In my first entry about the 1979 Dodge Aspen Special Editon Station Wagon, I wrote about how I wanted to find one of these seemingly unloved, used, and abused F Body Wagons. Well, in 2002 I found a really good example, and have kept it around for a while. I decided to take it on a few vacations with the family. In this installment, my daughter, wife, and I will travel to Michigan and Canada for one fantastic 2500-mile vacation in a station wagon that was at the time, 36 years old!
Before we get going on vacation, I will attempt to clarify a few things that people have commented about in my first installment. I would assume that the original owner asked for, or ordered the car without the woodgrain sticker, moundings, and trim on the side. I like the look of the car without the fake woodgrain sticker anyway so it is perfect for my taste.
I have come to 2 possible conclusions – but first I must say that from the evidence that I can see on this car, the paint is all original. It has dings and scratches, and I am sure some of them are from the last 22 years of my ownership, but it is an original car. I cannot find any evidence of repaint or even fasteners that were unscrewed and re-screwed for the hood, fender, or doors. Additionally, the emblems seem to all be intact and original as well. It is possible someone or a dealer added something, but I doubt it.
- My first conclusion is that it’s an options/package hybrid. Some previous owner or salesperson got it somehow delivered with elements of both “Custom” trim and “SE” trim interspersed?! This car has the SE interior in vinyl, but no SE hood ornament, just the Special Edition badging above the rear marker light
1979 Dodge Aspen Factory Brochure front cover featuring the prominent SE Hood ornament and center hood spear. I have not seen this on All SE’s.
1979 Dodge Aspen Factory Sales Brochure describing the various exterior and interior packages.
- My other assumption is that the car was just “pushed down the line”. This was no Chrysler New Yorker or Newport (which had their own quality and engineering issues in 1979.) Remember this was Chrysler Corporation in 1979! It was the time of the first possible untimely death of the Chrysler Corporation just before Lee Iacocca and the K car came about. Cash was low and so was quality control (and I assume the morale on the assembly line floor was equally low.) It is possible that someone in the Bay Area took delivery of this wagon with its quality control issues and quirks and loved it anyway. Here are some of the things I have grown to notice:
Both Sides of the wagon have the SE badging over the rear marker light.
The LF fender also has a Custom badge – I doubt this was added, though it could have been.
The RF fender has only the Aspen badge, with no custom declaration over it. Neither fender has appeared to have been replaced, nor is the typical evidence of primer, overspray, or other fender swapping details (chipped paint on body bolts from rachets or wrenches) evident anywhere on the car.
The other quirky thing is the LH emblems are both plastic and the RH emblem is metal.
More evidence of poor quality at its finest – this tailgate rubbing is from new. It was never set up correctly and the original owner likely never complained about it.
Austere small form Aspen and Dodge badging on the liftgate. Other models and years had bold letters saying D O D G E across the back of the liftgate from left tail light to right tail light. Not on this one, however. So in conclusion, the car is a well-preserved example of poor quality control or some weirdly optioned unicorn that the Chrysler Corporation produced. If it was some sort of 1971 Hemi whatever it would have been thoroughly documented and researched some 25-35 years ago.
Let’s go on vacation!
This trip from 2015 started with my wife and daughter going to Frankenmuth, MI. I love tripping to Michigan, as there is a great appreciation and car culture seemingly everywhere. I say this because, on our previous trip to Michigan in 2010, a year after my ’69 Dodge Dart Swinger was featured in a MoPar enthusiast magazine, there were guys at gas pumps telling me that they had seen the car in the Magazine! Awesome! I chucked to myself.
While we were there this time in 2015, we went to a few car cruises for good measure, participating with our wagon, not just spectating. We were traveling with a 1.5-year-old little human at the time, so extra pit stops were sometimes required.
Our first pit stop was just a few miles off of US Route 23 en route to Frankenmuth. No drag racing today, just some photos near Milan Dragway. I have yet to race there with any of my vehicles.
We liked this little motel within a few blocks of the heart of town. It was clean, and just right for us. Nothing fancy, but a seemingly clean family-run affair at the time.
