
Nice car but I have to disagree with the seller claims that the city of Sequim is the driest climate in Washington they have jokingly made it illegal to rain there because of the Olympic mountains causing a lot of the wet weather to go around them they are still on the salt water on the Olympic Peninsula so salt air is a factor for rust. I personally think it’s A $2500 dollar car at best and the seller needs to spend some time in the city of Asotin Washington to see what a truly dry climate is
So, now the edit feature is down?
i can’t believe somebody took this to a show and got a trophy. what’s that say about the show? i would have left the show. 45yrs old or not all i see is a clean used car
perfect WB (2 dor? no, no, no, no, no), FWD, waggy? Scores close to 100%.
The 225/3.7 i6 would have brought it up to that (possible, wolwo hasa transverse i6).
million mi motor in THAT, sure, slush box’n all. I’d stumble’n fall if nxt to a similar Japanese (there were/are none so this is preferred, by me) but dont forget when buying ‘an older car’. It is contemporary to all that was standard then (mileage, comfort, safety, mechanical, etc). They are owned for what they are not comparable to today’s vehicles. I wish my fox-body waggy had FWD (’85 LTD). The ‘83 has the i6, mine the bent6 (232/3.8L). I’m thinkin the ford might B a lill more durable than dodge in body’n frame, interior, etc…
I agree with most that this would bring a lot of attention at a car show. I see a lot of people, including myself, bored with the rows of secretary cars (Mustangs) and Camaros. Good to see everyday drivers of the 70’s and 80’s at shows now. Even early 90’s.
Really great looking K wagon. I sure remember these back in the 80’s. I really don’t see why it’s such a shock to have this at a show and place a trophy. These were the cars we all remember but are long gone now. All we live in now is a sea of nondescript SUV’s and over sized trucks.
And it’s 43 years old now and easily fits into the “old car” category.
Great write up. Haven’t seen one of these is while!
I had an 86 model–one of the best cars I’ve ever owned. Had it Z-barted when new and the car was perfectly rust free for 11 years. Ran like a top. Should have gotten fixed after someone hit my right side.I really miss it.
I wonder if it was a “major award?”