Untouched Survivor: 1971 Plymouth 340 Duster
Now, this brings back memories. When I was in high school in the 70’s, the student parking lot had several 340 Dusters parked in it. And understandably so. They were roomy, inexpensive “muscle cars” and one buddy of mine even used the “but Mom and Dad, it’s a practical, reliable Plymouth Valiant” angle to justify getting a Duster. I remember a student having one exactly like this: metallic blue with the white stripes and graphics (and it wasn’t long before the factory ralley wheels were replaced with Crager SS Mags…so cool!). We’ve featured dozens of 340 Dusters on Barn Finds over the years, but not many one owner, low mileage, well-preserved survivors like this one. Located in Westport, Connecticut, this 340 Duster is for sale here on craigslist for an asking price of $32,000.
The seller, who is selling the car on behalf of the original owner, is light on the history and the story behind this survivor, but I’ll give him/her kudos for some really nice photography. It’s well above what’s usually seen on craigslist or even eBay. The seller shares that this 340 Duster was built in November 1970 and still wears its original Code GB5 – True Blue Metallic paint. I’ll give it to Plymouth. I always liked the cartoonish Duster graphic and the hues and names of its paint colors, from Sassy-Grassy Green to Lemon Twist. I can’t spot any major issues with the exterior of this Duster. It’s rust-free and the paint, graphics, minimal shiny stuff, glass, and everything else is very presentable and well preserved.
I’m really digging the sporty black and gray vinyl interior, especially the optional front bucket seats. Doesn’t it look great? In viewing the photographs, I can’t see any issues with the seats, upholstery, dash, steering wheel, or carpet, and I like that it has a 4-speed floor shifter. The only thing I wish it had was the cool-looking sports console that was an option that year.. I’d love to know how this car has been so well preserved for nearly 52 years.. I mean, I get how a ’71 Cadillac or Lincoln Mark III can look this pristine, but a ’71 340 Duster? Inquiring minds want to know.
Like the rest of this Car, the engine and engine bay is immaculate as well. The seller states that you’re looking at a numbers-matching original 340-cubic-inch, 4-barrel carb engine that has never been removed from the car with around 63,500 original documented miles. All VIN tags and stickers are present and recent work includes a new radiator, spark plugs, spark plug wires, points and condenser, fuel filter, and battery. So, Mopar fans, what do you think? In only its second year, Plymouth once again had an unexpected hit on their hands and sold a lot of Dusters in 1971, but only 12,886 left the factory equipped with the higher-horsepower 340 engine. You just don’t see a one-owner time capsule ’71 340 Duster in this kind of condition every day. The lucky next owner is going to get a good survivor to put in their garage, drive, and enjoy.
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Comments
gone!!!
That thing is a beauty
I was about to be amazed how a $700.00 Duster ( what you could buy them for back in the day) could sell for 23k,which is where a nice one could be bought. But then saw it was $32,000.00. I never thought I’d see this. It is a beautiful example, and they are fun cars. But it is still a Duster. Apparently Dusters have also reached the point where value is determined by a metric that I cannot comprehend. Or perhaps it is another example ( wood, steel, housing, food) of a 30% devaluation of the dollars buying power and 30K old used 70’s cars are now the norm. Duster, $32,000.00 in the same sentence. Wow.
I guess I am just out of touch as I just checked Ebay and there are more than ten 340 Dusters with asking prices OVER 40K! Perhaps this one is a bargain in comparison. I have owned several and by modern standards they are slow, uncomfortable and ill handling. But they were cheap and fun. 30-40K fun, not for me…
OK, but you keep saying Duster like they’re all the same. A 6 cyl or even 318 Duster this nice would not go for half of what a 340 car would. And slow? Not a 340 car. By modern standards? I guess it depends on what you’re comparing it to. The fun factor is higher than most. I think you’re underestimating the 340 cars in a lot of ways.
Dusters were my favorite car from High School till my 30’s. I have had slant 6 and 340’s. My favorite had a AAR 6 pack, 3.91 gears, posi and a 4 speed. It was a lot of fun and I took it to Wed night drags, Sacramento J&L Cruises, and NHRA meets at Sears Point and Fremont. So I do get the 340 performance. But my wifes XT Subaru Outback with a Turbo will outperform it be every measurement metric. If I had to drive one every day, I’d choose the Subaru. That’s not to say I don’t appreciate the car, just astonished at what all these old cars are selling for. Now I drive a 57 Chevy for fun, so I’m not done yet.
Jay I guess you would be astonished at the black 72 Duster340 with 45,000 miles I sold 3 years ago for 45k in HMN. It was a highly exceptional, original car.
JayE- Same can be said for Chevy Nova’s. I’ve owned a few and they too could be had for $2-3K…30 YEARS AGO.
The car is worth exactly what someone will pay for it. Not a penny more, or less.
Okay, this from an original owner of a 71 Duster special ordered. I decided to only go for the 318 as I was working as a bank manager for $800/ mo, I ordered the HD suspension, fill width front seat with folding center arm rest.( allowed 3 across seating but when only 2, a nice place to rest your arm.) Also got the floor shift. Did not think I needed the 4 speed so only got the 3 speed, the only regret I have. I bought her to pull a heavy wooden ski boat for water skiing on the San Francisco Delta for 3 couples. Plenty of power and firm suspension. Still enjoy the car but she “sleeps” alot.
I had several of these as I worked at a Chrysler dealer back in the day, the 4 speed models had a dual point distributer in them as I remember. Beautiful car!
When rotted out shells of Dodge Chargers and Plymouth Road Runners are bringing $25k? Then you’ll understand $32k for a Duster.
I had a 1970 duster with a little unusual package that I purchased new from John Jackson Chrysler/Plymouth in Muncie, Indiana for $2, 500. It was red with a sign black protective strip down the side to protect it from car door dings. It had black vinyl bench seats with a three speed on the floor. It was equipped with an am/fm radio and I added an 8 track tape player. Wheels were just like the ones pictured above. My father would not let me get the 340. It had the slant six instead of the 340. It looked but was a 6 banger. Two years later I traded it for a 1972 Monte Carlo with a V8.
If the current spend then tax plan goes sideways I’ll for sure be looking at buying a car/truck like this I can work on still having my timing light & dwell/tach. Remember when we couldn’t get parts for our Honda’s & Toyota’s in the early 90’s? If you could find an alternator or water pump it cost as much as two or three car payments. Hoping we can still get petrol for while. A Feeler Gauge isn’t an Instagram # kids.
Beautiful looking car. I’ve always loved original, unmodified survivors. My favourite years for the Plymouth Duster has always been 1970 through 1972.
I’ve not seen very many with the bucket seats. Makes it look like a Barracuda inside.
When the ’71 Dusters came out the local Chrysler/Plymouth dealer had a lot of leftover ’70 models (especially in the pink and purple colors that nobody seemed to want at the time). I purchased a brand new ’70 Duster 340 (in this very same shade of blue although it had black stripes) for $2700. Although it was extremely quick, the thing I remember is that the build quality (especially the interior materials) was very low. I drove it for a couple of years and then traded it even for a VW Beetle and was glad I did.
You were probably the only one that was happy to have a Beetle over a Duster 340 , unless you were concerned about gas mileage
The ONLY logical answer
I just found at receipt in the glove box of my ’71 Duster dated 1972 where I bought 10 gals. of gas. It was for $2.50!
Keep voting for the Swamp.
No Politics ???
That interior is gorgeous. It’s sad that you could buy around 6 or 7 of these brand new for the price he’s asking.