Decoding the VIN confirms that this 1971 Plymouth Duster was a mild-mannered vehicle when it left the showroom floor. However, times change, and the 440ci V8 occupying its engine bay should provide pretty brutal performance. It presents nicely, and if you’re not already tempted, a recent price drop could make this Duster irresistible. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Philbo427 for spotting the Plymouth listed here on eBay in Hilliard, Florida. Originally listed at $23,900, the seller has dropped their price to $22,900 OBO.
It is fair to say that by 1969, Plymouth’s Valiant range didn’t offer potential customers much excitement. It was against this backdrop that the company launched its Duster for the 1970 model year. Initially, the latest, sporting model wore Valiant badges, but these disappeared by the time our feature car rolled off the line in 1971. Finished in Gold Leaf Metallic with a Black hood and matching decals, this Duster presents acceptably for a driver-grade vehicle. Close inspection reveals paint imperfections that might motivate some potential buyers to contemplate a cosmetic refresh. However, with no major panel bumps or bruises and the underside shots confirming a lack of penetrating rust, the new owner could make that decision at their leisure. The glass is in good condition, as is the trim. It would be easy to dismiss this Duster as nothing special, but the enormous hood scoop, rear spoiler, American Racing Torq Thrust wheels, and the decals on the rear quarter panels hint that there is more to this Plymouth than meets the eye.
This Duster would have represented a triumph of style over substance in 1971. It possessed sporting looks, but the engine bay housed a 225ci slant-six, generating 145hp and 215 ft/lbs of torque. The result would have been acceptable performance, but who doesn’t want more power from their classic? This seller obviously did, because they consigned the six to the scrap heap. Instead, the engine bay now houses a 440ci V8, teamed with a three-speed TorqueFlite transmission, an 8¾” rear end, power steering, and front disc brakes. The seller is sparing with their information, though the intricate headers weaving through holes in the inner fenders suggest its V8 could be anything but standard. I would be shocked if it didn’t churn out at least 300hp, although a higher figure is possible if the seller performed internal upgrades. They recently rebuilt the front end, indicating that the rear end houses a gearset that makes the Duster an effective open-road cruiser. The Duster hasn’t seen much action in the eight years the seller has been its custodian, but I see nothing in the listing suggesting it is anything but a turnkey proposition.
While most readers will view the engine upgrade as this Duster’s highlight, its interior isn’t shabby. Trimmed in Black vinyl, its presentation is impressive. The seller helped its cause by recently installing a new headliner. That has eliminated what may have been its only genuine weakness. The upholstered surfaces look excellent, there is no carpet wear, and the dashpad is crack-free. What surprises me is that, considering the mechanical upgrades, there are no aftermarket gauges monitoring the car’s health. Overall, this interior ticks the boxes for those seeking an above-average driver.
If we ignore the decals on the rear quarter panels, the hood scoop, and the spoiler, it would be easy to consider this 1971 Plymouth Duster a genuine sleeper. However, lifting the hood reveals a world of high-performance, and while I prefer my classics unmolested, I know in my heart that this Duster would provide an entertaining driving experience. Enthusiasts would respect this car from the moment they spied its V8, and the impressive listing statistics confirm that potential buyers like what they see. If you crave Mopar muscle, could this relatively unassuming Duster be a contender to park in your garage?
This is a nice looking Duster and must be a blast to drive, at least on a straight road or the track. Those header cutouts are just plain scary though.
A Duster with bluster, that’s for sure. I think it would look nicer without the basket handle though. The seller mentions he rarely drives it, but it’s had front end work, hopefully to beef it up some, this engine is a whole lot heavier than the six it replaced.
Doesn’t drive it because it is an unbalanced car. Too front heavy to handle and too much power to get traction. Only good for a drag strip wearing slicks, otherwise a useless car.
Terry, diffinately had to change the k-frame to accommodate the V-8 therefore more heavy duty parts are a sure thing.
I could live without the rear spoiler. But, even worse than that is the bench seat and column shifter. Bucket seats and console would look a whole lot better. But other than that it’s a pretty good lookin’ car. Just my opinion, and yes I know about opinions.
1973 grille added…totally blacked out so hard to miss right off.
More like the entire front clip, not just the bumper.
Steve R
Going around a corner too fast might be a quick way to the next level of existence.
Does the brake fluid get too hot sitting on top of the headers?