Frankenmuth is known for its German style, its chicken dinners, and the Christmas store. It’s a tourist trap, but we were okay with that. We had a blast for the few days we were there. We visited the shops, took a river tour, pseudo-diesel-steamboat style, and enjoyed walking over a quaint covered bridge among other things.
During our stay, there was a touring group of die-hard Ford Model A enthusiasts that stayed the night! It was fantastic to see these old cars lovingly driven and cherished by their owners.
Here is the covered bridge. It was built in 1979 to emulate the style of authentic and older covered bridges. It sure gives the landscape some style. Also, to be found at the corner of the busiest intersection in town is Zender’s. I love the neon sign!
One day we traveled about 45 Minutes north to Bay City Michigan, for a local car show. We enjoyed the bayfront park, found a nice restaurant, and looked at some of the other cars and boats on display.
This was my favorite of the show, an Oldsmobile Ninety Eight ambulance!
I also snapped an old Champion Spark Plugs sign painted on a brick wall that has to date back quite a while. It was in an elegant state of decay back in 2015.
For the next leg of our trip, we pointed the Aspen Wagon north toward Rogers City, Cheboygan, and Mackinaw City. We were staying with family that has property on Lake Huron in the lower peninsula off of US Route 23, about 40 minutes from the grandiose Mackinac Bridge.
The Mackinac Bridge connects I-75 from the Lower Peninsula of Michigan to the Upper Peninsula and eventually Canada by way of Sault Ste. Marie.
Distances between little towns and villages start to spread out quite a bit when you get north of Saginaw Bay. That’s my kind of vacation; driving through vast open space and forests, and there is a lot of that the further north you go in Michigan. We spent a lot of time in our Aspen Station Wagon for that eeek or so in the dummer of 2015.
F Body wagons did not arrive from the factory with dark-tinted windows in the rear passenger and cargo areas like modern SUVs have as a standard glass treatment now. The little one enjoyed many hours of napping in the Aspen’s RV-2 / R12 air conditioned comfort. A simple bed sheet draped over the window will do and did not alter the look of the car for future shows or trips. (It also keeps the little one from picking at the disco-era mylar “chrome” trim on the door panel too!)
How to entertain the little one? A simple playground will do!
We had beautiful weather when we arrived.
The “Dockside Classics” always seem to appear closer to shore as compared to the vast inland area that I live in.
I like visiting seemingly far away towns from my locale that have charm and some character – Rogers City MI, has that for me, a beautiful and functional lakeside city park, a surviving theater (pre-covid-19, I have no idea if it is still thriving now). And a great family-owned ice cream stand. In the picture above, my uncle, daughter, and wife pose with the Aspen Station Wagon in Rogers City, MI.
For this phase of our vacation, we were using my Uncle’s House on the shore of Lake Huron as our home base for the week. This day’s itinerary took us toward Munising, MI for the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. It was a ~3.5-hour drive on mostly 2 lane non-interstate US and state routes. My favorite type of driving.
We crossed the Mackinac Bridge to get to the Upper Peninsula and to US Route 2, which runs parallel or next to the north shore of Lake Michigan.
Hundreds of miles of US routes and sparsely traveled Michigan State Routes feature long, straight, and sometimes rolling hills that allow for stress-free driving while bisecting the vast green Michigan forests.
As we started that morning, it was raining. One of the 36-year-old wiper linkage bushings failed during an early morning rain storm on I 75 North. Quick research found an auto parts store on the way (I considered this a lucky turn of events). There are more deer, bears, and other wildlife than auto parts stores in these parts, so when I found Danny’s Auto Value in Engadine, MI I stopped in and they had the bushings for me to toss in the wagon’s wiper linkage assembly in the parking lot. I always carry tools on my old car trips. Rarely do I need the tools, but when stuff goes wrong, I feel it’s best to be self-contained when possible. The bushing replacement took about 20 minutes and we were back on our way to Munising.
We Made it to Munising and Lake Superior!
