— Produced from 1976 to 1980, replaced Valiant/Duster and Dart/Sport models
— F-body platform with new Transverse Front Suspensions
— Performance-themed versions: Dodge R/T Aspen, Plymouth Road Runner

Chrysler Corporation had a fantastic run with their 1967 and up model year Dodge Dart and Plymouth Valiant lines, these A-body “compacts” were very popular cars that were top sellers for both divisions. The Plymouth Duster, which was based on the Valiant, came in 1970 and came to be a big segment of the overall A-body success story, and Dodge debuted their “Demon” Duster equivalent for 1971, later changing the name to Dart Sport. These vehicles were a major part of what had kept Chrysler Corporation going through the “gas crunch” of the 1970s. However, by the time the 1976 model year had come around, it had become time for new replacements.

This recap shows some of the variety of Mopar_® vehicles that have long been overlooked by enthusiasts and history buffs, and the fact remains that they were an important part of Mopar history, as they took over in their time from the aging but beloved Darts and Valiant cars. It was indeed an interesting time for Dodge and Plymouth lovers of that era.

MOTOR TREND CAR OF THE YEAR

For 1976, Motor Trend Magazine named the Aspen/Volaré “Car of The Year” which greatly helped launch the cars at the dealerships. Media exposure like this was important as these new vehicles were essentially “endorsed” by a major automotive publication. Here’s how editor Mike Knepper described them: “We believe the new Chrysler Corporation small cars make the most significant contribution to the automotive world for 1976. Chrysler started with a clean sheet of paper.” The cars were also hailed by Consumer Reports magazine, citing their modern design and good performance. Included in the lines were four-door sedans and station wagons, in addition to the 2-door coupes. The standard engines from Mopar were available, the 225-cid “Slant Six,” and the 318- and 360-cid V8s. The sporty models were the “R/T” from Dodge and “Road Runner” from Plymouth, with bucket seats and sunroofs, both desirable options.

ALL-NEW WIND-TUNNEL-TESTED STYLING

Designed with a clean sheet of paper, in came the Dodge Aspen and Plymouth Volaré, brand-new platforms that differed greatly from the previous Darts, Dusters and Valiants. These F-body cars were freshly styled and more aerodynamic, and the base models came with the tried-and-true Slant Six engine. 

REVISED FRONT SUSPENSION

Rather than sticking with the traditional “Torsion-Aire” design that Chrysler cars had since the 1957 model year, a new “transverse” torsion bar front suspension system was designed for the Aspen and Volaré. It used a new H-shaped cross-member that was isolated from the body with four rubber mounts. The L-shaped torsion bars were mounted forward of the front wheels, and supported by a hefty anti-roll bar.

MAGAZINE TESTING

Here’s a Dodge Aspen R/T going through testing for Motor Trend Magazine, with high praise of its steering control from the editor: “The steering was quick and responsive, with just the right amount of resistance and return in the power steering valving. The feel was light but not too much so.”

AVAILABLE 360 4BBL POWER

The top engine for these cars was the Carter Thermo-Quad four-barrel 360-cid, 5.9L V8, with (1979 model) 195 HP (net rating) at 4,000 rpm using 8.0:1 compression ratio. These engines helped keep the law enforcement sales going all the way until the 1989 model year end of production of the M-body 4-door sedan.  

BEEP BEEP ROAD RUNNER

The Road Runner Package came with heavy-duty suspension, blacked-out grille and body side tape stripes. Shown here is the Spitfire Orange High Impact Paint 1977 “Front Runner” version, which included Super Pac optional front and rear spoilers, flared wheel openings, plus louvered rear side windows. E70 x 14 raised white lettered Goodyears with Rallye wheels gave a familiar Mopar muscle look. Top engine was 360 V8 with 4bbl, Electronic Lean Burn System (emissions, used lean fuel mixtures during part-throttle operation, averaging 18-to-1 air/fuel ratio).

The Road Runner Super Pak was a dress-up package that, according to this dealer promotion, “will help bring in showroom traffic and rev up interest” to Chrysler/Plymouth dealers that were getting in the new-for-1976 Duster replacement vehicles. “Hot Lips” and “Sexy Eyes” described the wheel opening flares and louvered quarter windows.

1978 “Road Runner Sport Pak” edition.

DODGE’S R/T VERSION

Even though Dodge promoted their new Dart replacement Aspen as “The Family Car of The Future”, this particular ad for the R/T (Road and Track) was definitely aimed at the youth market. R/T models were priced at $196.00 more than a standard Aspen, and came with the 318-cid V8 engine. 

This advertisement for the 1976 Aspen R/T plays up freestyle skier Wayne Wong and also highlight the optional fold down rear seat, which provides over six feet of carpeted cargo space (perfect for two pairs of skies as pointed out in the ad copy). Rallye wheels without chrome beauty rings were part of the R/T package.