Nice looking Duster but it needs some work. Need a asbestos shield for the brake lines and master cylinder. They did that in the early 60s on factory race cars. The 8 1/4 open rear most likely 2.71 gears won’t hold up too long. 8 3/4 with 3.90 posi would make this Duster into a Tornado 😂. I don’t mine the bench and column shifter. I see the k-frame is new from the 225 set up. The 440 sounds wicked wonder what cam is in it. I notice the stamped reads T 440. Not HP. This was a Chrysler 440 from a New Yorker example. It was corporate blue or light green don’t know the year of it. Before someone buys it better check it out. Especially the shock towers Since it was cut for the race headers. And what’s trans is in it? Otherwise its a Fun Mopar! Good luck to the next owner. 🇺🇸🐻
Nice Ruster!
Cool! There were kits available for A bodies to do a big block swap back the 90s. Since very few Mopar magazines are printed now, I wonder if those are still available? It included everything, headers, K member, brakes. Not cheap but done right 👌 it was always in Chrysler power magazine. I can’t remember that company now. This would be a fun car. Probably not fun changing plugs though
If you Google, Dart big block K member, you will find several kits.
Steve R
It’s SOLD. Odd to remove the great looking 71 front clip/grill and replace it with this one. Major front end repair? That and the fender cutouts are the only thing holding the price down, even if it does have a 440.
It does present very well and the color combo is as nice as I have seen for a gold car. 440 is slanted the wrong way, tires are undersized. No way the radiator will cool this engine. Just a bunch of little nits.
Still, a bunch of serious muscle for a reasonable cost. It pretty easy to get these into the 12’s. Someone did well to snap this up.
Nice looking car. But that looks like a 1973-76 Plymouth Duster. My older brother had one 40 yrs. ago.
The Duster is in the wind. It sold for $22,900.
I agree with others that the rear spoiler is useless and unnecessary – and IMO – detracts from its looks, and with the ‘440’ decal in constant hard-brake mode (put on the wrong side of the car) it’s looks take another hit there – and cutting out the fenders for unnecessary headers is way over the top – regular exhaust manifolds for this engine would not reduce the horsepower output enough to be noticed – and as someone else noticed; the brake fluid will indeed come to a boil on any long highway trip as it sits right on top of the left header – the new owner needs a heat shield installed there – very badly. If the seller had been more realistic – and less 12-year-old-out-of-control – on the rebuild/design, he would have spent a LOT less $$$ and would still have got his initial asking price.
I agree, not the original front body clip.
Definitely needs heat protection for the brake hydraulics.
No need for aftermarket gauges as long as the FULL factory gsuges are operating correctly. Pretty car with alot of
“EYE BALL”. But built for resale and will still need some sorting. I hope the new owner does due diligence on the required items before cruising and 1/4 mile fun. I’m betting a stock low horsepower engine here. Still plenty of torque but for what it is, will be somewhat slow in the traps.
I was way too young at the time to drive a car. My older brother had a 1973, possibly a 1974 Plymouth Duster. I personally would’ve preferred the 1970-72 Duster, but this is nice.
The Good: V8 swap in place of the Slant 6, generally rust-free condition. The Bad: Needs work to finish the swap, with various upgrades and fixes still missing, moving the column shifter to the floor, heat protection for the brakes and a bigger rear end with limited slip diff among them. The understeer with that big 440 under the hood must be amazing! The Ugly: Side decals, hood scoop, rear spoiler and amateur black paint accents, all done poorly. The Verdict: Lots of potential but lots of work to do and money to spend to make this one a star! It would be better with a console, floor shifter and bucket seats. Also, I think that a 340 V8 would have been a better choice for this car, with almost as much power as the 440, but with much less weight on the nose for better handling. Oh, and the original “shark gill” grille from a ’71 would have been much better looking than the blacked out ’73 grille that’s on the car now! Just sayin’.
Totally agree on all counts.
Don’t understand everyone bagging on the interior. Leave the column shift, make sure the factory gauges are correct. Small shift light on the column & remove the 440 callouts. Imperial mufflers& don’t open the hood. Lots of hurt feelies on cruise night ;)
We all want style, and I’m no exception. And I’ve always loved the 1970-72 and 74-76 Plymouth Valiant Duster. What matters to me is what’s underneath the style. I like the powertrain, whether it’s a 3.7 litre slant six engine or a V8 engine.