itDodge Aspen Wagon

[AngliaGT]

In the local wrecking yard - the thing that made
this unusual is that there were no dents on it.Looked
like it would shine up nice in an afternoon.I think it had
a bad engine in it.
There was also a '70's mid-sized Mercedes in the
same yard,in the same condition.It always seems to be a shame
to me to see cars in this condition crushed.

- Doug

 

[drooartz]

I think it had a bad engine in it.

Came that way from the factory I believe.

 

[AngliaGT]

I knew someone would post that!
I have a 318 in the '95 Dakota,& it's a decent engine.

- Doug

 

[drooartz]

The Aspens I had the pleasure(?) of interacting with didn't have the V8 I think. Actually, I'm not sure if the engines were any good or not, as the rest of the pieces seemed to fail or rust quicker. 70s just were not a great time for American autos...

 

[Mickey Richaud]

Already posted here, but we had a '79 Dodge Diplomat wagon. Fancy, upscale Aspen. The 318 was a great engine, but a holdover from the 60's. The decade of the seventies was definitely a black mark on the industry. That said, I liked our Diplomat. "Corinthian" leather and all!

 

[scoutll]

My brother had a green 77 Aspen Wagon. Really neat thing about his was.. It was special ordered with a 318, 4 speed, bucket seats and posi rear end. He combined a three kids grocery getter with just a little feeling of his past... It was a fabulous car, but rusted pretty badly after several Michigan winters.

 

[aeronca65t]

My neighbor was a police detective and drove a 360 cu inch Aspen like this one (he was required to take it home most of the time).

Obviously, it had the police package: heavy duty suspension, trans cooler, etc.

I rode in it many times.....pretty fast actually. :thumbsup:

 

[JPSmit]

I rode in it many times.....pretty fast actually. :thumbsup:

I wouldn't be bragging about something like that.

 

[PAUL161]

JP, It all depends if he rode in the front or back!

 

[elrey]

It appears that J.P. is holding back some secrets.

 

[JPSmit]

It appears that J.P. is holding back some secrets.

I learned very early. Don't get caught. Have ridden in the front a few times (back in the day) though with the MP's.

 

[Deleted member 8987]

The 318's were somewhat problematical...as were all Mope-ars in the 60's, 70's, 80's, 90's.....wait...all of them were.

Cop car Dips....what a joke.
How many K-frames did we have to change out?
Engines, cams, head, timing chains, Thermo-toilet carbs (plastic centre section), LEAN-BURN with the computer INSIDE the air cleaner on top of the carb....differentials.....plastic piston front disc calipers......that over time swelled and locked to the point you almost had to drill them and break them out.
Door hinges, door latches, instruments, rust and leaks.
How do I know? Shop I worked in had the contract for the local division of the Highway Patrol.

Sold them off to the unsuspecting public at auction...and in just a couple of years it seems they were all being crushed and shipped overseas for the next round of Chryslers...the FIAT!

 

[DrEntropy]

Mum-in-law gave 'smits a ten year old Aries K, four-banger. Hateful vehicle.

Over the time it resided here I replaced:

<span style="font-style: italic">Timing belt (broke as ~I~ was driving it to the bank, two miles away).
Spray-n-pray t-body injector
front struts
P/S pump (twice).
A/C compressor and all related bits.
Brake master (THREE failures, all as ~I~ drove it), three times.
Heater control valve disintegrated (again, me at the helm).
Ignition switch/lock.
Steering rack (!)</span>

By no means a complete list...

And all the wear-item stuff. That thing was a man-hater, I swear. It would go for months for 'smits. As soon as I sat in the pilot seat it would decide to rebel, some needed component would fail. Hateful, evile bloody <span style="font-style: italic">THING</span>. Herself called it her "Dodge Incipid". I called it many other things. Mostly just: "th' dam dodge".

Forgot: On a trip to Miami, the headliner fell down and wrapped itself around my head... at speed. The thing tried its best to KILL me. Malignant, I say. :smirk:

When it started pushing oil past the rings I called the VA "donate-a-car" number, waved it good-bye with a grin on me gob. Well and truly Good Riddance!

 

[AngliaGT]

I was just commenting that I saw it - I'm sure that it's
long gone.Let this thread die - please.

- Doug

 

[Mickey Richaud]

Don't open a door you can't close here, Doug! :smirk:

 

[AngliaGT]

Mickey,

I deserved that!Did I tell you that I have a 318
in the Dakota?

- Doug

 

[Mickey Richaud]

We had a Dodge Diplomat wagon - '79 model - with a 318. Great little V8, that.