70,000 Genuine Miles: 1977 Dodge Aspen
The Dodge Aspen was the subject of an extensive development program aimed at increasing vehicle strength, lowering overall weight and improving aerodynamic efficiency to achieve the best fuel consumption figures possible. That so much effort resulted in the car only having a 4-year production life seems strange by today’s standards. You will find this 1977 Aspen listed for sale here on eBay. Located in Maple Valley, Washington, it comes with a clear title. Bidding has reached $1,025 but the reserve has not been met.
The fruit of the intensive development on the Aspen is visible in a number of areas on the vehicle. Over its development phase, the frontal contours of the car were softened, drip rails on the roof edges were removed, and even the internal air ducting in the car was configured to reduce aerodynamic drag. The result was an attractive looking car, and this particular Aspen looks to be a really nice example of the model. The seller is only the car’s second owner. It has traveled a claimed 70,000 genuine miles, but it would take a personal inspection to confirm whether this claim is feasible. The body looks to be straight, and the panels, paint, vinyl top and trim all appear to be in top condition.
For those of us of a more “senior” persuasion, it is easy to remember that brown was a common interior color of the 1970s and 1980s. The Aspen doesn’t disappoint on that front. Having said that, this interior does look to be in great condition. The carpet looks to be a bit faded, but those two great indicators of a tough life and high mileage, wheel wear and a cracked speaker grille in the dash pad both appear to have spared this Aspen. The seats and door trims look to be first rate.
There are no engine shots, but we do know that the Aspen is fitted with a 225ci slant-six engine backed by 3-speed TorqueFlite automatic transmission. The seller claims that the car runs and drives like new. This additional interior shot also tends to indicate how well this Aspen has been maintained and cared for throughout its life, as the interior looks virtually new.
This 1977 Aspen could either be viewed as an opportunity to enter the classic car fray with a relatively affordable car, or it could be used as a daily driver. The slant-six engine is a respectable performer, and the car does appear to be in good condition for its age. Searching around at what’s currently available indicates that while there were more than two million Aspens built during the four years of production, there seem to be very few original and unmolested examples in the marketplace. I’m going to be watching this auction because it will be interesting to see what the final sale price is.
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Comments
A person could probably daily this car forever. Unless you fail to fill it with oil, it’s almost impossible to kill a Chrysler slant six, and the Torqueflight is just as durable.
My high school buddy was given a similarly-equipped Dart from his grandfather. He hated the car, but couldn’t in good conscience reject the gift. Likewise, he couldn’t kill it to justify getting something else. I thought it was brilliant.
SS, yep, pretty damn fine, but Torqueflight? I have ruined three of them. Too bad it wasn’t a three speed, and with out that crummy opera window.
My friend’s 50 yr old chevy nova 250 & powerglide are still original & alive & kickin after 50 years. About 6k miles per year on the car.
Development program? , looks like duster platform body, beautiful but no air, always remember the way the starter sounds. On these, no other car makers had that sound when you turn the key.
This is the car that soured me on anything from the Chrysler corporation forever. The PoS they hung me with had a transmission problem that they either could not or would not fix. Seven times it went to the dealership on the hook of a tow truck. The car spent over a week there each time. That’s over 7 weeks of finding alternative means to get to work. No loaner car. In fact they acted like they were doing us a favor by “fixing ” it. One time after they “fixed” it and we went to pick it up the car would not move forward when placed in “Drive” and in fact rolled backward due to the 2% crossfall of the pavement in the parking lot. Lucky for them that it wouldn’t reverse either as I was so enraged I likely would have driven it through the showroom windows.
The fix finally occurred when a local transmission shop installed a rebuilt unit (case and all) from a wrecker. Totally at my cost of course.
I vowed then that I would never ever buy anything from Chrysler, ever. And I haven’t. Nor has anyone in my extended family. Prior to this crapmobile purchase we had been a Mopar family. Due to this experience, never again. Not now, not ever. Chrysler’s numerous brushes with oblivion are well earned. Too bad they have not yet vanished into the crap heap of rotten car companies.
Thanks for the memories. Just seeing this rolling turd raised my blood pressure 40 points. Even after 40+ years.