Shown is the 1977 Aspen R/T, the basic package was heavy-duty suspension, distinctive stripes, R/T quarter panel markings, blacked-out grille and rallye wheels on E70 x 14 Polyglas raised white lettered tires. The 318-cid V8 as standard, with three-speed manual floor shift. TorqueFlite^® 3-speed automatic optional and an optional four-speed manual with overdrive was available for top economy. The 360-cid V8 was top engine option.

The 1977 “R/T Super Pak” Aspen came equipped with HD suspension, front sway bar, E70 x 14 raised white lettered tires, blacked-out grille, plus had wheel “pants”, a one-piece rear spoiler and vertical-slatted rear side window coverings. Top engine was the Lean Burn 360 4bbl.     

Chrysler’s advertising agency had a little retro fun with this ad that appeared in Hot Rod Magazine, promoting the 1978 “R/T Sport Pak” edition of the Dodge Aspen (included a three-piece rear deck spoiler). With posters in the background of Super Bee Coronet, Six Pack, Challenger R/T and Charger Super Bee, the general theme of “performance” is still around at Dodge dealerships.

Included in this 1979 “Big Car” feel ad showing a T-Bar optioned Aspen Coupe, is a reference about buyer protection. Because there was serious rust-out problems with the first model year run of F-body cars, the factory did extensive rust protection work, and for 1979, they had their “36 Month Chrysler Anti-Corrosion Warranty” to show customers that steps had been taken to solve the rusting issues and the factory backs it up for 3 years.

SUPER COUPE

1978 Aspen “Super Coupe” had similar features as the R/T but with unique front spoiler, flat black hood, top and deck, special full wrap wheel flares and flat black color-keyed bumpers and trim, special Yellow/Blue/Orange striping. Color was exclusive: Sable Tan Sunfire Metallic. GR60 x 14 raised white lettered tires mounted on wide (eight-inch) steel wheels. It is believed only 531 buyers put up the extra $1,400.00 for this stylish package. (Records indicate 494 Volaré Super Coupes built, Crimson Sunfire with Yellow/Red/Orange striping.)

SPORT WAGON

The station wagon lovers got an extra treat in 1979 with the Dodge Aspen Sport Wagon (pictured) and Volaré Wagon with Sport Package. These performance-themed wagons featured bucket seats, Tuff steering wheel, body-color outside mirrors, wheel opening flares, front air dam, blacked-out grille and subtle striping. Cast aluminum wheels gave these wagons a real muscular flavor. The 360 4bbl V8 was an available powerplant, and could be ordered with the Heavy-Duty Trailer Assist Option, which included 3.20:1 rear gears.

RICHARD PETTY STREET VERSIONS

New for 1978 was the “A43 Street Kit Car Package” which was a showroom salute to Richard Petty for an additional $1,100.00. These are rare finds today, just 247 Volaré and 145 Aspens were built with the Petty treatment (“43” decals were in the trunk when purchased).

“Our street kit will give people a chance to drive a Saturday night short track racer seven days a week,” said Dick Maxwell, who headed Chrysler’s Performance Planning Group. “We can’t build a real race car anymore — those days are gone,” he told the motoring press at the release of the street #43 car. “So you can build a car that looks like a race car — in this case, a put-on short-track car.” A43 was stamped on the fender tag and here’s the complete listing of what the option consisted of:

Special 2 tone paint (Red on Dodge, Blue on Plymouth), front air spoiler below the bumper, decorative hood pins, full wheel opening flares, quarter window louvers, rear deck spoiler with adjustable blade, “360 CU IN” decals on hood, “43” door and roof decals, Tuff steering wheel, 15 x 8″ road wheels and bright lug nuts, GR60 x 15 Aramid fiber belted RWL radial-ply tires, windshield retention clips and backlight retention straps, rear sway bar, required equipment: TorqueFlite automatic trans, power disc brakes. 

ASPEN PRO STOCK

First constructed in early 1977 by well-known Chrysler factory-sponsored racer Don Carlton, this is the rebuilt and updated car now owned by Mike and Rhonda Ricketts. Featuring an all-out 504-cid HEMI^® engine and magnesium Dana 60 rear differential housing, it’s a very rare car as only a handful of F-body Pro Stockers were ever constructed. Painted up in the “Mopar Missile” paint scheme that Carlton was known for with the Plymouth Duster he drove prior. Chassis builder Jerry Bickel had updated the rear suspension and a 1980 fiberglass front clip was added, along with a lay-down rear spoiler. This is a tribute car of sorts and very well detailed, right down to the gold anodized Cragar “Super Trick” spun aluminum race wheels and gold-impregnated lettering.

Author: James Maxwell