The reason for traveling to Munising was for the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore tour. We got there, took the boat tour, and had a fantastic lunch at a local restaurant which as of this writing is called Eh! Burger
We took a little bit more of a relaxed trip back home that day. Traveling west on US Route 2 there were lots of opportunities for glamour shouts that would look like we were somewhere near the ocean or California.. but no, these were some of the many sand dunes on the shores of Lake Michigan! More on that later.
These three shots were all taken Along US Route 2, along the shores of Lake Michigan.
We got a few good shots of the Mackinac Bridge from US Route 2 in the U.P. of Michigan before we crossed it back onto the Lower Peninsula.
We found an Elby’s Big Boy along US Route 2 in Saint Ignace for dinner! These have all vanished around where I live. As of this writing, this location is now closed too.
We made it back to our home base on Lake Huron for another restful night at my uncle’s house.
For the next day, we decided to head out to Canada via Sault Ste. Marie Michigan and I 75. We crossed over the great Mackinac Bridge yet again that day.
To enter Canada, we crossed the Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge.
We spent a little bit of time there in Canada.
I am always fascinated by civil engineering projects and other things of that sort of nature, so we stopped to admire the emergency bridge swing dam. The Emergency Swig Dam is painted orange as seen here below the International Bridge which is painted in yellow and green.
A simple playground was enough to keep the little one entertained!
After our playground session, we headed back over the international bridge and eventually the Mackinac Bridge to visit with family back down on Lake Huron. But before we left the Sault Ste Marie Michigan area, we stopped for a late lunch on my uncle’s recommendation at the Antlers, in Sault Ste. Marie Michigan. It has all sorts of taxidermied decorations inside the restaurant! It is quite the sight for a meal.
The next day it was time to hit the Dunes as we began travelling south towards Detroit and eventually home. We angled the Aspen west from the Cheboygan, MI area to the Traverse City/Glen Arbor/ Empire Michigan area. Our main activity was the Dune Climb at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore I would love to go back and spend a few days around the trails, dunes, and beaches here. We spent a few hours and it was great.
This is a spirited “peek a boo” session en route- Fun times.
Getting the little one ready for the day’s activities is always a bit of a production. I usually stay away and take pictures until the ritual is done. It’s best for everyone that way.
In a vast sea of SUV’s gigantic trucks and minivans, there was the ’79 Aspen – it almost blends into the dune.
The dunes are expansive, and longer (from the lakeshore to land) but not as wide as a typical coastal ocean beach. It sometimes can resemble a desert in some places.
For our last day on this trip, we headed for suburban Detroit. There is so much to see and do there especially if you like car culture and related industry museums. This time we enjoyed evening fireworks, a community celebration in Clawson, MI, and an early morning cars ‘n coffee on July 4th. Back in 2015, July the 4th fell on a Saturday.
The cars ‘n coffee event was held early Saturday morning at Pasteiners’ Auto Zone Hobbies on Woodward Avenue in Birmingham, MI. It would be safe to assume that I had the only 1979 Dodge Aspen of any kind there, which I did. There was some interest in my car but there were also many more eclectic vehicles to share for this early morning get-together. The little parking lot got filled to the point that I was blocked in for a little while.
Some other interesting autos to be found at this Detroit area C ‘n C:
A hot rod with 12 barrels of Stromberg carburation feeding a 6-72 supercharger. – Note the condensation on the intake.
A 1960’s Volvo.
A 1970’s Lancia Beta.
A tube chassis GM engineer’s prototype car featuring a 32V Northstar V8 in the back.
There were DeTomaso’s Ferarri Dinos and other rare and interesting stuff as well. We are getting to the end of this vacation for 2015.
Before we left for home, one last photo stop: these glamour shots were taken at the classic Vinsetta Garage, once a famous actual garage on Woodward Avenue, now turned restaurant.
Lots of driving long distances that week to see many things. We made it home and I have a great appreciation for many things in Michigan after this trip. I am still looking to go back and revisit again when we have the opportunity.
COAL #3 on this car will feature a drive-in /fly-in airshow, a train, and the Pocono Mountains.
‘Till next time.
