“Generally a ‘cut price’ automobile seems to be lower than a cut price when you’ve gotten it geared up the best way you need.” So opens the textual content of {a magazine} advert for the 1980 Dodge Aspen Particular, a automobile so bereft of content material it will not look misplaced on the lot of a Moscow used-car retailer.
For people not within the know, the Aspen was already one thing of an automotive equipment, that includes pedestrian design, underwhelming efficiency, and, sadly, a fame for disappointing reliability. As for the Aspen Particular particularly, learn on…
The compact Aspen, and it’s corporate-clone cousin the Plymouth Volaré have been, by 1980, horribly dated technically, and have been largely offered on worth. A major share of interval gross sales have been to authorities fleets, this to the dismay of many cops and low-level bureaucrats.
And to hit a worth level that met the calls for of fleet consumers and the nation’s thriftiest motorists, Dodge supplied the Particular, a type of base, base trim stage.
As seen beneath, the Aspen Particular was marketed as American’s solely 6-passenger sedan out there for lower than $5000. That’s $4994, to be precise. And for the kids studying this, many vehicles of the day featured entrance “bench seating,” which accommodated three-abreast front-row passenger placement. So, three in entrance, three in again, that’s six.
Curiously, throughout the 1980 mannequin 12 months—Aspen’s closing 12 months–Dodge lowered the value of its most soul-crushing mannequin, the Aspen Particular. The Particular, supplied as coupe and sedan (as seen right here) was positioned beneath the bottom Aspen, and got here commonplace with so few options {that a} small youngster may depend them. Seems, there was nothing particular concerning the Particular.
In the beginning of 1980, per the Encyclopedia of American Automobiles, the most affordable Aspen began at $5151. In some unspecified time in the future throughout the ’80 mannequin 12 months, the value of a Particular was dropped to simply $4994. Now, the all-new, and decidedly extra fashionable and classy Chevrolet Quotation began at simply $4800, however that worth didn’t embrace a 6-cylinder engine, or automated transmission, options commonplace on the Aspen. It did, nonetheless, seat six. However, the Quotation was technically a hatchback, not a sedan, so Dodge’s cheapest-sedan declare was not challenged.
However, to place the Aspen Particular in correct historic perspective, we have to take a look at what precisely did come commonplace—and what didn’t—for $4994. First, the usual stuff:
1980 Dodge Aspen Particular: Normal Tools
“Slant Six” engine
Legendary for its sturdiness, the mighty Slant Six was simply plodding alongside by 1980. Strangled by emissions laws, the large 3.7-liter engine was cranking out simply 90 horsepower within the Aspen Particular, good for a reported 15-second 0-60 mph “dash.”
TorqueFlite automated transmission with lockup Torque Converter
A typical automated transmission is sweet, however the TorqueFlite, although famously dependable, was nonetheless only a 3-speed unit, this at a time when many manufacturers had already moved to 4-speeds. Additionally, we’re unsure why Torque Converter is being dealt with as a correct noun by Dodge.
Energy Steering
Unbelievably, energy steering was not commonplace on most Aspens. So, this can be a good add.
Whitewall P-metric radial tires
Yawn. Radial tires have been frequent by 1980, and admittedly white-sidewall tires had change into passé. Amusingly, these are slender white-sidewall tires. Wider stripes price further. Actually.
Deluxe wheel covers with wheel lip moldings
On this case, deluxe” is subjective, and we’re not sure lower-cost wheel covers would even have made a lot of a distinction. Additionally, Wheel lip moldings, which at all times appear like Ok-Mart-sourced equipment, tended to be the place rust developed first. Simply saying.
Physique-side accent tape stripes
It’s tape.
Entrance and rear bumper guards
Little, kinda ineffective, bumper guards.
Anti-corrosion safety
Rust proofing was a well-liked add-on again within the day. Trying again, it didn’t work very properly. Aspens preferred to rust.
Diagnostic Plug
An attention-grabbing characteristic, although this method by no means went anyplace. The “plug” was a precursor to the industry-accepted On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) commonplace, which included a port for digital service entry to the automobile’s working system. The Aspen Diagnostic Plug was not almost so subtle, and should by no means have truly been used.
I’d wish to assume that a minimum of one car-shopper’s spouse was, sooner or later, at some dealership, heard to protest, “Honey, you recognize I gained’t drive a automobile with out wheel-lip moldings or a diagnostic plug!”
Now, right here’s some stuff that didn’t come commonplace on the 1980 Dodge Aspen Particular, however may very well be had on different trim ranges:
Not Normal Tools
Tinted glass
When you’re younger, you’ve been spoiled by low-glare, UV-shielding windshields and aspect glass your complete life. However, Aspen Particular drivers weren’t. Probably they at all times wore sun shades.
Radio
That’s proper, no tunes. To not fear, with out sound insulation (see beneath), there’s probability you wouldn’t hear the music anyway.
Noise Discount Package deal, Particular Sound Insulation, Hood Silencer Pad
These choices may very well be ordered individually, or collectively as a part of the “Deluxe Insulation Package deal.” Appears that saving cash means coping with wind, street, and engine noise.
Coloration-keyed steering wheel
That’s proper, the colour of your steering wheel most likely didn’t match the inside of your automobile. Coloration coordination is for wealthy folks.
Deluxe Steering Wheel
We don’t know what makes a steering wheel “Deluxe,” nevertheless it most likely matches the automobile’s inside.
Coloration keyed seatbelts
Yup. The usual belts don’t essentially match the seats. We’re guessing the usual belts got here in both argent, or ocher.
Cigarette Lighter
That’s what matches are for. Apart from, in the event you purchased this automobile, you shouldn’t be losing cash on cigarettes, anyway.
Day/night time inside mirror
Don’t drive at night time. No drawback.
Glove-box lock
Don’t maintain necessary stuff in your automobile. No Downside.
Glove-box gentle
No large problem in the event you don’t maintain necessary stuff in your automobile (see above).
Fabric headliner
It’s vinyl for you, buddy. (This most likely provides to the ambient noise stage within the automobile.)
Carpeting
Simply maintain your sneakers on, no drawback.
Intermittent wipers
These usually weren’t commonplace on a lot, but, truly.
Normal-size white sidewall tires
Extra whitewall, more cash.
500-amp battery
Ouch. 500 amps isn’t a lot for brand new automobile. Stepping up from the usual 325-amp battery was most likely frequent.
Protecting bumper strips
No matter.
Clock (digital)
Yup, no clock.
Heart console
Which is sensible. Add the console and your entrance/middle passenger goes to be fairly uncomfortable.
Rear defogger/defroster
These are literally listed individually. Assuming the defroster is for the windshield? Actually needs to be commonplace.
“Most” cooling system
We assume this included a high-capacity radiator. Most likely in style with the fleet consumers.
Customized Package deal
Lots of the smaller gadgets listed above as stand-along choices may very well be had is one fell swoop by ordering the Customized Package deal. The Customized Package deal was not supplied on the Particular.
Dodge produced roughly 19,000 Aspen Particular sedans for 1980, making it the second-most-popular automobile within the lineup after the considerably much less miserable base sedan, which got here in at 26,000 items. And whereas drivers of the Aspen Particular seemingly loved extra sullen and joyless lives than the homeowners of different autos, a minimum of they may level to their wheel lip moldings with a nominal diploma of delight, and declare in truth, “These got here commonplace.” Particular, certainly.
Hearken to the Automobile Stuff Podcast
1980 Dodge Aspen Footage
Click on beneath for enlarged photos
