Most of you will be well into X-mass celebrations soon. Here in Israel, Hanukka is upon us this very evening, which means that among Holiday stuff such as lighting the Menora and playing with Dreidels, you also get to eat Hanukka doughnuts- that is if you’ve prepared them. As I obviously didn’t, I had to go out and get some.
These are not your American-style doughnuts. Not as sweet and instead of a hole in their center you get jam. They look like this:
BTW, these specifically are really bad examples. They’re sad-looking and small. But that’s what you get for last-minute doughnuts.
Anyway. look what was parked not far from the bakery:
It was obviously assembled from several cars. And sporting the mandatory rust patches.
Its actually got most of its trim present, although comically, notice how the brown rear door trim is lower than the rest of the car’s trim. Was it part of a Plymouth Volaré, perhaps?
And as usual, I present you with some more Aspens from various classic car meetings- thankfully, these are in much better shape:
Edit:
Had a chance to go out and get much better doughnuts today (those previous examples were regrettably thrown away). Feast your eyes on this:
Now that’s MUCH more like it! Big, fat and guarantied to put a smile on your face and heartburn in your chest. Notice top left- there’s a “Dulce de leche” variation.
My favourite years for the Aspen are 1976 and 77. They may have been called the worst years for the Aspen and Volare, but that doesn’t mean the car was bad. 🙂
It may have had “teething” issues, but the basic design was good enough to be beaten up a police cars (in its “M” versions) into the 1990s. (my favorite test of reliability).
I agree. My aunt had a 77 Aspen SE 2 door.
As with all Chrysler products of the era (really, of ANY era), the good ones were very good and the bad ones were very, very bad.
That’s why we speak of the Mopar Quality Lottery.
Glad you found your doughnuts, and best wishes for a Happy Hanukkah.
Thanks, I’ve updated the post with fine examples of the breed.
🙂
15,000 calories, at least. You love it now, but will regret it tomorrow.
The Chanukah miracle Aspen: there were only enough unrustable parts for the car to last four years, seven and a half months…but somehow it’s lasted eight times that long!
I respectfully disagree. My 1979 Volare, four door, purchased in 1994, was my college car / first job car, and had very litle rust on it when purchased. It probably was one of the good ones. It was the second last car I owned with the one feature I miss most on modern cars: high beam switch on the floor. Coincidentally, that’s where it rusted. My brother-in-law welded in a new piece, and it lasted me till till 1998. It had plenty of power with the slant 6, and was pretty good on gas. I sold it to a relative, who ran it for 3 more years, till his lack of maintenance killed it.
Hanukkah is wondrous indeed…
Happy Holidays! And remember,
?+1!
Hmm… 🙂
Happy Hanukkah Yohai… and I presume you’ll be able to find 8 more rare finds for each night of the holiday, right?
The Aspen has the distinction for me of being the oldest car that I’ve ever actually driven — quite a surprise, given that I’ve been interested in old cars for 4+ decades. In any event, that car (I don’t remember the year, so obviously it left quite an impression) was the same rust-brown color as the car-show.
I haven’t seen one in many years, though last year a friend of mine told me about a Volare parked near his house. By the time I got there, it was gone. Hopefully, I’ll find it again before it biodegrades.
Thanks, not sure I can obtain 8 more CCs’ photos until the holiday is over…
Considering the” quality control” at Chrysler in the 70’s……. it may be an all original car. ?
Interestingly, despite the patchwork body repairs and absence of wheel covers, etc., It is sporting 4 matching whitewalls. There’s some kinda bizarre irony in that, to my way of thinking.
I am definitely biased when it comes to my opinions on the F-bodies, considering my extensive life with a 77 Doge Aspen wagon. The 76-77 Aspen to me is the best looking. The turn signals in the bumper (instead of next to the headlights) with the full width grille really makes the car stand out. Plus, I’m partial to the side trim that bisects the car in the middle, instead of the Volare’s side trim that was lower down on the door. The brown door on the white Aspen is from a Volare with the lower trim.
That light blue Special Edition Aspen sedan with the aluminum road wheels looks sharp.
1976-77 Plymouth Volarés allocated to major-company rental fleets often were built with the Dodge Aspen mid-body side trim, because if was more effective at preventing door dings.
My dad bought a 1978 Aspen wagon new with the Custom trim package, which included the mid body side chrome and color coordinated vinyl molding. I wasn’t a huge fan of the trim package myself, as I thought it was a throwback styling element from the early 70s. As it’s near identical to how Ford handled the body side trim on the 1972 Maverick LDO. It never appeared original to me on the Aspen, and dated their styling IMO. The Ford Elite from 1974 used a similar mid body side trim design, minus the chrome over the wheel wheels. I saw it as an early 70s styling element from Ford, rather than a fresh look for Chrysler.
