1977 Plymouth Volare

Description

Don't laugh, because I guarantee this 1977 Plymouth Volare hardtop won't last long on the showroom floor. Not only is it an affordable survivor, but it carries lots of nice options like factory A/C and if you haven't driven a slant-six-powered Mopar lately, you're probably going to be surprised.

Those of us who grew up in the '70s probably knew someone who drove a car just like this Volare, and that kind of memory is what drives this hobby. No, it probably won't ever bring Hemi money, but it's unusual to find a car of this vintage in such well-preserved condition and for that it should be appreciated. And when you look at it, the Volare 2-door is quite handsome, blending a fastback roofline with a kind of formal lower half, a style that was rather popular during the '70s. It appears that this car has had just one repaint in the last 35 years, and the sheetmetal underneath is nicely preserved, particularly for its age. Undoubtedly some of that is due to living someplace warm, but there's a lot to be said for a car who has had someone taking care of it all these years, and you just don't find them like that very often. It could very well be the proverbial "little old lady special" we all dream of one day finding. Well, here's your chance. Heck, even the chrome bumpers, grille, and unusual side trim are all in great shape.

The interior is unquestionably original, simply because nobody is making reproduction upholstery for these cars (yet). Medium blue cloth on the front bench looks quite good for its age with a back seat that has hardly been used. The dash pad and faux wood appliques are in good condition too and remarkably, the Volare offers a fairly comprehensive set of gauges in a neat rectangular pod ahead of the driver. The original AM/FM radio with its unique knobs on the left design remains in the dash, but the actual entertainment is provided by a newer AM/FM/CD stereo head unit neatly stashed under the front seat and controlled via hand-held remote. And yes, this car does carry factory A/C, a rather rare option on any car of this vintage, and it still uses R12 refrigerant and works properly. The original carpets are in good order thanks to a set of protective floor mats and the door panels, aside from the aftermarket speakers, look quite fresh. The trunk is also nicely preserved with proper gray cloth mats hiding the spare tire underneath.

The 225 cubic inch "slant six" was one of Chrysler's better ideas. Impressively durable and cleverly laid over on its side at an angle to fit under a lower hood line, it's a good partner for the Volare. If you're inclined, there are plenty of hop-up parts for it, although this one seems to be almost completely stock. It shows plenty of evidence of care and maintenance over the years. The big A/C compressor dominates the engine bay, along with the stock air cleaner atop a 2-barrel carburetor. It's quite clean here as well as underneath, more indications of an easy life, and the 904 TorqueFlite 3-speed automatic does a good job of keeping it in the fat part of its powerband. And you can't say that it doesn't look just a bit racy with dog dish hubcaps and 215/70/14 white-letter radials.

Is it a collector's item? Maybe not yet. But it is a neat survivor that will bring back memories for a lot of folks, and that's exactly why we love old cars like we do. Call today!