Cars - Dodge Aspen

Home > Listing Index > Cars > Dodge Aspen

	Cars - Dodge Aspen

The Dodge Aspen (produced from 1976 to 1980) was a compact car from Chrysler Corporation's Dodge division; its rebadged counterpart was the Plymouth Volaré. It was launched as a two-door coupe, a four-door sedan, and a unique-for-the-segment station wagon. It replaced the Dodge Dart. By the end of their production run, the Aspen and Volare would be considered intermediate cars.

The name Volare is Latin, meaning "to fly", and was the name of a popular late 1950s Domenico Modugno song. The Aspen's name was derived from Aspen, Colorado. The Volare replaced the aging Plymouth Valiant.

Production history

The Aspen and Volaré were very popular initially. Motor Trend magazine designated them its Car of the Year for 1976. However, due to a rush to production and quality control problems, the first two model years were plagued with problems, most notably front fender rust as well as several manufacturer recalls for other issues (brakes, suspension, fuel systems, steering, and the notorious Chrysler "Lean Burn" computerized ignition). The recall for the rust problems cost Chrysler about $109 million USD. The Aspen and Volare would achieve one of the worst recall records of the 1970s. Aside from these public (and the rust's visually noticeable) problems, the cars were very likable. Deluxe models were very poshly equipped for the price. Its drivetrain was considered extremely reliable and hardy.

Despite all these problems, the Aspen/Volare twins would sell very well for their entire run. In spite of all of these early problems, the Aspen/Volare twins would prove to be extremely reliable cars. The 1978 to 1980 models were recall-free, but the bad press had taken hold. The Aspen never dropped below 100,000 units sold until its final model year. The sedan's basic design would continue through the 1980s as the downsized Plymouth Gran Fury, Dodge Diplomat, and Chrysler Fifth Avenue.

Two severe problems with the first two model years were their tendency towards rusting, caused primarily due to a poor paint process, and front suspension problems leading to a recall, with Chrysler installing additional "straps" at each front wheel. Rapid ball joint and brake shoe wear, early feedback carburetor systems, and vacuum leaks in the extremely complicated pre-electronic fuel injection emissions controls were all easily rectified; complete amputation of the Lean-Burn computer system and replacement with the same electronic ignition module used on 1973 to 1976 model Valiants and Darts yield an Aspen/Volare as reliable as its predecessors. However, these remedies were understandably unappealing to new car buyers, who simply wanted a reliable car.

Station wagons

Station wagons were available in both model lines, all featuring liftgates with fixed rear windows. Premium station wagons in either the Aspen SE or Volare Premier series featured simulated woodgrain trim along its exterior sides. On Aspen SEs, the woodgrain was framed in simulated blond (painted metal) wood-look trim. On the Premier's, the side panels were trimmed in stainless steel frames accented in matte black. Aside from the brand badging and grilles unique on each brand, this station wagon trim element remains one of the few visual clues that differentiated the Aspen from the Volare.

1976

The first year of the Aspen was met with much fanfare and sales. The replacement for the venerable Dart, the Aspen would share the engines with its predecessor but not much else - even Chrysler's excellent torsion bar suspension was revamped with transverse torsion bars, which weren't as geometrically favorable as the longitudinal bars of the Valiant and Dart, but saved space and weight. Built on the new F-body chassis, the Aspen was dubbed "the family car of the future". Available as a 2-door coupe, 4-door sedan or 4-door station wagon, it came in three trim levels - base, Custom and SE (Special Edition). The performance R/T package came only on the coupe and featured a 318 in³ V8 standard or a optional 360 in³ V8 with either a 2 or 4-barrel carburetor. The 225 in³ "Slant Six" was standard across the line.

Total production was 189,900.

1977

Nothing much changed for the Aspen's second year. A new T-top was added to the coupe's option list this year. The R/T package added a "Super Pak" option. This consisted of front and rear spoilers, wheel opening flares and louvered rear windows. A new stripe kit was also added as well. An R/T equipped with this package became a "Super R/T". The Volare was Canada's top selling car this year.

Total production was 266,012.

1978

The Aspen went through numerous changes for 1978. The three trim lines were consolidated into one. The Custom and Special Edition lines were still available but were now reduced to option packages. The Aspen also received a new front fascia. But the most exciting news were the new, one-year-only performance packages - the Super Coupe and Kit Car. Both packages used the same performance exterior add-ons as the "Super Pak", now renamed the "Sport Pak", but came in different colors as well as different options.

[ Visit the complete Wikipedia entry for Dodge Aspen ]

This page is based on the copyrighted Wikipedia article Dodge Aspen; it is used under the GNU Free Documentation License. You may redistribute it, verbatim or modified, providing that you comply with the terms of the GFDL.