One Prior Owner: 1970 Plymouth Duster 340
This 1970 Plymouth Duster is finished in one of Chrysler’s popular “Hi-Impact” colors of the era – LimeLight. That was the Plymouth name for it; Dodge called it Sublime. With a numbers-matching 340 cubic inch V8, this car looks as though it just emerged from a time capsule. It also had just one owner before the seller, which all adds up to a beautiful survivor-quality automobile. Located in Sparks, Nevada, this garage-kept muscle car is available here on eBay where the bidding has reached $20,100. Not surprising, the reserve is still unmet.
From 1968-73, the small-block, 340 V8 was the engine of choice in more than 217,000 installations across Chrysler’s compact and mid-size automobiles. It was potent, usually rated at 275 hp with a 4-barrel carburetor. There was even a 6-Pack version available for a time that produced 290 hp. It was based on the standard LA-series lightweight block and designed from the outset as a performance motor. They were quite dependable (when treated properly) and would stay together at upwards of 6,500 rpm.
When Plymouth introduced the Duster in 1970, it was a fastback version of the Valiant compact with all-new sheet metal from the cowl back. The Duster 340 was the version buyers opted for when they wanted to go fast on a smaller budget. 24,875 copies of the Duster 340 were sold that year, so it was a popular choice. So popular that Dodge got its version the following year, the Demon, also available with the 340 engine.
Until recently, this ’70 Duster 340 had only had one owner who apparently babied the car from Day 1. The odometer reading is 22,000 miles which seems plausible given the condition of the car. But the seller does not claim that it is. The LimeLight paint looks flawless, but is not original, having been redone in 1994 and still looking wonderful. No rust is present, and the body looks as straight as an arrow. The interior was redone a few years ago, too, but isn’t perfect. A couple of loose seams in the headliner need attending to as do the armrest pads in the doors. So, if you were looking for issues, these may be it.
There is no indication of any work that has been done to the drivetrain (or if any is needed), but a set of Cyclone equal length headers has been added. The 340 is paired with a TorqueFlite automatic and power steering. New front tires sit on the Chrysler Rallye wheels with wider versions in the back. Oddly, the cowl tag has been removed rather than still being bolted to its original home. If you were looking for a turnkey Mopar of this vintage, it might be hard to find one any nicer than this one.
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Comments
Normally I’d prefer the 68-69 Dart 340 versions, but this looks Glorious in I Get It Green!
This is a fabulous example of a ’70 340 in Sublime Green. I heard the 340 was sometimes called a “Baby Hemi” but I don’t know if that’s true. What I do know is the 340 was way underrated. I saw a stock 340 Duster dust (no pun intended) the doors off a factory stock ’68 Hemi Charger in a quarter mile street race that’s still etched indelibly in my mind almost 42 years later. My dream car is a ’71 340 Duster with a factory four-speed, Sure Grip and in dash tach. Dream on!!!
Back in 1970-71 a stock 1969 Dart 340 used to routinely embarrass me and my 1970 Charger 440-6 on the street. It was another story on the highway. I would catch up to and pass the Dart around 65mph. Around town, only modified 327’s and 350’s could match it.
one of my good friends bought a 71 340 4spd challenger back when normal working people could actually buy a car like that…definitely an over achiever….
Looks like a nice clean ride. Question here: I thought that by 1970 all new cars required front seat head rests by law…I know my 69 Super Bee had them. Does anyone know the answer? These front seats look to be swapped out.
Headrests, option in 1968 in some cars, federal mandate 1969
The owner spent thousands on a rebuild then put exhaust tips from Autozone on the car, I didn’t understand.
In 1970 the Duster 340 did not come from the factory with the square Mopar tips. That started in 71
Just curious as to why a “numbers matching 340 H-Code” car would have a “G” in the VIN? “G” denoted a 318 engine if I’m not mistaken…
The VIN.# issue is explained in the EBAY listing along with a picture of the data plate that clearly shows an “H”. It is a real 340 car.
Did not read far enough; thanks for clarifying!
It’s up to $27,500 with 2 days left.
Your comments are usually right on, the a Hemi Charger loosing to a 340 is a bit of a stretch. The Hemi must have missed a gear or some other driver error. With equal conditions the Hemi Charger beats a 340 Duster by a full second minimum.
Agreed had to be driver error or a malrunning hemi. 340 4spd cars, especially the small 69 cudas were very fast performers. 340 One of the finest v8s ever produced id say.
Hemi charger was a real joke. Unless you have owned a 340 duster you don’t know. I’ve owned 3 340 Dusters and I currently own an AAR CUDA. The 340 was underrated because of Opec Oil crisis which the Gov. saw the writing on the wall as early as 69. Only the special Race Hemi not the street hemi was something to be Acknowledged.
I had a 72 Duster 340 with W2 heads 4 spd with 4:10 gears it ran OK. It definitely wasn’t the quickest or fastest car in my town but it was respectable.
Also these torqueflite autos had 3 sets rear gears available. 3.23 3.55 3.91
I bet the 3.91 equipped cars w the high winding 340 really moved out. An awesome light to light and 1/4 miler car.