318 V8 Fixer Upper: 1973 Plymouth Duster
Plymouth rolled out the Duster in 1970 as a fastback version of its Valiant compact. It would prove to be quite popular and stuck around through 1976 when Plymouth decided the Volare was their future. This one kind of looks like a Duster 340 with stripes and a rear spoiler, but the VIN decodes it as having a 318 cubic inch V8. A possible barn find, this Mopar is in Los Angeles, California, and is available here on craigslist from the back of a trailer for $8,500.
The Duster was little changed going into the 1973 model year. The front bumper was a little beefier to satisfy growing safety standards imposed by the DOT. A boatload of them were assembled with Chrysler’s venerable Slant-Six engine, but the original buyer no doubt wanted more punch and opted for the smallest V8 paired with a TorqueFlite automatic transmission. We’re told the car starts but won’t stay running for long, possibly due to a fuel pump issue.
Photos provided only show part of the engine, but we’re told it has none of the smug stuff that would have been expected for California Dusters. The indicated mileage is 100,000 which could just be a plug figure. The body looks mostly good with one patch having been made to the passenger side front fender. Most of the interior may be okay, but the seller has some door panels to go with the deal (the dash pad is warped and will need replacing).
Given that the Plymouth is photographed on a trailer, we assume this was a find that the seller either intended to fix up or maybe just flip. Since the title is in the seller’s name, the latter is more likely. We’re told that delivery is available but assume that it will have a mileage limitation. If you’re looking for one of these 1970s Dusters to fix up, could this car be the one for you?
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Comments
Factory hood decal & side stripes?
What is it with Mopar’s and wings? I don’t remember ever seeing them on B, E or A bodies when they were still a common sight on the street. They are horrible looking, it’s hard to believe so many people developed bad taste at nearly the same time.
Steve R
The only wings i don’t mind are the factory body colored ones on [all] GSXs & ’69 T/As.The optional fact one for ’70-’71 GTOs is a bit much.
& any 4 door anything with a rear wing or spoiler should not be allowed on the road!
That I recall the wing craze it started with the Boss 302. The factory wings from Mopar were also the same Boss 302 wings! A lot of the aftermarket wings you see are not from Mopar, as they are too pointed. The Mopar wings were stubby like this one. Its funny how this one’s angle is so misadjusted
Definitely not the factory stripe. Id like to see the fender tag.
This car is a priced a couple grand too high for what is offered..
This wing is mounted backwards. Probably explains the body gaps on the trunk lid. Thanks for the info on Boss wings. I had no idea.
Bought a ’70 Mach1 while I was in high school. Worked at a gas station. Bought one of these wings from a guy filling up his baby blue Duster for $50. Took it off right there. That and a set of the rear window louvers
really set it off. Those were the days!
Correction needed. Dusters of this type are not “fastbacks”, because it has a notch between the trunk and rear window. Want a true fastback? See early “Mustang”. They did make a hatchback version of the Duster where the rear window and trunk lid were one piece, but it’s not a fastback either.
I hate sellers like this! It is obvious by his photos and description that he just ripped off some (probably) elderly person (trailer park photos, u-haul trailer) that probably lost a son. Seller knows nothing about it by his own admission in Craigslist add. Bought it for cheap and asking to much for it. If the seller atleast cleaned it up, put parts back on he said are included, got it running and reversed the mounting of the wing then I would not be such a hater for this type of scoundrel. To me they are no better than dope head thieves.