“Generally a ‘cut price’ automobile seems to be lower than a cut price when you have got it outfitted the best way you need.” So opens the textual content of {a magazine} advert for the 1980 Dodge Aspen Particular, a car so bereft of content material it will not look misplaced on the lot of a Moscow used-car retailer.
For folk not within the know, the Aspen was already one thing of an automotive equipment, that includes pedestrian design, underwhelming efficiency, and, sadly, a status for disappointing reliability. As for the Aspen Particular particularly, learn on…
The compact Aspen, and it’s corporate-clone cousin the Plymouth Volaré had been, by 1980, horribly dated technically, and had been largely bought on value. A major proportion of interval gross sales had been to authorities fleets, this to the dismay of many cops and low-level bureaucrats.
And to hit a value level that met the calls for of fleet patrons and the nation’s thriftiest motorists, Dodge provided the Particular, a form of base, base trim stage.
As seen under, the Aspen Particular was marketed as American’s solely 6-passenger sedan out there for lower than $5000. That’s $4994, to be actual. And for the children studying this, many automobiles 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 yr—Aspen’s closing yr–Dodge lowered the value of its most soul-crushing mannequin, the Aspen Particular. The Particular, provided as coupe and sedan (as seen right here) was positioned under the bottom Aspen, and got here normal with so few options {that a} small baby might rely them. Seems, there was nothing particular in regards to the Particular.
Initially 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 yr, the value of a Particular was dropped to $4994. Now, the all-new, and decidedly extra trendy and trendy Chevrolet Quotation began at simply $4800, however that value didn’t embody a 6-cylinder engine, or automated transmission, options normal 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 have a look at what precisely did come normal—and what didn’t—for $4994. First, the usual stuff:
1980 Dodge Aspen Particular: Customary Gear
“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 regular 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 normal on most Aspens. So, it is a good add.
Whitewall P-metric radial tires
Yawn. Radial tires had been frequent by 1980, and albeit white-sidewall tires had grow to be passé. Amusingly, these are slim 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 all the time appear like Okay-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 preferred add-on again within the day. Wanting again, it didn’t work very nicely. Aspens preferred to rust.
Diagnostic Plug
An attention-grabbing function, although this method by no means went anyplace. The “plug” was a precursor to the industry-accepted On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) normal, which included a port for digital service entry to the automobile’s working system. The Aspen Diagnostic Plug was not practically so subtle, and should by no means have really been used.
I’d wish to suppose that not less than one car-shopper’s spouse was, in some unspecified time in the future, at some dealership, heard to protest, “Honey, you already know 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 normal on the 1980 Dodge Aspen Particular, however may very well be had on different trim ranges:
Not Customary Gear
Tinted glass
In case you’re younger, you’ve been spoiled by low-glare, UV-shielding windshields and aspect glass your entire life. However, Aspen Particular drivers weren’t. Possible they all the time wore sun shades, and checked recurrently for melanoma.
Radio
That’s proper, no tunes. To not fear, with out sound insulation (see under), there’s an excellent likelihood you wouldn’t hear the music anyway.
Noise Discount Bundle, Particular Sound Insulation, Hood Silencer Pad
These choices may very well be ordered individually, or collectively as a part of the “Deluxe Insulation Bundle.” 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 in all probability didn’t match the inside of your automobile. Coloration coordination is for wealthy individuals.
Deluxe Steering Wheel
We don’t know what makes a steering wheel “Deluxe,” but it surely in all probability 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 case 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 hold vital stuff in your automobile. No Drawback.
Glove-box mild
No huge difficulty in case you don’t hold vital stuff in your automobile (see above).
Fabric headliner
It’s vinyl for you, buddy. (This in all probability provides to the ambient noise stage within the automobile.)
Carpeting
Simply hold your sneakers on, no drawback.
Intermittent wipers
These typically weren’t normal on a lot, but, really.
Customary-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 in all probability frequent.
Protecting bumper strips
No matter.
Clock (digital)
Yup, no clock.
Middle console
Which is smart. 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 must be normal.
“Most” cooling system
We assume this included a high-capacity radiator. Most likely well-liked with the fleet patrons.
Customized Bundle
Lots of the smaller gadgets listed above as stand-along choices may very well be had is one fell swoop by ordering the Customized Bundle. The Customized Bundle was not provided on the Particular.
Dodge produced roughly 19,000 Aspen Particular sedans for 1980, making it the second-most-popular car 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 possible loved extra sullen and joyless lives than the homeowners of different automobiles, not less than they might level to their wheel lip moldings with a nominal diploma of delight, and declare in truth, “These got here normal.” Particular, certainly. (To examine an much more miserly automobile, click on right here.)
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1980 Dodge Aspen Photos
Click on under for enlarged pictures