Very impressive! Thank you for sharing some of your family adventures, with your outstanding survivor Aspen. Your F-body wagon looks great, and it is very fortunate to have such a dedicated owner. Wonderful, to see!
Your road trips remind me very much of the similar summer trips my dad took us on, roughly forty-five years ago, in his near identical Light Cashmere 1978 Aspen wagon. As was the case back then, these are very well-sized wagons for families. And the excellent airy greenhouse, and upright seating, makes these a pleasure to drive, and to see all roadside attractions. Comfortable seating, and plenty of cargo space. Chrysler got the packaging, and engineering, on these right.
We lived in Southeastern Ontario, so many of our day trips took us deep into New York State, using Interstate 81. Like your Aspen, my dad took great care of his wagon, so it was always reliable on long journeys. As his mileage averaged, in the high teens and low twenties. He always patronized Esso and Exxon stations.
Thank you for taking us along, this was a lot of fun. As your Aspen is now still looking, and living, the life of many family Aspen and Volare wagons, circa 1979. As these used to be everywhere, at summer family vacation spots. Good Times!
On family trips to New York State, my dad always stopped at the Sky Deck observation tower on Hill Island, at the base of the Thousand Islands Bridge. Popular songs on the car radio then, and fun memories, I will always associate with that Dodge Aspen wagon. Hope your Aspen provides similar, lasting great family, and vacation memories.
As one who lived with a 35 year old Mopar several years back (a 68 Chrysler Newport) I can understand what a lovely experience yours was (and is!) A well-sorted older car gives a driving experience like nothing else, so good on you for keeping the old girl in shape for trips of this kind.
A couple of your photos remind me how much I used to love those fender-tip turn signal indicators that Chrysler put on so many cars from the 60s into the early 80s. It was one of those little touches that set Mopars apart from the others.
Michigan is indeed a great place for vacations!
Sweet car, cute child, killer vacation!
Love the article the car in the pictures and I too am a wagon lover. As a lifetime Southeast Michigan resident many vacations were and are spent going “Up North” and I have been to most of those sights in your pictures. As I’m getting close to 60, I want to see places outside of my home state and country and efforts are made to get out of here, but reading this article and seeing these photos makes me realize I probably take my home state for granted. Glad you had a great experience here. Toddlers aren’t always so easy to take on vacation, but it looks like she was a champ the whole way.
Great car, and a great trip!
Riding a motorcycle over the Mackinac Bridge was one of the scariest things I’ve ever done, the choice is between riding close to the seemingly inadequately high guard rails, or riding the middle section where the steel mesh makes the motorcycle wander and you can look down!!!
My wife’s family is from Falmouth Michigan, and she spent every summer vacation there growing up. We went for a Michigan vacation when the kids were young, she was rather angry to find out how many cool things there are to see and do there. All they’d ever done was stay at her grandfather’s house.
I was earlier mistaken, in the colour of my dad’s 1978 Aspen wagon. The paint on his was a darker tan than your wagon, seeming with more red in the formula. The paint colour below, was the accurate colour of his ’78 Aspen wagon. The reference name was Light Mocha Tan. And that’s the name I recall, when later buying touch up paint around 1980.
If this is the picture of your actual Dad’s car, I recall seeing it for sale a year or 2 ago on ForFbodies and on bringatrailer as well.
Yes it is slightly different color although the Light Cashmere was available in ’78 as documented in this link and video:
https://www.flickr.com/gp/149826863@N07/7m2f6598oJ
No, my dad’s car was sent to the local scrap yard in 1992. His had the Custom exterior trim as yours does. And he retained the original hub caps, same style as your car came with, for the duration of his ownership. He was the only owner of the Aspen. Around 1987, he bought a 1977 Volare wagon, to use as a parts car.
Regarding the odd trim, it reminds me of my 1986 Ranger. I found a build sheet buried under the seat after I took delivery, and it had a line item for STX trim. But unlike the brochure photos of the STX, it had no STX badging or cloth seats, but it had the silver dash trim and exterior paint details that matched the STX.
