The Dodge Aspen, which was produced during the 1976 to the 1980 model years, was a compact car, along with its then-concurrent Plymouth branded counterpart, the Volaré (Spanish for "I will fly away" or "I will blow away", Italian for "to fly"), which was launched as a four-door wagon, a four-door sedan and a two-door coupe. By the end of their production run, the Aspen and Volaré would be considered intermediate cars.
The Dodge Aspen and Plymouth Volaré were introduced during the fall of 1975 as 1976 models, and were collectively named Motor Trend's "Car of the Year" for 1976. They were the successors to the A-body — Dodge Dart and Plymouth Valiant/Plymouth Duster, which concurrently were sold along with Aspen and Volaré during the early part of the 1976 model year until they both were discontinued. The Aspen and Volaré both were replaced by the smaller front-wheel-drive K-cars — 1981 Dodge Aries/Plymouth Reliant, 1982 Dodge 400/Chrysler LeBaron and the M-body — 1982 Dodge Diplomat/Plymouth Gran Fury four-door sedans, which were very similar in structure, size, and engineering to the F-body Aspen and Volaré. The Aspen and Volaré 2-door coupes had a 108.7-inch (2,760 mm) wheelbase, the 4-door sedans and 4-door wagons rode on a 112.7-inch (2,860 mm) wheelbase.
Production history
The vehicle was wind-tunnel tested to be aerodynamically sound in its fuel conservation potential as the complete aerodynamics development program included a wide range studies from drag reduction to crosswind stability, wind noise and ventilation performance. The effects of this testing resulted in softened front end contours, removal of drip troughs and helped shaped internal air flow ducting. Body engineering in the Aspen was executed using computer technology; unit body engineering was conducted by use of clear plastic stress models that showed up stress points before any sheet metal was formed. Weight reduction to provide maximum fuel economy was achieved through use of thinner glass, lighter weight side door beams and HSLA brackets and reinforcements that were four times as strong as conventional mild steel. A reduced number of stampings resulted in better panel fits and fewer welds. The Aspen had improved visibility and compared with other Dodge compacts, the Aspen provided a total glass area increase of 25% on two-door models and 33% on sedans.
Wheel alignment adjustments such as caster and camber could be made by removing plates over the wheel housings. The new isolated transverse suspension system was a substantial departure from the longitudinal torsion bars Chrysler had introduced in 1957 and used on all models since that year, until the release of the F-bodies. The transverse (side-to-side) bars were not as geometrically favorable, but saved space and weight. In addition, the new front suspension system was touted as giving a "big car ride" as the suspension had a low, or softer, fore and aft compliance which allowed the wheel to move rearward instead of straight up and down when the tire encountered an object, dampening the blow and rolling with the condition of the road. The two parallel torsion bars and an anti-sway bar were mounted forward of the front wheels, integrated into a spring-strut front suspension. These components were attached to a K-shaped structural crossmember. The K-shaped crossmember was isolated from the unitized car body by four rubber mounts. This transverse torsion bar suspension was also incorporated into the M- and J-body cars. The conventional leaf spring rear suspension was also rubber-isolated, so there was no metal-to-metal path through which road noise or vibration can be transmitted to the body; even the steering column was isolated.
Marketing
R. M. "Ham" Schirmer, manager of Dodge car and corporate advertising for Chrysler, said that the Aspen name originated from the codename Aspen-Vail when the project for it and the Plymouth "sister car" began in 1971. "Aspen is a very pleasant name, " Schirmer said, "people think of the outdoors, but not necessarily skiing when they hear it. . . It won't inhibit where we want to position the car because it's basically neutral." Nonetheless, Chrysler sponsored the 1976 Dodge Aspen Team K2 Freestyle and opened up World Pro Skiing's seventh season in Aspen, Colorado as the Dodge Aspen Cup running courses on Aspen Highlands and Aspen Mountain. In print and media actor Rex Harrison was spokesman for the Aspen, whose advertising campaign was inspired by the "Ascot Gavotte" scene in Harrison's My Fair Lady. A patter song was spoken in rhythm, by Harrison, as "Unbelievable." Singer Sergio Franchi was the spokesman for the Volaré and sang the pop song "Volare", with altered lyrics, in TV and radio commercials. The accent mark used in the car's name is not in the Italian word or the song title; Volaré commercials described it as an "accent on quality". "Volaré" in Spanish with the accent translates as "I will fly".
Aspen R/T
The Aspen R/T coupe was the "performance" trim level of the Aspen and came with E70x14 tires, rallye wheels, a grille blackout treatment, body striping, as well as 'R/T' decals and medallions. A 360 cu in (5.9 L) V8 option, with a 170 hp (127 kW; 172 PS) and 280 lb⋅ft (380 N⋅m) of torque, was offered along with overdrive-4 transmission. This was unavailable in California because the engine, which averaged 15.2 mpg‑US (15.5 L/100 km; 18.3 mpg‑imp) did not meet California fuel economy regulations.[4] In a Motor Trend road test, a 360 R/T turned in a standing quarter mile at 17.4 seconds at a speed of 86.1 miles per hour (138.6 km/h).[4] The R/T made a 60 to 95 mph (97 to 153 km/h) run in 13.8 seconds. The Plymouth version of the car was called the Volaré Road Runner.
Station wagons
Station wagons were available in both model lines, all featuring liftgates with fixed rear windows. These models had a cargo volume of 71.9 cubic feet (2.04 m3) and load capacity of 1,100 lb (500 kg), which was 100 lb (45 kg) less than the intermediate and standard size Chrysler wagons. The liftgate opening was nearly 4 ft (1.2 m) wide and 27.6 in (70 cm) high. With the rear seat folded down, the cargo area was 74 in (190 cm) long at the belt line and 43.2 in (110 cm) wide between the wheel houses. Premium station wagons in either the Aspen SE or Volaré Premier series featured simulated woodgrain on its exterior side panels. 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 Volaré. Side covers of the cargo area were made of one-piece injection molded polypropylene. Covered, lockable stowage compartments of 1.5 cu ft (42 l) capacity were provided in these panels; these compartments were standard on the Aspen SEs and optional on the low-line wagons.
1976
The replacement for the venerable Dart, the Aspen would share the same engines and three-box body style with its predecessor, but not much else.
Available as a 4-door wagon, 4-door sedan or 2-door coupe, it came in three trim levels - base, Custom and SE (Special Edition). Coupes featured frameless door glass but a thick "B" pillar was used, replacing the popular hardtop body style of the Dart. The performance R/T package came only on the coupe and featured a 318 cu in (5.2 L) V8 standard or an optional 360 cu in (5.9 L) V8 with either a 2- or 4-barrel carburetor. The 225 cu in (3.7 L) Slant Six was standard across the line, and was available in most states with a choice of a 1- or 2-barrel carburetor. Total production was 189,900 (Aspen) and 255,008 (Volaré).
1977
The Aspen's second year was mostly a carryover. A new T-top was added to the coupé's options. The R/T package added a "Super Pak" option. This consisted of front and rear spoilers, wheel opening flares and louvred rear windows. A new stripe kit was also added as well. An R/T equipped with this package became a "Super R/T". The Volaré was Canada's top selling car this year. Total production was 266,012 (Aspen) and 327,739 (Volaré). The 3 speed manual with column shifter was last available in 1977.
Source: Wikipedia
Plymouth Volare (1977)
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