“Generally a ‘discount’ automobile seems to be lower than a discount when you’ve got it geared up 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 could 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 repute 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 big proportion of interval gross sales had been to authorities fleets, this to the dismay of many law enforcement officials and low-level bureaucrats.
And to hit a value level that met the calls for of fleet consumers and the nation’s thriftiest motorists, Dodge provided the Particular, a kind of base, base trim stage.
As seen under, the Aspen Particular was marketed as American’s solely 6-passenger sedan obtainable for lower than $5000. That’s $4994, to be actual. And for the children 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, through the 1980 mannequin 12 months—Aspen’s last 12 months–Dodge lowered the worth 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 commonplace with so few options {that a} small baby might depend them. Seems, there was nothing particular in regards to the Particular.
At the start of 1980, per the Encyclopedia of American Automobiles, the most affordable Aspen began at $5151. Sooner or later through the ’80 mannequin 12 months, the worth 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 embrace a 6-cylinder engine, or computerized transmission, options commonplace on the Aspen. It did, nevertheless, 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: Customary Tools
“Slant Six” engine
Legendary for its sturdiness, the mighty Slant Six was simply plodding alongside by 1980. Strangled by emissions rules, the massive 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 computerized transmission with lockup Torque Converter
An ordinary computerized 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 had been frequent by 1980, and albeit white-sidewall tires had develop into passé. Amusingly, these are slim white-sidewall tires. Wider stripes value additional. 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 preferred add-on again within the day. Wanting again, it didn’t work very nicely. Aspens preferred to rust.
Diagnostic Plug
An fascinating function, 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 practically so subtle, and will by no means have really been used.
I’d wish to assume that at the very least one car-shopper’s spouse was, in some unspecified time in the future, at some dealership, heard to protest, “Honey, you recognize I received’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 Customary Tools
Tinted glass
For those who’re younger, you’ve been spoiled by low-glare, UV-shielding windshields and facet glass your entire life. However, Aspen Particular drivers weren’t. Probably they at all times wore sun shades, and checked often for melanoma.
Radio
That’s proper, no tunes. To not fear, with out sound insulation (see under), there’s a great 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, highway, and engine noise.
Colour-keyed steering wheel
That’s proper, the colour of your steering wheel most likely didn’t match the inside of your automobile. Colour coordination is for wealthy folks.
Deluxe Steering Wheel
We don’t know what makes a steering wheel “Deluxe,” but it surely most likely matches the automobile’s inside.
Colour 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. Moreover, for those who purchased this automobile, you shouldn’t be losing cash on cigarettes, anyway.
Day/evening inside mirror
Don’t drive at evening. No drawback.
Glove-box lock
Don’t maintain essential stuff in your automobile. No Drawback.
Glove-box mild
No huge subject for those who don’t maintain essential stuff in your automobile (see above).
Material headliner
It’s vinyl for you, buddy. (This most likely provides to the ambient noise stage within the automobile.)
Carpeting
Simply maintain your footwear on, no drawback.
Intermittent wipers
These usually weren’t commonplace 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 spanking 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. In all probability well-liked with the fleet consumers.
Customized Bundle
Most 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 models. And whereas drivers of the Aspen Particular seemingly loved extra sullen and joyless lives than the house owners of different autos, at the very least they may level to their wheel lip moldings with a nominal diploma of delight, and declare in truth, “These got here commonplace.” Particular, certainly. (To examine an much more miserly automobile, click on right here.)
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1980 Dodge Aspen Footage
Click on under for enlarged photos