Wasn’t a huge fan of the Volare lower body trim either. I thought the simple molding they used on the ’80 Aspen/Volare looked cleaner and more modern.
Like so…
Wow. Even in Israel–where the climate preserved the Dead Sea scrolls for about 2,000 years–these cars rusted.
lol!!!
What hope for preserving them in the rest of the world?
Well, that’s because Israel has some very dry parts (like indeed the Dead Sea region, or Eilat, at the tip of the Red Sea), but also the humid coastal region- where most of the population centers. So it’s inevitable most classic cars will be there too.
Our family has had 2 Caravelles (Canadian Gran Fury) and 1 Volare — all with 318s. The Volare was always the more powerful car and seemed to have a tighter stall in the torque convertor. Not sure if it had to do with the small 14″ wheels and a higher rear end also, but it actually would jerk the neck a little with the torque from standstill. Meanwhile the M bodies would raspily (probably due to loose timing chains) chug from standstill gaining momentum gradually.
The M would act peppy like a Chevy Malibu if it started from a rolling stop, so that tells me it was because of the higher ratio 15″ tires and 2.xx rear-end I’ve often seen on spec sheets. From what I remember, most Malibus and Volares etc had 14″ tires. I’m guessing it made a difference.
Anyway never driven any of them, I was too young at the time, but it sure would be interesting to know what it feels like today. I was just the curious son or nephew in the front passenger seat before that became taboo due to the air bag controversy vs young children going on today.
FWIW, I actually had a 1970 Chevrolet Impala with 350, automatic and 15″ tires that was my grandfather’s when I was 16, and it was no slouch. It would smoke any stock late 70s Malibu or Volare (as I vicariously knew them) any day of the week (0-60 in 10 secs. approx using watch and freeway on ramp; no wheel loading, gasp I hate that. Brutal!) So I don’t know how well that tire size theory works out. Also the “Chev” was a different class of vehicle, so not really a fair comparison especially since it had no emissions equipment and a supposed 250 HP that was proudly displayed on the air cleaner hood. Great car.
The ’78-’83 Malibus did run 14″ wheels, at least in standard spec. 195/75R14 to be exact.
It’s almost as mismatched as a GTA car.
We had a brown 76 volare wagon, it was a piece of junk.
Thanks for the pics and story. Happy Hanukkah Yohai!
Thanks. 🙂
I always thought these looked much nicer than the ‘fuselage’ Valiants we got in Australia. That was until I read all the horror stories about them. Ours may have looked dated, but at least they were reasonably well-built and reliable. Still like the look of the Aspen and Volare though.
The 1976/1977 Aspen/Volare were problematic, with driveability and rust issues (front fenders) being most prominent. Quality improved thereafter, and the 1978 through 1980 models were generally considered well made.
Notably, the Aries/Reliant sedans (replacements for the Aspen/Volare) had as much interior room, but weighed around 1000 pounds less.
I have always liked the look of the Aspen / Volare cars, I think they look best without any side trim like the last pictured white car.
Chrysler build quality may have been suspect in those years but styling was one thing they got spot on, not ground breaking but handsome.
I love that car. I’m fond of mutt cars in general, but that Mostly White Aspen really speaks to me. If it was mine, I’d move to a really snooty, snobbish neighborhood and leave it parked in the driveway. Why hide it in the garage when you can use it to drive the neighbors crazy? Stoplight encounters would be fun, too. Roll down that window (assuming that is still possible) and say a hearty “howdy” to the guy in the Tesla next to you. That’s a sure-fire way to make friends. If he winds down his window to reply, I’ll offer him a plug of chewin’ tabacca. Of course I’m kidding, but sometimes it’s fun to dream. Happy Holidays to you all!
Thank you all for your comments, I’ve updated the post with some bitchin’ doughnuts…
Happy Holidays all around!
One point to note is that the car does NOT display collectors vehicle plates, which means the owner uses it as an every day car. Must be one of the “good” Aspens.
I had never heard of Hanukkah doughnuts, but a news item was published here in the US last week about a Conservative or maybe Orthodox rabbi, who is trying to discourage their consumption, citing them as a public health risk. They sure look tasty! I haven’t seen an Aspen or Voltaire on the road for a long time. Happy Holidays!
Thanks. 🙂
That Rabby is right, actually. One doughnut is about 500
calories (!), which is absolutely hazardous.
But consumed only on Hanukkah and not every day of the eight holiday days’, won’t kill you.