Once I Found My 1979 Dodge Aspen Special Edition, I Drove It Everywhere
This story first appeared in the November/December 2024 issue of Hagerty Drivers Club magazine. Join the club to receive our award-winning magazine and enjoy insider access to automotive events, discounts, roadside assistance, and more.
I have a thing for beige Mopars, especially the F-body cars from the Malaise Era. In 2002, I was on the lookout for a Dodge Aspen or Plymouth Volare station wagon like the one my dad had when I was a kid. They were hard to find, even back then, and most examples were complete garbage. But I lucked out at that year’s Mopar Nationals, where a fellow collector of Mopar F-bodies was selling her 1979 Aspen wagon. It was a nice California car with no rust and original paint. I drove the car home that day from Columbus, Ohio, to Pennsylvania. The odometer showed 101,979.
I’ve kept my Aspen stock over the years with the only exception being the 17×8 Mustang wheels. It still has the original 318-cubic-inch V-8, four-barrel carburetor, and 2.45:1 rear axle gear. Surprisingly, the California emissions equipment and lean-burn spark computer have never given me problems.
Since buying it, I have put over 20,000 miles on the wagon, driving to shows and on vacation with my family. My wife and daughter like it because we get a lot of looks and comments wherever we go, and the R12 A/C works well. We’ve taken the Aspen to the Blue Ridge Parkway, Skyline Drive, the Poconos, and Glen Arbor, Michigan. It may be slow, but it arrives in style.
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I lived in Detroit from 1978-1981, and I would say to those owners of this Mopar vehicle:
“How’s your Aspen?” Most of them got it.
Love for Longtops
I was buying some 340 cylinder heads and the owner told me he couldn’t even get $75 for his 1979 rusted Aspen wagon, but I did. It was green with wood grain stickers, loaded with 318 and power seats. I washed it thoroughly drove it for 2 months. Sold it to a guy for $500 that pulled the drive train to put into a slant six aspen wagon. I loved that car.
While I can’t comment on the quality of the Dodge Aspen or Plymouth Volare, I thought they were very nicely styled cars, still do like its clean styling and this wagon is a fine example. I rented an Aspen for a week back in 77 and liked it even though it was a gutless wonder.
Totally agree. A friend had a long roof Aspen. Front fenders rusted in two years and were replaced at no cost. I will say, and this is just my opinion, those wheels and tires look horrible on that car.
Where’s the rest of the story? It’s like reading the last episode of The Sopranos.
Yes, it did end abruptly, like it was still in the middle of the story.
had Volare wagon in the mid 80s; slant 6, auto, refrigerator white, blue interior with cold a/c that I paid $200 for and spent about $100 on a couple of tires and minor repairs. I drove that car everywhere with zero problems and 20 mpg. I let my roommate use it as I had 2nd car and he crashed it into the gas pumps at the 7/11 doing a beer run which bent the frame so it wobbled like crazy when it was driven but it still ran fine. I gave it to my dad and he drove it with zero maintenance or repairs for at least another till he died, then someone else pulled the engine and put it in something else. You could not easily kill these things
Be sure & check your front brake hoses, that AWAYS go bad on Aspens & Volares.
I sold 100’s at our parts store back in the day.
Raybestos BH36830 & BH36831
I had a 1977 Plymouth Volare’ Premier. It was dark red with landau vinyl roof and “super six” (slant six with a 2-barrel). It drove really nice with the front torsion bar suspension and was extremely reliable. With the Volare’ name (“to fly”) was not accurate for the slant 6, “to float” may have been a better description – lol.
Fun fact I saw on Wikipedia for 1977 “The Plymouth Volaré was Canada’s top-selling car this year. Total production was 327,739 (Volaré) and 266,012 (Aspen).”
That’s a lot of good Mopar for the people.
Enjoy your super cool wagon and happy motoring!
My folks purchased a tan Dodge Aspen wagon in 1977. The car had the split bench, with the plaid inserts, Magnum 500 wheels, luggage rack, and wood sides. I always liked that car, and embraced station wagons to this very day! In December of 2004, I purchased a 1982 Ford Granada GL wagon. Carbed V6, loaded with options. I have put over 200,000 miles on this car and drive it daily. Since purchasing it, I have dropped the front end by cutting a coil, added true dual exhaust and Ansen Slotted mags.
A friend had a new 78 Le Baron Town & Country, basically the same car, only plusher. Nice car. Pretty much the last MOPAR wagons before the dawn of the minivan.
Bought a new 1977 Volare wagon with slant 6 and a ton of options including AC. One of the most comfortable cars I’ve owned. Except for routine maintenance, never in the shop.
One of these Aspens with a hi-power motor would be ultimate sleeper.
Gary now you are making me think of my Moms (Dad specified) 1973 Buick Estate wagon with a Stage 1 Performance specified 455 big block. She had legs. Too heavy but a blast when the 4-barrell let loose. I still have hearing damage from my Mom screaming, “Lewis slow down before you get us all killed!” Apples and Oranges to a mid size wagon like the Aspen but you stirred up another good memory.
My mom also had a ‘73 Buick Estate wagon 455. Pale yellow with wood grain. I was 16 at the time & the boat would fly!
Love the body style. Much nicer than a cheesy Volare wagon.
Gary, they made a 1979 Plymouth Volaré Road Runner and an Aspen R/T. Both available with 170 HP 360 4V
Those were a joke at best
My parents bought a Volare new. Silver with the slant 6. The Volare had a small wing/spoiler at the top of the tailgate. Wonder if it was an option or if it was a Volare only thing?
Good question. The idea was to help keep the rear window clean, back in the days before rear wipers became ubiquitous.
That reminds me of the time I was looking for a wagon.
I was at White Bear Dodge in White Bear,Minnesota looking at a brand new Aspen wagon.
I thought it was pretty nice until I noticed it said Aspen on one fender and Volare on the other!
Quality control at it’s finest!
I grew up with these cars. As a kid my dad always bought Valiants, Aspens and Volares. I learned to drive on a 65 Valiant. My first car was a 64 Valiant convertible with the 273 V8 and push button auto. By the time I got it it was fairly long in the tooth. Would love to find a wagon in good condition like this one.
Ahhhhhh great memories from “back in the days” when we had simple quality cars and didn’t live in a disposable society…just saying.