- See also: Chrysler Aspen
1977 Plymouth Volare sedan
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 Dodge Aspen and Plymouth Volare were introduced in the fall of 1975 as 1976 models. They were collectively named Motor Trend's "Car of the Year" for 1976. They were the successors to the A body Valiant and Dart (along with their like-bodied but other-named friends). The A body continued on through the 1976 model year alongside the new models and was then dropped.
The Aspen and Volare were produced for 5 model years--1976 through 1980--and were replaced by the smaller, 4 cylinder, front wheel drive K body Dodge Aries and Plymouth Reliant for the 1981 model year. (Many would argue that they were actually replaced by the M body Dodge Diplomat and Plymouth Gran Fury, but these occupied a higher price class, albeit using a very similar platform, body, and drivetrain).
The Aspen and Volare were designed to be somewhat more luxurious than the A body models, at least in the most expensive models. The new cars also continued the A body pattern of giving coupes and sedans different wheelbases. Aspen and Volare 2 doors had a 108.7 inch wheelbase (similar to the 108" Duster and Dart Sport). Four door F bodies got a 112.7 inch wheelbase, making them slightly bigger than the Dart and Valiant, which rode a 111" wheelbase. The F body also featured a 4 door station wagon (on the 112.7" wheelbase), something Chrysler did not have in their compact line since the Dart wagon of 1966.
The Aspen/Volare twins were light enough that with certain engines, they were rather potent--tests from car magazines of the day revealed that the 1977 360-engined Aspen, with a two barrel carb, was about on a par from zero to sixty miles per hour as the 1977 Camaro Z28 and Corvette L82, both with four barrel 350s. All three of these cars were faster than the 1977 Trans Am 400-4. The Aspen was a bit slower by the clock but faster through the traps in the quarter mile than all of the other three from GM. The 318 offered more sedate, everyday performance. It was obviously less powerful, but it performed about the same as its competing models with similar-sized engines of the day.
The Volaré is commonly pronounced with the emphasis on the second syllable, despite the accent.
Production history
Although their designs were basically sound and well-engineered, the early F-bodies were plagued by poor production quality. In fact, in his autobiography, Lee Iacocca acknowledged that the Aspen and Volare were probably rushed to market too soon, causing first year buyers to act as final model testers. This was true mostly of the 1976 models, since the 1977 models were considerably better quality-wise. Several recalls were undertaken on the 1976 and 1977 models; most were minor. However, the most serious of these cost Chrysler millions of dollars, which at the time, Chrysler could ill afford. In 1978, Chrysler recalled every 1976 and 1977 Aspen and Volare for possible replacement of the front fenders, which were prematurely rusting. Many cars got new fenders, painted in the proper color. Galvanized sheetmetal was phased in for the body, along with full inner front fender liners made of polyethylene (plastic) to solve the rust problem once and for all. A large number of powertrain changes, particularly in ignition and fuel delivery, were also made to improve driveability.
After 1977, F-bodies had few problems with rusting or quality control. A note about the early models' quality: this was largely an issue of perception, based on minor recalls and flaws in body construction. However, the body was much more visible than the tough drivetrain. The 1979 and 1980 cars were also relatively unaffected by recalls or quality issues, and were similar in that regard to their contemporaries.
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 Premiers, 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 same engines and basic body style with its predecessor, but not much else. Even Chrysler's longitudinal 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. In addition, the new front suspension system gave it a "big car" ride by increasing handling and reducing road vibration at the same time.
This was not the first time transverse torsion bars were used in a production vehicle - the VW Type 3 used a modified version of the Volkswagen Beetle's front suspension.
Although transverse torsion bars were previously used by the U.S. military and part of the Volkswagen Beetle's front suspension, Chrysler's transverse torsion bar suspension was later incorporated into the M and J platform.
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 an optional 360 in³ V8 with either a 2 or 4-barrel carburetor. The 225 in³ "Slant Six" I6 was standard across the line.
Volarés were fitted with a Mercedes-Benz-like front grille, whereas the Aspen had a blackout grille.
Total production was 189,900 (Aspen) and 255,008 (Volaré).
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 (Aspen) and 327,739 (Volaré).
1978
1978 Plymouth Volare sedan
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, similar to the Volaré (the Volaré's grille was restyled with an eggcrate pattern). 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.
The Super Coupe came with GR60x15 Goodyear GT radial tires mounted on 15x8 wheels, a heavy duty suspension with rear sway bar, a matte black finish on the hood and came only in one color - Sable Tan Sunfire Metallic. Special three color (orange, yellow and red) stripes separated the body color from the matte black colors. Only 531 were built.
The Kit Car, made in honor of NASCAR legend Richard Petty, was supposed to look as much like a race car as possible. The wheels had no hubcaps, the wheel opening flares had a bolted on look, and even the windshield had metal tie downs just like the race cars. Unlike a racecar, the Kit Car came standard with an automatic transmission. A special addition was a decal kit with large door mountable "43" decals and 360 decals for the hood. These decals were shipped in the trunk either to be installed by the dealer or by the owner. Most people however, left them in the trunk. It only came in one color - a special two-tone red. The Kit Car would prove to be one of the rarest Aspens ever built, as only 145 were ever built.
