Garage Find: 1973 Plymouth Duster 340
If you wanted some muscle in a compact package, the 1970s Duster 340 was a popular choice. From ‘70 to ‘73 (the years the 340 small-block V8 was available in the Duster), more than 69,000 copies rolled off the assembly line. But the insurance industry and Federal emissions gods would detune the car in 1972-73, yet it was still good for 240 net hp when the seller’s Plymouth was built. Finished in Basin St. Blue paint, this end-of-the-line’73 Duster 340 comes with oodles of new parts and looks like it could be a solid acquisition. Located in Goose Creek, South Carolina, this one is available here on eBay where the bidding has topped $9,500, but the reserve is still hanging out there.
The Duster was born in 1970 when Plymouth was looking to add some spice to its stodgy Valiant compact. The fastback took off in the sales arena and would stick around through the last hurrah for the A-bodies in 1976. Dodge got its version of the car in 1971 called the Demon, renamed Dart Sport in 1973. History on the seller’s car is sketchy because it appears to be offered by a dealer of sorts. It’s said to have covered just 68,000 miles over the past 48 years and is a numbers-matching piece of Detroit iron.
Both the body and paint on this car look stunning and the same appears true of the ivory and black interior. We’re told this Duster has been garage kept, so Mother Nature has been kind to this Mopar. It wears a set of 15-inch Rallye wheels with new center caps that really help the car pop. While the motor is original to the car, a list of new parts that have been added to this Plymouth is extensive. It sounds as though this car may have been restored, that term is not used by the seller. Those parts include:
- New gas tank and EFI fuel system
- New alternator, power steering box and pump
- New radiator and brakes on the rear wheels
- New sport mirrors and some window glass
- New instrument panel with performance gauge set along with the new console cover and door
Besides the 340 engine, the car has a 727 TorqueFlite automatic, power steering and power brakes to help get the car around corners and as quickly as possible from 0 to 60. And you can do it in comfort with factory air conditioning that has been retrofitted to R134a specs. This beauty was one of 15,731 copies made in ‘73 before the 340 was replaced with the 360 motor, a change that was not popular with enthusiasts. Even though the compression ratio was dropped to 8.5:1 for 1972-73, the Duster 340 still had quite a lot of punch left in it. And makes the cars popular enough to command north of $30,000 today in great condition (according to NADA).
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Comments
A Fox Body Mustang was over 20K but this is at 14.
Something seems backwards here.
Probably because the Mustang is more popular…although I don’t know why.
You are right, there should be a bigger difference in price. Just kidding, if this were any year prior to 1973 that wouldn’t be the case. Fox body Mustangs have been on a roll for years, their prices continue to keep climbing, the 5 liter, 5 speed notchback is the most desirable combination other than the 93 Cobra. The market is speaking, not everyone is listening.
Steve R
Miguel, it’s at 15,700 now…..the bidding is not over, so nothing is backwards…..so far.
Because this car is “told” to be garage kept (like most muscle cars in similar condition these days) this makes this car a “Garage Find” ? Really ? If this is your definition, I can supply you with another 10,000 garage finds. Click Bait title.
Never cared for the front; featuring the
pointed bumper/grill… Other than that,
I’m liking this alot.
This car has the right size..not too big, not too small so will fit in todays parking spaces. It has my favorite light blue color. The equipment is right: V8, automatic, air, power steering and brakes. The Valiant/Dart line had a good reputation for dependability. Body looks solid even if mileage cannot be totally verified after nearly a half century. Looks like a good car for shows, parades and other classic car events if the price is right.
Whenever I see one of these in a macho “iconic” color that’s now the rage but originally rare (Petty Blue, Go Man Go, Sublime, Plum Crazy, Top Banana, etc), I always get suspicious. I would want to check the paint code and make sure this wasn’t originally dark brown or dark green or something, which was far more common back then.
If there the build plate is there its easy to check, but you’re right ; my 73 Duster 340 is painted in its original one year color (F1 Mist Green) , and I’m constantly getting people asking me if its the original color, or hearing passersby at car shows telling their friends ” Plymouth never made a color like that” . So many cars are now being repainted in the “Impact” colors, that one that is original doesn’t stick out anymore, whereas a brown or gold one would.
This listing was ended by the seller because the item is no longer available.
Item location:Saint Petersburg, Florida
I like it,and would buy it, up to a certain price point, way better looking than any fox body ever was,which I liked as a kid,now they do nothing for me,someone will get a real nice car here!
How is the K-Frame???
Ended:
May 10, 2021 , 10:30AM
Current bid:
US $19,600.00
[ 62 bids ]
Reserve not met
Item location:
Goose Creek, South Carolina