1976-80 Dodge Aspen R / T / Plymouth Volaré Road Runner
OK , Mopar fans , here ’ s your lone entry on our list – mostly because Chrysler was switching to their frontdrive era about the time Gen Xers were noticing cars .
Like the Mustang II , the Dodge Aspen and Plymouth Volaré were shadows of the performance cars they replaced , but it was the Seventies after all , so sporty models with decals and performance monikers were all but required by law . Again , they were rivals for Hemis or Six-Pack cars offered at the start of the decade , but the Aspen R / T and Volaré Road Runner offered stout 360 and 318 engine options that delivered strong torque and respectable performance . Special “ Kit Car ” models in 1978 added a greater dimension of exclusivity , and they ’ re exceptionally rare today – especially in good condition .
Apart from the special body kits on the Kit Car examples , there isn ’ t much to distinguish the R / T and Road Runner models from their plain-Jane cousins , apart from graphics , some blacked-out trim and , on some models , rear quarter window slats . Here ’ s the good news – apart from some of those crazy collectors who believe all Mopars worth their weight in gold , these cars are cheap ! The trick is finding one that won ’ t cost more than it ’ s worth to shine up .
1975-76 Buick Indy Pace Car Replica /“ Free Spirit ”
The rare and seldom-seen Buick Indy pace car replicas of 1975 and 1976 epitomize the graphics-heavy approach to specialty cars in the years after the muscle car era .
Starting in the mid-1970s and lasting through the late 1980s , Buick was a force in open-wheel racing , with its very successful V-6 turbo program . Supplying the pace cars for the Indianapolis 500 for two consecutive years was a direct result of its involvement . In those days , the cars required considerable modifications to handle the high-speed duties on the track , but the promotional models offered for sale to the public were mostly tape-stripe specials . That was the case with the Buicks , although in addition to their pace car references , they were touted as “ Free Spirit ” editions to mirror Buick ’ s primary marketing campaign .
Despite different color schemes , graphics and exterior styling , both the 1975 and 1976 cars had Hurst Hatch “ T-tops .” The 1975 model was V-8-powered , while the 1976 had a V-6 to align with the V-6 engine that powered the real pace car that year . These cars are very difficult to find and excellent-condition examples only more so , but they attract attention , and you ’ re bound to be the only enthusiast at the show – or in the county or state , for that matter – with one .
24