72Chero
06-15-2007, 02:27 AM
This month we are highlighting the 75 DUSTER owned by Duster340
Try as I may getting more information was an difficult task. I did get the story behind his car and I'm going to give this a bit more content by giving you some background on the Duster.
The Plymouth Duster debuted in late 1969 as a 1970 model and was a sporty version of the Plymouth Valiant. The Duster featured curvy exterior styling and a rounded fastback look for the rear. The front end was the same as the Valiant. The interior was pure Valiant. The Duster was available with a variety of engines, ranging from two slant six cylinder engines to either a 318 V8 or a high performance 340 V8 rated at 275 bhp. It was the 340 V8, coupled with the Duster's extremely low price, that made it a hit. The base price was a mere $2,172 (only a little more than the 1960 Valiant) and included just the 198 Slant Six, a column mounted three speed manual transmission, and manual brakes and steering. However, any performance buyer would go straight to the 340 V8 option. For a mere $400, this option added the 340 V8 with four barrel carb, dual exhausts, floor mounted three-speed manual transmission, a 3.23:1 rear axle, a heavy duty suspension with larger diameter torsion bars, extra leaf springs, front stabilizer bar, front disc brakes, and a unique instrument panel that included a tachometer and 150 mph speedometer. At a total price of just $2,547, the Plymouth Duster 340 was much cheaper than either a Plymouth Road Runner ($2,900) or Mustang Mach I ($3,300).
The Twister, a new trim level between the Duster and the Duster 340, debuted for 1971. Basically a Duster with more standard features, the Twister featured Rallye wheels, racing mirrors, side and lower deck stripes, a flat black hood with hood scoops, bucket seats, and a unique grille all as standard equipment. The biggest engine available was the 318, and the appearance package was topped off by a little cartoon tornado with eyes logo on the back panel near the taillights. The Duster 340 (but not the base Duster or Twister) also received a new "sharktooth" grille.
Dodge re-rated all of its engines to the new SAE Net standard. The top of the line 340 saw its rating drop from 275 bhp SAE Gross to 240 bhp SAE Net. The Twister trim continued, but lost the unique hood and grille. All Dusters received a new set of long thin taillights, and standardized marker lights. The 198 Slant Six engine was dropped. The hood scoop was changed to a new dual snorkel scoop, similar to the 1970 Dodge Challenger T/A. The "Gold Duster", a new appearance trim was also introduced.
1973 saw the Duster 340 lose its unique grille and all Dusters received a new grille, bringing them in line with other A-body cars. The taillights were changed, and the old sleek bumpers were replaced with bulky bumpers to meet the new Federally mandated 5 mph standard. A new model, the Space Duster, was added. This model featured a fold down rear seat and folding trunk separator which resulted in over 50 cubic feet of cargo space.
1974 saw the most successful sales year for the Duster. Unfortunately, this would also be the year that the 340 V8 was dropped and replaced by the 360 V8. Despite the greater displacement, decent 245 bhp rating and greater torque, the heavier 360 engine couldn't match the outright performance of the old 340.
The Plymouth Duster's engines were detuned for 1975. The 360 V8 dropped from 245 bhp to 230 bhp. The Twister was discontinued.
The Plymouth Duster's engines were detuned again for 1976. The 360 V8 dropped another 10 bhp to just 220 bhp. New this year was the "Feather Duster." This ridiculously named trim would feature a slant six engine with a lightweight deck lid and special exhaust system and was tuned for maximum fuel economy. Available with either a three speed manual or automatic transmission, the Feather Duster could achieve over 30 mpg - a major accomplishment in 1976. There was also a "Spirit of 76" Duster that featured (drum roll ...) a "Spirit of 76" sticker on the rear quarter panels. This would be the last year of the A-body Dusters. The Duster name would continue on, but they would be on the F-body platform and resemble Volares.
Duster340 purchased his '75 Duster in September of 2006. He and his mom were driving down a 2 lane highway, and I saw the Duster. They drove passed it several times before for a few weeks, but one day he decided to ask his mother if they could pull over and check it out. (at this point in the story I invision Arnold in the movie Christine, where he saw that 58 and fell madly in love with it... just playing with you Duster ) Duster's mother had no problem with it. He looked at it, and figured that it would be a great starter project. They called the owner up and he was only asking $800 for it, so with his mothers permission he then bought it. They drove it home, and as you can imagine Duster was very exited about it. It would have been his very first project.
In all the excitement Duster was already making plans for it. Putting in a 340, giving it a 4 speed manual transmission, fixing it up. He had never been so stoked about something in his life. Duster just hated the idea of waiting so long before he could start fixing it. Since it was a Mopar A body, Duster knew it would be easy to obtain parts for cheap, and that's the reason he wanted it for a first project.
A few months ago Duster decided that it would only get worse and
worse,and decided to try and sale it. Just to see it go to a good home.
It really has lots of potential, but at this point in his life he can't fill in the gaps to make it a great car again. Duster did tell me he really will dread the day it rolls off our yard and on a flatbed.
Alot of us here can understand the heartache that comes with that very first dream car. Just keep a good outlook and someday you will Roll in a Muscle Car that you've always dreamed of. For now lots of luck on the sale and we hope you will find a great new owner that sees the potential in your car that you have.
He sent me some pictures of the car so if any of you are interested in maybe saving this ride, get hold of Duster340 by private message. I for one believe this will be someones dream car some day.
http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l16/Meep_87/Duster013.jpg
http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l16/Meep_87/Duster009.jpg
http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l16/Meep_87/Duster008.jpg
http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l16/Meep_87/Duster007.jpg
http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l16/Meep_87/Duster004.jpg
http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l16/Meep_87/Duster003.jpg
Try as I may getting more information was an difficult task. I did get the story behind his car and I'm going to give this a bit more content by giving you some background on the Duster.
