New member looking to learn.

[Rickjameswr]

Hello everyone! I found this site while doing some research on a car I was given by a neighbor. It is a 1979 Dodge Aspen wagon. The man told me it is a 318ci 4speed manual car. He took it off the road around ‘94 due to rust issues. (New England). I couldn’t open the hood due to the door handles being stuck, so I couldn’t verify what engine it has. I could easily see that it is a manual trans. Does this sound like an engine/trans package that was available? I haven’t been able to find any build numbers on this particular set-up. I see more of the I6 with a manual. Thanks for any info, I’m excited to get to know these cars.

 

[Rickjameswr]

Here’s an in situ photo.

 

[kkritsilas]

I have both a 1980 Cordoba Crown Coupe, and a 1981 Mirada CMX, both with 318-4BBL, but mine are both automatics (one is an A998 and the other is an A999, don't ask me which is which). Those are both factory original cars, and a correct configuration for a Canadian model J body. I would assume that the 318-4BBL was available in 1979 as well, but can't say anything about a 4 Speed Manual. I remember reading that the 318-4BBL were California, High Altitude, and Canadian only cars for the J bodies, but that doesn't preclude this car being bought in any of those areas and being brought into your neck of the woods (maybe literally, from the picture you posted).

 

[M_Body_Coupe]

...He took it off the road around ‘94 due to rust issues. (New England). I couldn’t open the hood due to the door handles being stuck, so I couldn’t verify what engine it has...

Welcome to the forum!

So what are your plans for this wagon?

I ask b/c the "...due to rust issues..." statement may be a harbinger of what you might find once you pull the ride out and inspect the frame rails. Assuming that the car has been sitting in the as-pictured environment doesn't bode well for the shape of the floor pans or the rails either.

However...if that is a 4spd. car, that would certainly be a nice find and even if the car itself is gone beyond the recoverable stage. You should pull that setup and set it aside for a possible re-install into another ride.

 

[Ark]

4 speed wagon is a cool find. Sadly if it was parked 30 years ago for rust issues, it's not like the rust has healed.

 

[Rickjameswr]

Welcome to the forum!

So what are your plans for this wagon?

I ask b/c the "...due to rust issues..." statement may be a harbinger of what you might find once you pull the ride out and inspect the frame rails. Assuming that the car has been sitting in the as-pictured environment doesn't bode well for the shape of the floor pans or the rails either.

However...if that is a 4spd. car, that would certainly be a nice find and even if the car itself is gone beyond the recoverable stage. You should pull that setup and set it aside for a possible re-install into another ride.

Well I’d like to get it back to the road of course, however, it must be pretty rough underneath. I’ll get the car elevated so it can be inspected for how bad it really is. I’m a decent home-gamer type of welder/fabricator, so I can repair some rust issues. Tough to do if it’s too bad because a guy can’t weld to air lol.

No matter the condition, I will make a honest attempt at getting it to run.

That’s the plan as of now. If it does t work out, possibly part it out to help keep others on the road.

 

[Rickjameswr]

4 speed wagon is a cool find. Sadly if it was parked 30 years ago for rust issues, it's not like the rust has healed.

It would be nice if it did though! Lol.

 

[AMC Diplomat]

If it does t work out, possibly part it out to help keep others on the road.

If that's a green interior car, oh boy, do I have a want list!