Not unusual at the time this was new for mismatching or incomplete badging not to mention different tail light lenses on each side of the car .
When new I remember the tail gate talk slammed these, I always thought good looking and the right size .
Kudos for using is intended .
-Nate
Great Road Trip story! In a great car, of course.
We were in Michigan a few times last year, covering much of the same ground. We spent a few days in Bay City, in the area north of Saginaw Bay, and in the Upper Peninsula (we drove through Engadine). Terrific places!
And wow, I remember those days of travelling with little kids and being delighted to find a small-town playground, and struggling to keep the sun out of the little-ones’ eyes.
I’m glad you photo-document this trip so well – this was a delight to read this morning.
For the period between 1976, and roughly 1982, the F-bodies were so common on American and Canadian roads. Particularly, the wagons. In random traffic shots, from the era, you will invariably see an F-body somewhere. Often, a wagon.
As I mentioned here before, because of the large recall to have their front fenders replaced, so many had mismatched colour on their front fenders. Something, I never recall seeing before or after, on such new cars.
What a great read and equally great pics! Your dedication to keeping this classic on the road is admirable! I had a Volare wagon as a winter beater, circa 1988. It was a later one, when Chrysler finally had the cars sorted. Mine had the 2bbl Super Six and it never felt short of power around town or on the highway.
Cars last a lot longer than they used to. Where I live, it is not that unusual to see forty year old cars on the road. When I started (legally) driving in 1980, fifteen years was about as old as one saw and usually less than that.
I have to say, the wheels on that car really give the car a great look!
I cannot say when the last time was that I saw an Aspen or Volare of any description. Maybe this summer at the Moparfest show in New Hamburg, ON.
Ahh yes MoparFest. I miss it. I was there with this vehicle in 2015. I want to go back but have yet to make it.
The Idea for the wheels came from a picture that was posted years ago on this site, on a Silver ’76 or 77 Aspen Wagon that has a write up on CC
I enjoyed reading about your trip. I have not visited the area, and I live just across Lake Huron on the Canadian side. Maybe I should do a circle tour of Lake Huron.
After university I shared an apartment with my cousin and he had an earlier Volare wagon. I think it was a 76 and had the wood grain. I spent a lot of time in the Volare. It was comfortable and reliable, a great combination. Much more so than the Pinto hatchback that it replaced. His was a 6 with automatic, which seemed entirely appropriate.
Thank you.
A tour around any of the lakes would be fantastic. Huron or Superior would be My recommendation But all 5 or 6 if you include Winnipeg would be great!
Very cool! As fellow owner of another 1979 model (a Chevy), I like this a lot. These cars are meant to be used just like this. Last year I took the ’79 Chevy on a road trip from MA to FL and the smile never left my face. Nice 1970s original survivors get more attention now than they ever did. Lots of thumbs up from people who appreciate seeing once common but now rare everyday cars preserved just like they remember them.
I always liked these Chrysler wagons. Well designed, functional cars let down by quality issues. I remember we considered a blue Aspen wagon as a used car in the early 1980s, but eventually went with something else – the issues were well known at the time.
Alright, just over 2500 miles. Impressive. I have been thinking of a five day trip down the back side of the Sierras along US 5 from Topaz Lake to Indian Wells. This during April school spring break. Only what car? The Parklane will have a new engine using premium at 12 mpg over 1003 miles. The Dodge using regular at 17 mpg. Mustang and Cougar too small as wife would like to camp at nights. The Ambassador wagon would be nice if only my wife knew about it which she doesn’t. I bet it may be the 98 Sable wagon with a new engine. Gas could range from $500 to $200 depending on car.
Your trip is through some beautifully green spaces which is very enjoyable. California doesn’t have a lot in the way of deciduous forest. The back side of the Sierras are sparse for rain so Bodie, Mono Lake, Manzanar, and the Owens Valley should be somewhat brown give or take.
Take the Ambassador. Wife does not have to know. It will be your “buddies’ borrowed car”. That thing is awesome, and more photogenic than the Sable. Memories for the photo album with that awesome California Backdrop!