A new Sunrise package, similar to the Volare's Duster package, was also new. This consisted mainly of new stripes and louvered rear windows. This was only available on the coupe.
Wider taillight lenses with amber reflectors were phased in, replacing the Plymouth Valiant/Duster-styled lenses on both Aspen and Volare coupes and sedans.
Total production came to 166,419 (Aspen) and 217,795 (Volaré).
1979
1979 Dodge Aspen R/T coupe
Not much would change for the Aspen in its second to last year of production (the only change was the taillight lenses from the previous year - the amber reflectors were eliminated). The packages from last year continued into this year, with the exception of the Super Coupe and Kit Car. A new 85 mph speedometer, new colors and a diagnostic connector for the engine would be as exciting of a change as it would get for this year. The station wagon would add a "Sport Wagon" package to its option list, which added special stripes, a front airdam, and wheel arch flares.
Total production came to 121,354 (Aspen) and 178,819 (Volaré).
1980
For its last year of production, the Aspen sported a brand new front fascia (with square headlights, similar to the 1979 Chevrolet Nova and/or Ford Fairmont) that included a hood, fenders and front bumper shared with the concurrent Dodge Diplomat. But nothing much changed beyond that. Special and Premier packages were made available. The Special came only on the sedan and coupe. The R/T package was installed only on 285 Aspens for this year before the Aspen name as well as the R/T badge would be "placed into storage" for the next decade or so. Total production came to 67,318 (Aspen) and 90,063 (Volaré). The Aries replaced the Aspen for 1981, with another Aspen successor, the 400 arriving in 1982.
2007
The Aspen name returned for the 2007 model year with the Chrysler Aspen, a rebadged Dodge Durango.
Trivia
- The Chrysler F platform on which the Aspen and Volare were based on spawned two platforms, the Chrysler J platform and the Chrysler M platform.
- Actor Rex Harrison (of My Fair Lady fame) was the spokesman for the Aspen, while singer Sergio Franchi was the spokesman for the Volare, singing the song of the same name in TV commercials with altered lyrics.
- From 1976 to 1977, Chrysler Australia was having some serious thought of replacing their Valiant with this car. This did not happen and the Valiant that had debuted in 1971 would soldier on until 1981, becoming the last Chrysler product built in Australia.
- Between 1977 and 1979, Monteverdi, a Swiss small volume speciality car maker, would build a modified version of this car, the Sierra, to compete (although rather unsuccessfully) in Europe's luxury car market.
- Although the Volare/Aspen bodystyle was sold in Mexico after 1976 (the F-body was introduced for the 1977 model year), they continued to use the Dart nameplate (the Valiant nameplate was used on the coupe, marketed as the Dodge Valiant Volare, and the sedan, coupe, and wagon as the Dart). The only discernible difference between the US version is that the Valiant Volare had the Aspen grille (the Mexican Super Bee version had the Valiant nameplate on the grille in place of the DODGE lettering) and Volare taillights, and the Dart had the Aspen taillights and Volare grille (for the upscale models; base Mexican Darts had the Aspen grilles). A Super Bee version (indigenous to Mexico) was marketed.
- The Mopar transverse torsion bar front suspension (commonly known as the Volaré torsion bar to truck builders) has been a usual IFS swap for 1950s-era pickup trucks - especially with the Ford F100.
- On the TV series Fantasy Island, Chrysler supplied either a Volaré (or Aspen) station wagon which was fitted with a surrey top and a lifted suspension much similar to a modern-day sport utility vehicle. The 'safari' wagon seen on the TV series was driven by the lead character Mr. Roarke, portrayed by then-Chrysler pitchman Ricardo Montalbán (at the time, was appearing in commercials for the Chrysler Cordoba).
- The Sylvester Stallone film Cobra featured 2 Volarés (a 1979 and 1980 sedan) - the villain was seen driving a 1979 sedan where its front sheetmetal was shredded in a back alley; while a 1980 sedan was seen driven by Stallone's partner (it was t-boned by a Ford F-250 extended cab pickup - during this scene, a Dodge logo is seen on the header panel).
- In the film The Falcon and the Snowman, the Mexico City police vehicles were Mexican-market Aspens (known as the Mexican Dodge Dart).
- NPR Car Talk listeners had written in to the program and commented on the Dodge Aspen, and Plymouth Volare, regarding the vehicles short comings, and the Magliozzi brothers subsequently gave the models a 7th place for "Worst Cars of the Last Millennium."
- In the movie Bon Cop Bad Cop, Patrick Huard's character owns a beat-up Volaré with jacked rear suspension and 22inch rear wheels. It eventually gets blown up, a witness in the trunk.
- In the movie Ruthless People, Judge Reinhold's character is chased by police while driving a beat-up yellow Volaré, which ends up being driven off the end of the Santa Monica Pier.
References
- 2007 Car Talk Calendar, page for 9 April 2007, published by Chronicle Books.
- Standard Catalog of Chrysler 1914-2000. Second Edition. Edited by James T. Lenzke.
- The Plymouth Volare and Dodge Aspen. Obtained from http://www.allpar.com/model/aspen
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