Aw, but it looks so sweet on the outside, but underneath, was the poster child of recalls. Almost single handedly took down Chrysler. Even Lee Iacocca said it himself, and I quote ” we sent a lot of crap out the door”. ( I’d vote for that guy for president)
Not to worry, they are nothing more than a FIAT brand now. And FIAT is synonymous with “Quality.”
Had one of these. Worst car, worst customer service ever. I haven’t bought a Chrysler product since then and never ever will. I won one once in a contest. Took a reduced cash prize instead. Bought a Honda. Still have it.
IDK, I don’t think any of the cars of that era were very good, some companies adapted to change better than others, Chrysler wasn’t one of them. You weren’t the only one, my old man HATED Chrysler products. As bad as these cars were, it’s amazing Chrysler rebounded with the mini-van, I consider one of the best cars made.
I’m not convinced that the cars of today are that much better frankly, but service has drastically improved. You can still get new lemons, however now it’s a loaner or a shuttle ride with free Wi-Fi in the waiting area that soothes the soul. Most dealership service bays you see are packed with newer cars under repair… those aren’t oil changes being performed.
I had one as a beater in around 1987. It was a green 1978 model with a 318 . A good car and got threw the snow okay. I drove it 2 years with nothing major going wrong. I like this one.
When this car came out the town officials of Aspen went on record that they were not happy that Dodge named this POS after their town. They were right.
Living in Colorado, it figures the vain people of Aspen might think that. It could have been named for the tree, you know, like the city was named for,,
I’ve never seen tilt wheel in one of these, very surprising. Too bad no AC. Reliable car for sure, and pretty comfortable, too. Just don’t let it get wet, they literally rotted away very quickly. My parent’s Aspen wagon had the top of it’s right fender with big holes in it, we thought we would eventually have to drill a hole and move the antenna before it fell through. The 70s were not good years for Chrysler products when it came to rust and rot.
Yea Mopar warranteed the front fenders for the rot. Front brake hoses split from a design flaw. And by the time thess came out they cheapened up the slant six, and I saw this indestructible eng go down hill. Front end and platform very different from the old dart and duster design. They really screwed up on this POS. was good for besiness though!!
Cheers
GPC
I didn’t know they they were warrantied. The car wasn’t that old when they first bought it, it might have still been covered. It also had a common problem with the HVAC controls, you had to hold the button in with pressure or the blower wouldn’t stay on. We replaced the whole controller, bought from a Dodge dealer, and it wasn’t long before that problem came back. Bad design. My Cordoba had the same problem. The Aspen also had numerous lifter ticks. I changed the valve cover gasket once, and noticed a lock nut and allen screw head on top of the rocker arms, but couldn’t believe this car, a 76 Dodge Aspen with the slant 6, still had solid lifters. I was too young to assert myself and try to adjust them myself, and my father wouldn’t touch it. So their car sounded like a diesel.
Why are all these practical cars so far away from me??…(Maryland). It doesn’t really matter which make or model. I like this one…but, distance…
These cars were a replacement for the “A” body Dart and Valiant and were developed in the same time frame (fairly short) that all other Chrysler products of the day had. The Aspen and Volare were only around for five model years, but the basic platform of the car continued on through 1989 as the Chrysler Fifth Avenue. The ’81 to ’83 Cordoba and Mirada shared this platform as did the ’61 to ’83 Imperial.
This particular car is an Aspen Custom. The exterior trim and seating confirms that. The NH at the beginning of the serial number also confirms it. The car is equipped with an optional vinyl roof, tilt steering column, and rally wheels. Let’s assume for the sake of conversation that it has power steering and power front disc/rear drum brakes along with that 225-2V (again confirmed by the vin) and torqueflite. There’s no cruise or a/c which makes sense when it’s for sale in the moderate climate of Washington state.
Still…a chance on a new platform against what – left over 60’s Nova….which I still like or what was Ford doing…the Granada’s….?
I feel bad for the people that had all the negative experiences in these. I had two different Aspens and neither was a creampuff. One was downright ridden hard and put up wet but both served me very well with virtually no problems. Guess maybe I was just lucky. I would but this car in a heartbeat (despite the boring color) if driveway space allowed and finances too.