The problem with a first impression is that you can only make it once, which can sometimes be a bad thing. That could be the case with this 1970 Plymouth Duster 340. It looks sad and sorry, and many people might walk past it, placing its restoration in the “too hard” basket. However, it appears to be a structurally sound classic that could represent a rewarding project build. It will take dedication to return it to its former glory, but the bidding history suggests a few people feel they are up for the challenge. Located in Santa Ana, California, you will find the Duster listed for sale here on eBay. Bidding has raced to $1,275 with plenty of time left on the auction.

There’s a lot to consider with this Duster beyond the fact that someone performed a color change at some point. It rolled off the line wearing desirable In Violet paint, which remains intact in the engine bay. There is no information about when and why the change occurred, but I won’t be surprised if the new owner reinstates that shade. The car has plenty of rust, which is clearly visible in the supplied photos. It has chewed its way through the lower extremities of every panel and the trunk pan, trunk extensions, and outer wheel housings. The seller indicates that there are prior repairs to the floor pans, but they have been performed to a decent standard. We don’t get to see them, but it sounds like they won’t require further attention. My primary concern is what appears to be a repair to the passenger-side shock tower. It doesn’t look great and probably warrants closer inspection to ensure no nasty surprises are waiting to trap the unwary. Some trim pieces are missing, and while some would respond well to polishing, other items may be beyond salvation. The glass looks good, and the Duster rolls on a set of Rallye wheels.

This Duster is no longer numbers-matching, but its original drivetrain configuration of a 340ci V8, four-speed manual transmission, and 8¾” rear end would have provided excellent performance. With 275hp on tap, it would have stormed the ¼ mile in 15.1 seconds. The rear end remains intact, but the original engine and transmission are long gone. The seller includes a bare 340 engine block of 1968 vintage and a 1971 four-speed with a Hurst Shifter. That provides a starting point for the new owner, although they may elect to follow a different path. Since it isn’t 100% original, that opens the possibility for the builder to slot something newer or more potent into the engine bay.

There’s not much to say about the Duster’s interior because it seems to be a “what you see is what you get” proposition. Some dash components are intact, as is the steering column. The seller indicates they have started to collect a few additional items for the project, and while they are included, it isn’t clear what they are. However, they appear approachable and willing to supply further photos to interested parties. That may shed some light on matters and is an offer that potential buyers should accept if they are serious about this classic.

With fifteen bids submitted at the time of writing, it appears that a few people feel they could return this 1970 Duster 340 to its rightful place on our roads. My primary concern revolves around the potential repair to the shock tower, and I would probably seek clarification on that before venturing too far. We’ve seen plenty of rusty cars revived over the past decade at Barn Finds, and some have been considerably worse than this classic. It can never be numbers-matching, which will impact its ultimate value. However, if the next owner restores the vehicle to a high standard, it should easily command a value north of $20,000 in the current market. If the bidding stays low, that leaves room to move on the project before its financial viability becomes questionable. That makes it worth considering.