1976 DODGE ASPEN SE STATION WAGON

1976 Dodge Aspen SE Additional Info:

Okay all you long-roof Mopar fans, here’s a 1976 Dodge Aspen SE Wagon in remarkably original condition, with a large pile of parts that will go with it.

This car was the last one owned by an elderly Mopar F-body collector, I’m guessing he kept this one due to its condition. I bought it in2021, it was in a carport where it sat for years, 95K was showing on the odo, and it was complete. A battery and some fresh gas later, I drove it onto my trailer. I have included a picture in “as-purchased” condition.

I got the car home, cleaned it up and returned it to good running and driving condition. I repaired anything that didn’t function, then replaced or overhauled anything that I figured might leave me sitting on the side of the road.

This included, but was not limited to:

All fluids and filters replaced, battery, overhauled carb, valve cover gaskets, tune-up, new master cylinder, new brake pads, rotors with wheel bearings and races, drums, new brake hoses, new rear wheel bearings and seals, starter, alternator, timing chain & gears, water pump, fuel pump, belts, coolant hoses, wiper transmission pivot bearings, turn signal switch,R-12 recharge, fuel and oil senders, cruise servo and new tires.

CONDITION:

1. BODY: as near as I can tell, most of the paint is original except for the fenders and some areas behind the lower quarters. We used to say “car needs paint”, but now we say “car has a fine patina”.

I assume the fenders were replaced under warranty, as this is an early production car (do a bit of research to find the story of the first F-bodies sold and the subsequent PR disaster).

There is some rust in the usual places, (lower fenders and lower quarters) but the rockers, pans, and rails are quite solid. At some point, someone “bobbed” the lower RH quarter behind the tire, it looks to me like this was done to cover damage rather than to eliminate rust. There is also rust in the inner fenders at the hood hinge gussets, I had to make a bracket for the passenger side because the hood hinge spring almost caused the base to break free. The original 3M “Di-Nok” woodgrain had faded badly, so I brush-painted new graining over the old vinyl with automotive enamel, it looks pretty good from 10 feet. I have neither addressed the rust nor attempted to hide it, I posted pictures warts and all. Sharp-eyed F-body fans may notice that the trim around the woodgrain is from a Volare wagon, I imagine the p.o. did this because the Aspen trim was painted, while the Volare trim was anodized. There are the usual door dings, dents, and scratches that come with decades of use.

2. INTERIOR: clean with moderate wear and tear. The dash pad is cracked, but this is one of the few parts for these cars that’s actually available in reproduction. Passenger seat is good, driver seat has wear/damage. The rear seat is good and matches the color, but it does not match the “woven vinyl” style of the front seat. I see no evidence that the rear seat has ever been out of the car, and the front seat is the correct CXE7 dark red vinyl. I actually worked at a Chrysler dealer during this era, I saw this kind of thing quite often. There was a whole lotta “dontgivadam” at the factories during the so-called “malaise era”, and it was amazing to me that so many customers never noticed these issues, or didn’t care.

3. DRIVELINE: 318, A-904, 8-1/4 with 2.94 gears. Engine runs well and pulls strong. There is bearing rattle at cold-start until the oil pressure kicks, this is very typical of 100k small blocks. It does use oil, a quart every 1.5k or so, and leaks a bit out of the valve covers and rear main, also typical. I have never seen smoke out of the tail pipe. Transmission works as it should, as does the rear end. Suspension, steering, brakes, and shocks operate normally for its age and era. Exhaust is tight, catalytic converter is still there. Average MPG runs 13-16.

4. DRIVEABILITY: The car starts, runs and drives normally for its age and era. I’ve put over 7K on it in the two years I’ve owned it, and it’s never let me down.

The engine can be fussy when cold, idle can be erratic until it warms up. Most of the pre-heating aids are inoperative, and the heat riser is wired open. (These engines run lean by nature, they have very low compression and greatly retarded timing to run on cheap gas when there was such a thing. This means they have a very low power output and are famous for lean-surging when set to factory specs. I’ve found that advancing the timing and running mid-grade fuel results in much more pep and better mileage.)

The Magnum 500 style wheels were added with the new tires, there is a light degree of shimmy above 65, which phases in and out. Numerous attempts at balancing had no effect, I suspect one or more of the wheels are the culprit.

The AC and heat both work well, but the p.o. removed the lower plenum for some reason. This means there are no floor air vents, so during winter you push the “vent” button and slide the lever over to “heat”.You’ll get plenty of warm air, but it will only come out of the dash vents.

The rear window defroster grid won’t stay on for more than an instant when activated, I suspect it’s the relay/timer. I didn’t address it because I never needed it.

The p.o. removed the clock and installed an aftermarket intermittent windshield wiper timer, which works great.

The radio works, but there’s a high degree of frequency drift and a scratchy volume pot.

The cruise control works at this writing, but I have patched the diaphragm twice, and a third failure is probably imminent.

5. I have a huge pile of mostly mechanical parts, NOS aftermarket, NOS Mopar, and good used, that will go with the car. There’s too much to list but here are the high points: several NOS bumpers, an NOS Roof Rack, exhaust parts including a cat converter, wheel covers including two sets of used 14”wires, carb kits, carbs, AC parts, hoses, brake parts, gaskets, shocks, ignition parts, filters, lenses, motor mounts, and more. Please know that “NOS” does not mean “perfect”, as decades of shelf wear and movement can take its toll. It might be a challenge to get it all inside the car, but it’s all included.

6. CONCLUSION: Aspen and Volare wagons used to be everywhere, now they’re exceedingly rare. This car gets lots of attention, thumbs up, and I hear “wow, I haven’t seen one of those in thirty years!” quite often. It would be a great candidate for restoration, or maybe a gen 3 hemi swap, or just do what I did and drive it. I’m selling because at this point I need the shop space more than I need the car.

Here’s a fun fact: the Aspen was voted Motor Trends “1976Car of the Year”, although they spent the next 46 years apologizing for it. Personally, I think the Aspen/Volares got a bum rap. In my opinion they were no worse than any other American car of the era.

If the new owner wants to drive it home instead of trailering it, I believe the car to be as roadworthy as any original 47-year-old car can be. Of course, there are certainly no guarantees made. Remember that it was designed in an era when cars were engineered to last less than 10 years before being tossed into the crusher. It may go for thousands more trouble-free miles as it did for me, or it may break down an hour after you pick it up. Also, younger people should know that it does not drive, stop, or handle like a modern car. Did I mention that it’s 47 years old?

The car can be seen in the NE Atlanta area, I would encourage anyone who is interested to come and kick the tires.

Thanks for your interest!