The Plymouth Duster debuted in late 1969 as a 1970 model and was a sporty version of the Plymouth Valiant. The Duster featured curvy exterior styling and a rounded fastback look for the rear. The front end was the same as the Valiant. The interior was pure Valiant. The Duster was available with a variety of engines, ranging from two slant six cylinder engines to either a 318 V8 or a high performance 340 V8 rated at 275 bhp. It was the 340 V8, coupled with the Duster's extremely low price, that made it a hit. The base price was a mere $2,172 (only a little more than the 1960 Valiant) and included just the 198 Slant Six, a column mounted three speed manual transmission, and manual brakes and steering. However, any performance buyer would go straight to the 340 V8 option. For a mere $400, this option added the 340 V8 with four barrel carb, dual exhausts, floor mounted three-speed manual transmission, a 3.23:1 rear axle, a heavy duty suspension with larger diameter torsion bars, extra leaf springs, front stabilizer bar, front disc brakes, and a unique instrument panel that included a tachometer and 150 mph speedometer. At a total price of just $2,547, the Plymouth Duster 340 was much cheaper than either a Plymouth Road Runner ($2,900) or Mustang Mach I ($3,300).
The Twister, a new trim level between the Duster and the Duster 340, debuted for 1971. Basically a Duster with more standard features, the Twister featured Rallye wheels, racing mirrors, side and lower deck stripes, a flat black hood with hood scoops, bucket seats, and a unique grille all as standard equipment. The biggest engine available was the 318, and the appearance package was topped off by a little cartoon tornado with eyes logo on the back panel near the taillights. The Duster 340 (but not the base Duster or Twister) also received a new "sharktooth" grille.
Dodge re-rated all of its engines to the new SAE Net standard. The top of the line 340 saw its rating drop from 275 bhp SAE Gross to 240 bhp SAE Net. The Twister trim continued, but lost the unique hood and grille. All Dusters received a new set of long thin taillights, and standardized marker lights. The 198 Slant Six engine was dropped. The hood scoop was changed to a new dual snorkel scoop, similar to the 1970 Dodge Challenger T/A. The "Gold Duster", a new appearance trim was also introduced.
1973 saw the Duster 340 lose its unique grille and all Dusters received a new grille, bringing them in line with other A-body cars. The taillights were changed, and the old sleek bumpers were replaced with bulky bumpers to meet the new Federally mandated 5 mph standard. A new model, the Space Duster, was added. This model featured a fold down rear seat and folding trunk separator which resulted in over 50 cubic feet of cargo space.
1974 saw the most successful sales year for the Duster. Unfortunately, this would also be the year that the 340 V8 was dropped and replaced by the 360 V8. Despite the greater displacement, decent 245 bhp rating and greater torque, the heavier 360 engine couldn't match the outright performance of the old 340.
The Plymouth Duster's engines were detuned for 1975. The 360 V8 dropped from 245 bhp to 230 bhp. The Twister was discontinued.
The Plymouth Duster's engines were detuned again for 1976. The 360 V8 dropped another 10 bhp to just 220 bhp. New this year was the "Feather Duster." This ridiculously named trim would feature a slant six engine with a lightweight deck lid and special exhaust system and was tuned for maximum fuel economy. Available with either a three speed manual or automatic transmission, the Feather Duster could achieve over 30 mpg - a major accomplishment in 1976. There was also a "Spirit of 76" Duster that featured (drum roll ...) a "Spirit of 76" sticker on the rear quarter panels. This would be the last year of the A-body Dusters. The Duster name would continue on, but they would be on the F-body platform and resemble Volares.
Duster340 purchased his '75 Duster in September of 2006. He and his mom were driving down a 2 lane highway, and I saw the Duster. They drove passed it several times before for a few weeks, but one day he decided to ask his mother if they could pull over and check it out. (at this point in the story I invision Arnold in the movie Christine, where he saw that 58 and fell madly in love with it... just playing with you Duster ) Duster's mother had no problem with it. He looked at it, and figured that it would be a great starter project. They called the owner up and he was only asking $800 for it, so with his mothers permission he then bought it. They drove it home, and as you can imagine Duster was very exited about it. It would have been his very first project.
In all the excitement Duster was already making plans for it. Putting in a 340, giving it a 4 speed manual transmission, fixing it up. He had never been so stoked about something in his life. Duster just hated the idea of waiting so long before he could start fixing it. Since it was a Mopar A body, Duster knew it would be easy to obtain parts for cheap, and that's the reason he wanted it for a first project.
A few months ago Duster decided that it would only get worse and
worse,and decided to try and sale it. Just to see it go to a good home.
It really has lots of potential, but at this point in his life he can't fill in the gaps to make it a great car again. Duster did tell me he really will dread the day it rolls off our yard and on a flatbed.
Alot of us here can understand the heartache that comes with that very first dream car. Just keep a good outlook and someday you will Roll in a Muscle Car that you've always dreamed of. For now lots of luck on the sale and we hope you will find a great new owner that sees the potential in your car that you have.
He sent me some pictures of the car so if any of you are interested in maybe saving this ride, get hold of Duster340 by private message. I for one believe this will be someones dream car some day.
http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l16/Meep_87/Duster013.jpg
http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l16/Meep_87/Duster009.jpg
http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l16/Meep_87/Duster008.jpg
http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l16/Meep_87/Duster007.jpg
http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l16/Meep_87/Duster004.jpg
http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l16/Meep_87/Duster003.jpg